Swinburne graduates recognised by Design Institute of Australia
In Summary
- Riley Griffiths won the Graduate of the Year Award for Visual Communication
- Chrissa Drossopolous won the Graduate of the Year Award for Interior Architecture
Swinburne design graduates have once again been recognised with awards from the Design Institute of Australia Victoria and Tasmania Branch (DIA VIC-TAS).
Riley Griffiths and Chrissa Drossopolous won the Graduate of the Year Award (GOTYA) in their respective categories.
Visual Communication
Riley Griffiths and graphic designer Peter Lambert at the GOTYAs.
Mr Griffiths received the Graduate of the Year Award in the Visual Communication category.
“The award is a well-earned and highly deserved accolade,” says Dr Christopher Waller, Swinburne lecturer and Bachelor of Design course director.
“Riley’s success is the latest in an unbroken run of podium finishes, since the GOTYAs first started in 2011. Our Swinburne Communication Design graduates have been recognised with the Visual Communication Design Graduate of the Year Award every year, except one.”
Mr Griffiths completed a Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (Honours) in 2017 and is now working at Cornwell Design. He is thrilled to have won the prestigious award.
“The DIA is a greatly respected organisation and I was humbled to win amongst the many very talented nominees in my category. I’m also very appreciative of the tireless work the School of Design staff put in to each student,” says Mr Griffiths.
DIA VIC TAS judge Peter Lambert described Mr Griffith’s work as demonstrating “a high level of conceptual creativity, sophistication, clarity and resolution.”
Interior Architecture
Chrissa Drossopolous receiving her GOTYA from Dale O'Brien.
Ms Drossopolous received the Graduate of the Year Award in the Interior Architecture category.
“Not only did Chrissa exhibit a sound understanding of the design process and demonstrate professionalism in both technique and presentation, each project at its core had a level of empathy and understanding of the end user backed up by a solid design story,” says Interior Design judge Dale O’Brien.
Ms Drossopolous’ commitment to her studies has set her up for a promising design career, says Course Director of Interior Architecture, Dr Kirsten Day.
“Chrissa has developed into a very successful professional all-rounder. Her Capstone design for Campbell’s Arcade at Flinders Street Station is a sophisticated development of an engaging new public space,” says Dr Day.
Further recognition
Swinburne graduates were also recognised across three categories:
Visual communication design
Graduate of the year: Riley Griffiths
Interior design
Graduate of the year: Chrissa Drossopolous
Finalist: Stephanie Vear
Runner up: Thi Vo
Industrial design
Runner up: Chris Koc
Victorian and Tasmanian tertiary institutes nominated their most talented 2017 design graduates for the GOTYAs. A panel of judges from each design discipline assessed anonymous portfolios in each field on design solutions, transferable workplace skills and the graduate’s predicted impact on the Australian design industry.