What are you doing these days and what have been your career highlights since the award?

Since the award I have progressed to a senior role in the Warren and Mahoney Sydney studio. I am currently taking the interior design lead on projects further integrated with the architectural team, a goal that I discussed in my presentation. Adapting my customer experience approach to larger site specific projects in the education sector has been challenging and rewarding.

Once you became a finalist… how was it presenting to a live audience (nerve racking, informative, inspiring, none of the above?!)

Definitely nerve racking and an intense challenge! When the moment came I focused on presenting to the judges within the room but it was a great feeling to know that my friends, family and colleagues were able to watch and share this experience with me. Warren and Mahoney also held live screenings across all studios which added to the pressure!

Were you expecting to hear your name as the winner on the awards night? What was your first word when you heard it announced?

Being given the opportunity to craft this presentation and communicate my approach to design (and not crumble under pressure!) was an incredible personal achievement.

Of course I wanted to win but really I had no expectations and I was already immensely satisfied with reaching the top three. I think I was speechless and said something about feeling a bit emotional!

What was the reaction from friends and colleagues?

I received incredible support throughout the process and I think everyone was more confident about the win than I was!

You have also written about designing for millennials… what would be your one key piece of advice for anyone doing so?

Take risks! In my perspective piece, I discuss that as designers we must be agile and adept at responding to this generation’s rapidly changing needs. It’s exciting to be a designer now; challenging traditional interior typologies and creating something unexpected that connects with people.

Where does your trophy live?

I am very protective of the award, so the trophy lives on my bedside table! I see it as a daily reminder to be confident in my skills as a designer.

What did you do with the $1,500 prize money?

My family lives in New Zealand and Queensland, so I had a delayed celebration with them in Brisbane and Cairns.

Would you recommend people enter the awards?

I would definitely recommend entering this award. For me, this process came at a critical time, because in this profession it is easy to become focused on your current projects and daily challenges.

It is a rare opportunity to take the time and self-reflect on how much you have learnt so far and to remember your motivation behind becoming a designer. I found the end result was a reignited purpose behind my design work and a greater sense of clarity for the future direction of my career.

To be eligible for the Emerging Design Professional category, entrants must be aged 35 years of age or under, either employed in a design or architecture practice; or self-employed.

Entries can be submitted through the Interior Awards website until Wednesday 2 May 2018.