Future of design industry recognised at first ever Swinburne Top Designs Awards

Swinburne University of Technology has celebrated four of Victoria’s most promising young designers as part of the annual Top Designs exhibition at Melbourne Museum.

With works across mediums including furnishing, communication design and product design, and themes of technology, materiality, sustainability, and community practice, this year’s exhibition explores the work of 81 high-achieving students from schools across Victoria.

A panel of experienced Swinburne design academics, along with experts from Museums Victoria, selected four award winners from the exhibiting students. They were chosen for their conceptual quality, execution and innovation, as well as their feasibility, sustainability, and potential for impact.

Professor Blair Kuys, Executive Dean of Swinburne’s School of Design and Architecture, said the four winners showed remarkable talent and insight.

“Good design shapes the way we think, feel and interact with the world around us,” Professor Kuys said.

“It’s so encouraging and exciting to see some of Victoria’s brightest young minds rise to the challenges we face in our everyday lives, and also the challenges of the future.”

“The quality and consideration put into the works in the exhibition made it a strong competition for us to judge, and we’re very proud to have such a wealth of young design talent right here in Victoria.”

Reflecting on the works featured in this years’ exhibition, Museums Victoria CEO & Director, Lynley Crosswell, said it’s inspiring to see how thoughtfully students respond to the world around them.

“These projects show young people using design to improve safety, support wellbeing and make everyday life more accessible for others. It’s a powerful example of learning that’s practical, creative and deeply connected to community.”  

Top Designs is presented as part of the VCE Season of Excellence, a five-month annual festival showcasing outstanding works across art, design, technology, multimedia, film, dance, theatre, drama, music, literature and research – all created by exceptional VCE students. 

Chosen by expert panels from nine VCE and VCE VET design and technology subjects, the exhibition highlights projects that respond directly to the challenges shaping contemporary life and reflecting a distinct approach to problem-solving, underpinned by research, experimentation and technical skill.

The exhibition is supported by Swinburne as part of a new three-year learning partnership with Museums Victoria which will deliver a suite of flagship exhibitions, festivals and education programs.

Throughout the partnership, Swinburne will collaborate with Museums Victoria to engage students in STEM principles and design thinking.

Top Designs exhibition will be held at Melbourne Museum from Saturday 11 April to Sunday 26 July 2026. 

Swinburne Top Designs Award Winners and Highly Commended artists

Product Design

Winner: Ophelia Cravo (AuraAthletic Sports Water Bottle & Storage Compartment, St Michael's Grammar School)

Highly Commended: Aliyah McCarroll (Sleeping Bag Jacket, Yarra Valley Grammar)

Highly Commended: Emma Best (Nesting Tables, Gippsland Grammar School)

Visual Communication Design

Winner: Katie Ho (Snug as a Bug, Box Hill High School)

Highly Commended: Yat Yeung (RIDE WITH A SHELL, Yarra Valley Grammar)

Engineering Design & Technology

Winner: Max Drake (Dual-Axis Solar Tracking System, Kardinia International College)

Highly Commended: Liam Holmes (Reforestation Rover, St Helena Secondary College)

Digital Media Design

Winner: Darcie Alderton-Nutter (Patrick's Playtime, Mildura Senior College)

Highly Commended: Rosanna Ly (Pride, Caulfield Grammar School)