Nexus Designs champions the next generation of design talent
We are pleased to announce Lucinda Everist is the winner of the 2024 Nexus Designs Janne Faulkner Prize for Design Excellence at RMIT. Established I 2019 in memory of Nexus Designs founder, Janne Faulkner, the prize is awarded annually to recognise the most outstanding 2nd year RMIT student enrolled in either the Diploma of Interior Design, the Associate Degree of Interior Decoration and Design, or the Associate Degree of Graphic Design.
Lucinda, a graduate of RMIT’s Associate Degree in Interior Decoration and Design, will receive both a monetary prize and an internship at Nexus Designs to further develop her industry skills and portfolio.
Grace Leung, a fellow graduate of the aforementioned degree, was also awarded a Special Commendation and will receive a Design Institute of Australia membership and mentorship from Nexus Designs.
Both were presented with their awards at a ceremony held at Abbotsford Convent in Melbourne on Thursday 21 November after the judging panel selected them based on their submissions, a selection of projects focussed on residential and workplace interior design.
Taking inspiration from patterns for living and considerations of negative space and light, Lucinda’s submissions included a co-working space with design references to Carlton’s art deco history and a collaboration with Melbourne furniture maker Bridge to develop customer furniture for a small office interior in the CBD.
Informed by strong sense of composition, concept development and administrative co-ordination, Grace presented projects such as a Fitzroy Warehouse with a Bauhaus spirit and a Tiny House Greenhouse Sanctuary for a couple who are avid green fingers and horticulturists.
Sonia Simpfendorfer, Director at Nexus Designs, praised Lucinda and Grace for their considered and process-driven approach, saying, “They demonstrated a diverse range of inspirations and showed a flexibility of thinking and appreciation of the history of design as well looking to the future.”
Jenny Crowley, Program Manager of Interior Design and Decoration at RMIT, congratulated the duo, saying, “I believe this will be lifechanging because it will give them both an amazing insight into a high-end multidisciplinary studio that will enable them to gain valuable experience and further develop their skills.”
Two other awards were announced on the night, with Nora Guliner, a graduate of RMIT’s Associate Degree of Interior Decoration and Design snaring the Cultivated Sustainability Award and first year Interior Design student Camilo Cruz winning the Cosentino Kitchen Award for their respective projects.
Image credits: Isabella Amy & James Geer