Lana takes building design top honours

“When they read my name out, I honestly thought I heard it wrong. I don’t usually go to events like that, so the whole night felt like one big new experience. It was exciting and a bit nerve-wracking,” said Lana.

A recent graduate of the Diploma of Interior Design (MSF50222), the award is a significant milestone early in her career - one she hopes will encourage others to back themselves creatively.

“I hope it inspires people to study what they enjoy at any stage of life, and to put their work into competitions, even just for fun,” she said.

Her passion for interior design began shortly after high school, when she realised she could combine her love of art with her love of connecting with people. Her winning project captured the judges’ attention with its charm and originality.

Tasked with designing a retail concept, she created a whimsical tea shop inspired by the glasshouses found in old British storybooks, merging that sense of wonder with the sleek, contemporary feel of Brisbane’s cityscape.

She chose a playful but refined palette - copper greens, pale blue benchtops, burnt orange mesh, and deep brown flooring - carefully balancing colour with simple shapes and lines to ensure the space felt fun yet cohesive.

Every piece of joinery had a purpose, from shelving and bar benches to the point-of-sale counter and a striking glass-and-copper archway that anchors the entire design. Her commitment to sustainability guided her material choices, prioritising Australian products and local manufacturers wherever possible.

The feature she’s most proud of is how faithfully her Twinmotion renders captured the space exactly as she imagined it.

“The glass and copper archway is particularly fun and creates such an enjoyable customer experience,” she said.

Lana’s journey to this point has been shaped heavily by her time at TAFE Queensland. Before enrolling, she was unable to use Revit, read plans, or draw elevations.

Eighteen months later, she feels well-prepared for real-world design work, and she credits her teachers for their unwavering support.

They were available even on days without scheduled classes, as well as how guest speakers and past students broadened her perspective with new ideas, products, and materials.

Visiting the site where her conceptual shop would be located helped her determine the scale and context, grounding her design. For Lana, this environment was exactly what she needed.

“The smaller class sizes meant teachers could personally work with each student, which I found extremely helpful,” she said.

After previously completing a Certificate III in Visual Arts (CUA31120), she once again found the practical, hands-on nature of TAFE both challenging and incredibly rewarding.

Winning the award has strengthened her confidence and broadened her perspective on what might come next.

Currently working in a small architecture firm, she is drawn to intimate, personalised projects - tiny homes, unusual residential builds, and spaces where creativity meets purpose.

“Being able to create something personalised that people will spend most of their time in is really an honour. I enjoy what I do, and seeing the results of my work is what drives me,” she explained.

Further study is on the horizon eventually, not out of necessity but out of pure enjoyment, and her advice for future interior design students is simple:

“Go for it. If you put enjoyment and effort into your study, you’ll learn so much and set yourself up for your future.”

“The challenges are worth it, and seeing your finished projects in renders or videos is incredibly satisfying.”

“I started the course without really knowing what to expect, and honestly, it was exciting to try something new. I’m pretty pleased with how it all went,” concluded Lana.