After a rigorous judging process, Australian Design Review (ADR)’s 30UNDER30 Interior and Product Designers cohort for 2024/2025 is revealed below.

In 2024, ADR launched its third annual 30UNDER30 stream, turning its attention to emerging interior and product designers for a second time since the recognition and mentorship program first launched in 2022. 

30UNDER30 by numbers

30UNDER30 received a record number of entries from around the country in 2024, which our shortlist judges – SJB senior associate of people and culture Hamish Ginn and BVN head of people and character Brian Clohessy – whittled down to a shortlist of just 68.

Our 30UNDER30 mentors then faced the tough task of turning 68 into 30. This stream’s mentors include Williams Burton Leopardi director Sophia Leopardi, Breville head of industrial design Chris Hardy, Woods Bagot principal Eva Sue, Richards Stanisich co-founder Kirsten Stanisich and Mim Design founding director and principal Miriam Fanning.

“Cutting down to just 30 was not an easy task, which is where the diverse and sometimes opposing views of the jury panel were crucial in finding our top 30 from the many worthy applicants,” Leopardi says.

Hardy was equally impressed by the quality of entries and says identifying only 30 finalists was “quite a process”.

“I looked at the entries through the lens of assessing the design output equally as much as through the lens of developing an understanding of the individual behind the work,” he says.

The final 30 cohort the mentors have selected represents a breadth of design talent from around the country, covering Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia. Some of these designers are sole practitioners, while others work in large, medium and small practices across varied typologies and areas of specialisation.

“The common thread that unites the final 30 is individuality,” Sue says. “Each brings a unique perspective and creative voice.”

ADR’s 30UNDER30 for 2024/2025

Without further ado, ADR presents the 30UNDER30 Interior and Product Designers cohort for 2024/2025:

Annie MacLean

Annie Paxton

Ashleigh Sullivan

Billie Murphy

Charlotte Paule

Cristina Margherita Napoleone

Dalton Stewart

Daniella Bassin

Despina Carpis Tsathas

Eddie Poate

Eloise McCullough

Florence Davies

Ilianna Ginnis

Julia Prell

Kaila Cicchini

Kate Riley

Katherine Luu

Lachlan Mackay

Margot Lapalus

Mariah Burton

Maryam Moghadam

Nina Matyas

Rachel Santos

Samantha Wardle

Siena Crestani

Soozy Lee

Sophie Kebbell

Tamara Glick

Taylah Cheeseman

Vincent Tsang

Learn more about each entrant here.

A cohort of ‘self-aware’ designers

Leopardi congratulated each entrant who put their work and themselves out there.

“The talent, depth, care and bravery it takes is seen and appreciated,” she says.

For Leopardi, the designers who stood out demonstrated how their approach could reach beyond aesthetics and make a greater impact. What unites the 30 the jury ultimately selected is a strong connection to themselves that could be tapped into to unlock the unique value they have to offer the world. 

“It’s not about having it all figured out or being a ‘fully formed’ designer, but being willing to reflect and understand where their ‘sweet spot’ of contribution lies,” she says. 

“This self-awareness serves as a crucial foundation to make the most of the program and foster continued growth.”

What’s next?

The final 30 will attend a high-performance leadership and creative retreat at Bali’s Potato Head, taking place from 16 to 19 May. Serving as the pinnacle of the program, the retreat offers a unique opportunity for the cohort to immerse in an environment designed to spark creativity, expand perspectives, and foster deep connections with each other and their mentors.

Both Leopardi and Stanisich know what to expect from the retreat having attended as mentors in the inaugural 2022/2023 program.

“I am excited to see the possibilities that each of the recipients could bring to the future of Australian interior and product design with their fresh and innovative thinking,” Stanisich says.

What excites first-time 30UNDER30 mentor Sue most is the potential for each mentee’s depth of personal and professional growth.

“Seeing how their paths unfold, intersect and inspire one another to positively contribute to the future of the interior design and product design industry is what makes this program truly transformative,” she says.

With 30UNDER30, ADR’s ultimate goal is to empower the next generation of interior and product designers with the resources, insights and exposure needed to make a lasting impact. 

At the completion of the 2024/2025 program, the 30UNDER30 2025/2026 program will welcome entries from architects and innovators of the built world when it launches in September 2025.Sponsors

All of this would not be possible without our generous sponsors and partners.

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