Sherwin-Williams‘ tenth annual Student Design Challenge proves that creativity and inspired design is flourishing in design schools across North America. This year’s competition, announced earlier this year, honored three top designs in residential and commercial spaces, along with a “fan favorite” winner that was chosen by a popular vote on Facebook.
“With the competition now in its tenth year, we have high expectations for submissions – and they delivered. Each year, we are blown away by the depth of creativity these students show,” said Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, in a press statement. “Their work demonstrates that the power of design is real and incredibly relevant. Sherwin-Williams applauds our next generation that will face both new challenges and new opportunities.”
Wadden served on this year’s design judging panel, along with Nicole White, CEO and principal designer of Nicole White Designs Interiors; and Sven Shockey, vice president and design director at SmithGroup. Of course, captivating and comprehensive color stories were a major part of the Sherwin-Williams submissions, and the winners used an impressive paint scheme.
In the Residential category, first place was awarded to Marya Wozniuck of American Rivers College in Sacramento, California. Her beautiful New York City penthouse design was inspired by spring, and features breathtaking natural colors to match.
“Keeping spring in mind, I chose colors that are soft and gentle, yet bold and captivating,” said Wozniuck in a statement. “In the master bedroom, the charming color Lime Granita SW 6715 saturates the room with a sense of nature in springtime. In the living area, Pink Shadow SW 0070 in association with Westhighland White SW 7566 harmonizes wonderfully with eclectic custom furnishings and unique decorations. The colors achieve an elegant statement that fills the area with a sense of comfort, peace, playfulness and even a little romance.”
In this category, second place was awarded to Katie Krauter of Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis in Indiana, and third place went to Natasha Di Paola of Humber College in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The fan favorite award for residential design was presented to Alexis Judy of East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina.
In the Commercial category, first place was awarded to Andre Silvestre of Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts for the second year in a row. He created a design for a community center in Boston that is inspired by the industry tone-setting Sherwin-Williams 2020 Colormix Forecast, where he brings the trendy and vibrant Play palette to life. We could easily see guests of all ages enjoying a space like this in the middle of a busy city.
“Sherwin-Williams 2020 Color of the Year, Naval SW 6244, greets you at reception. The eye is drawn quickly to the double-layered trim the circuits the entire ceiling in vivid Auric SW 6692 and Oceanside SW 6496,” said Silvestre in a statement. “A meeting space in Aquarium SW 6767 invites collaboration, and a dominant wall in Naval connects the second and third floors.”
In this category, second place went to Hannah Halvorson of Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, while Ankita Gogne of California State Polytechnic in San Luis Obispo, California, took home third. Fan favorite for commercial design was awarded to Robbie Deason of the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia.
Congratulations to all of the talented students involved with this year’s competition! To see a complete gallery of work from this year’s standout competitors, be sure to follow this link to our photos page.
