Australian Design Review (ADR) today unveils its third annual 30UNDER30 shortlist, recognising 68 emerging Australian interior designers and product designers from 61 different practices who are creating meaningful change through their projects.

ADR’s 30UNDER30 is a recognition and mentorship program that uplifts and connects young talent within Australia’s design community at a pivotal and challenging juncture in their careers. 

The judging process

Around 200 entries were received in the 30UNDER30 2024/2025 Interior and Product Design stream across the country.

To develop the shortlist, Australian Design Review convened an independent judging panel, which included SJB senior associate of people and culture Hamish Ginn and BVN head of people and character Brian Clohessy.

Ginn says the submissions received this year reflect the strong breadth of young talent in the interior and product design fields.

“I am very appreciative of the time and effort put into the submissions and congratulate the candidates on demonstrating their capabilities with a high level of clarity,” he says.

Clohessy says the judging panel was impressed by the entrants’ achievements so early in their careers.

“Just applying for 30UNDER30 showcases the passion, self-reflection and time each entrant has invested, as well as the bravery to put themselves ‘out there’,” he says.

Five leaders in interior and product design will select and mentor the final 30, which will be announced in February. This includes: 

• Sophia Leopardi, director at architecture practice Williams Burton Leopardi
• Chris Hardy, head of industrial design at Breville
• Eva Sue, principal at multidisciplinary studio Woods Bagot
• Kirsten Stanisich, co-founder of  interior design practice Richards Stanisich, and
• Miriam Fanning, founding ​director and ​principal of ​interior ​design and architecture ​practice Mim Design.

These mentors will join the final 30 for a high-performance leadership and creativity retreat at Potato Head in Bali in 2025.

The 30UNDER30 2024/2025 Interior and Product Design stream shortlist 

Without further ado, ADR is thrilled to present the shortlist for the 30UNDER30 2024/2025 Interior and Product Design stream:

Australian Design Review’s 30UNDER30 Interior Design and Product Design stream is brought to you by major sponsor Neolith, alongside partners Interface, Miele and Tongue & Groove.

Australian Design Review is also grateful to our 30UNDER30 practice partners Arent&Pyke, BLP, BVN, Cera Stribley, COX Architecture, GroupGSA, Hassell, HDR, Richards Stanisich, Rothelowman, SJB and Williams Burton Leopardi for helping us foster the future of Australian design.

Lead image of Art Gallery Chairs by Tom Fereday Studio. Photo by Sean Fennessey, supplied by Vincent Tsang from the 30UNDER30 2024/2025 shortlist.