Australian Design Review (ADR) recently revealed the 30UNDER30 Interior and Product Designers for 2024/2025. To celebrate, we are getting to know each of these future Australian design stars, including Kate Riley, senior interior designer at Richards Stanisich, whose design ethos centres on human connection and capturing a complete narrative, much like her dream design collaborator, photographer Annie Leibovitz.

Australian Design Review: Do you remember your first encounter with design? 

Kate Riley: My earliest memories are made up of the spaces I was in rather than what I was doing. I can clearly recall things like the layout of a room, how people were interacting with it, how the furniture was arranged, and the journey to and from. 

It wasn’t until I started studying interior architecture that I connected this interest in places with design. In each studio project, I began focusing my concepts on human-centred design, how people interact with a space, the textures and patterns of materials, and how a space can make you feel. This was when I really started to understand how design shapes our experiences. 

ADR: What has been a highlight in your career so far? 

KR: I have been fortunate to work on a variety of commercial projects, with tight timelines, allowing me to see multiple projects through to completion. 

A key milestone was my first project, Esteban Restaurant in Sydney CBD, where I took a project lead role. Despite its smaller scale, this project had a significant impact on shaping my career direction. It gave me the opportunity to work closely with the client and their team, the head chef and the mixologist to understand all requirements and bring their vision together. 

Collaborating with a diverse range of consultants early in my career helped expand my knowledge of hospitality design, a skill I continue to refine with each new project, as each one presents new challenges and opportunities for learning.

More recently, I completed a retail project in Armadale, Victoria, for Australian jewellery designer Sarah & Sebastian. Through in-depth collaboration with the clients during the planning stages, we were able to create a space that truly reflected their brand identity. This was an interstate project and it was challenging not being able to visit the site regularly, however, it was a project where everyone involved was excited, creating a great working relationship. 

Handing over a commercial project is a unique experience as once the doors are open anyone can experience and interact with the space. It was really rewarding going into the Armadale store a few months after opening and getting to experience it during trade, full of people and functioning, as we had planned.

ADR: If you could work with any designer, artist or other creative – living or dead – who would it be and why?

KR: Annie Leibovitz. She has captured so many influential figures. Each photograph speaks for the subject, capturing a complete narrative in one frame.

ADR: What guiding values drive you and what kind of impact do you hope to make through your work?

KR: The initial process of getting to know clients and their brief is just as important to me as the completed project. I strive to build connections with my clients and take the time to learn about the journey they’ve been on – what inspired them, the challenges they’ve faced and how they’ve evolved. This enables me to resonate with their goals and develop additional layers to enhance the project. 

As I build connections in the industry it’s exciting to me to foster collaborations between smaller boutique specialist trades and give them a platform to be experienced. 

The impact I hope to achieve for each project is to create designs that contribute not just to the aesthetics of a space, but the functionality and overall experience it offers, making sure it resonates with people, both visually and emotionally. 

Designing in the commercial typology, my approach has evolved with an appreciation for design history and a growing curiosity about our evolving consumer society.  Consumerism is a controversial topic you tackle face on and it has heightened my focus on design to create value as an experience, in addition to the product. 

Achieving a balance between meeting the client’s brief and creating something that can be enjoyed by the public and enhance community and connection is what keeps me passionate about my work.

ADR: How did it feel to make it into Australian Design Review’s 30UNDER30?

KR: I am incredibly honoured to be selected and excited to see how this experience will impact my approach to design and place in the industry. I am also really looking forward to meeting and collaborating with everyone involved.

ADR’s 30UNDER30 Interior and Product Designers stream is brought to you by major sponsor Neolith, alongside Miele, Interface and Tongue & Groove. The program is also supported by practice partners Arent&Pyke, BLP, BVN, Cera Stribley, COX Architecture, GroupGSA, Hassell, HDR, Richards Stanisich, Rothelowman, SJB and Williams Burton Leopardi. To find out more about the final 30, head to the winners page.