Design Awards 2025

The 6th annual Department of Design Awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of final year students studying in our six Design specialisms of Graphic Design, Illustration with Animation, Craft, Textiles in Practice, Product Design and Interior Design. We will also be announcing the winner of the PAC Global Inclusive Packaging Design Award with Kellogg’s and the inaugural Manchester School of Art Vertical Gallery Commissions Awards.

The awards are made in recognition of academic excellence, original contributions to the subject specialism and impact into the global contexts of innovation, sustainability, health, society, culture, and community. There will be a Winner and Highly Commended in each category

Results were announced by the Head of Design Shelley McNulty at the opening of the Manchester School of Art Degree Show private view on 6 June 2025 in the Lowry Building.

Design Breakthrough Award

An individual who has demonstrated creative excellence through the inter-connected possibilities of art or design practice; challenging the norms of their specialism which has led to responses in new and unexpected directions.

Winner:

• Lily Everard — BA (Hons) Textiles in Practice

Highly Commended:

• Astrid Davis — BA (Hons) Product Design and Craft

Shortlisted:

• Jemima Williams — BA (Hons) Graphic Design
• Maisie Green — BA (Hons) Illustration with Animation
• Claudia Hills — BA (Hons) Product Design
• Beatrice Allen — BA (Hons) Interior Design

Design Studio Practice Award

Projects which demonstrate exemplary innovation and or execution in craft, making or digital processes across any medium, such as drawing, typography, print, weave, digital modelling, film, physical artefacts and other means of communication or practice development.

Winner:

• Molly Wrigley — BA (Hons) Interior Design

Highly Commended:

• Ann Dinh — BA (Hons) Illustration with Animation

Shortlisted

• Sioned Riffel — BA (Hons) Graphic Design
• Rebecca Price — BA (Hons) Textiles in Practice
• Isaac Williams — BA (Hons) Product Design
• Louisa Akka — BA (Hons) Product Design and Craft

Design Futures Award

Projects which address the future art or design landscape, including responses to political, economic and social shifts and challenges including the innovative use of design or rethinking of a familiar art or design practice with an original purpose/outcome. 

Winner:

• Oonah Illingworth — BA (Hons) Product Design and Craft

Highly Commended:

• Sakina Yusuf — BA (Hons) Product Design

Shortlisted:

• Esme Fairbrother — BA (Hons) Graphic Design
• Danella Kisanga — BA (Hons) Illustration with Animation
• Haanin Shafeeque — BA (Hons) Textiles in Practice
• Brigid Keighran — BA (Hons) Interior Design

Design Award for Community, Diversity & Inclusion

Projects which address art and design in the context of community including issues of social justice and equity, and fundamental human rights and dignity for all.

Winner:

• Coco Day — BA (Hons) Illustration with Animation

Highly Commended:

• Mohammed Khadim Farhan — BA (Hons) Product Design

Shortlisted:

• Ella Shiangkwang — BA (Hons) Graphic Design
• Eleanor Godfrey — BA (Hons) Textiles in Practice
• Astrid Davis — BA (Hons) Product Design and Craft
• Amilee Brotodihardjo — BA (Hons) Interior Design

Design Contexts Award

A dissertation, essay, report or alternative submission which demonstrates exemplary research and critical analysis of cultural and professional contexts in the field of art and design.

Winner:

• Freya Boothroyd — BA (Hons) Product Design and Craft

Highly Commended:

• Billy Shrimpton — BA (Hons) Graphic Design

Shortlisted:

• Danella Kisanga — BA (Hons) Illustration with Animation
• Eleanor Godfrey — BA (Hons) Textiles in Practice
• Mubeen Ghafoor — BA (Hons) Product Design
• Beatrice Allen — BA (Hons) Interior Design
• Virajeeta Hoda — BA (Hons) International Graphic Design Top Up
• Amilee Sharon Brotodihardjo — BA (Hons) International Interior Design Top Up

Design Global Vision: Creative Solutions Award

This award celebrates creative projects that use design or other artistic mediums—such as illustration, visual storytelling, or digital art—to address critical global challenges. We seek work that demonstrates how creativity can actively drive meaningful social, environmental, and cultural impact that transcends borders to shape a brighter global future. 

Winner:

• Julia (Ahyun) Yoon — BA (Hons) Graphic Design

Highly Commended:

• Soshaangan Opio-Te — BA (Hons) Product Design
• Megan Morley — BA (Hons) Textiles in Practice

Shortlisted:

• Amilee Sharon Brotodihardjo — BA (Hons) International Interior Design Top Up

PAC Global Inclusive Packaging Design Award with Kellogg’s

This is a Manchester Met Design Department specific award in collaboration with PAC Global and Kellogg’s to recognise and support students with innovative and inclusive packaging design ideas.

Priorities are given to students from marginalised groups and the prize is worth €1,000. Students for this award were nominated by programme leaders in Design. The award was selected by a panel chaired by Dr Jea Na, Jon Spruce and John Walsh from the Design postgraduate team, and the winner announced as part of Design Department Degree Show awards.

Please note, the group entries and individual entries were judged as equals: 

Winner:

• Pringles StackShare Team
  Nirmeeti (Nemo) Borkar - MA Design Innovation
  Mubeen Ghafoor - BA (Hon) Product Design
  Klaudia Klomfar - MA Graphic Design and Art Direction
  Sakina Yusuf - BA (Hon) Product Design

Highly Commended: 

• Jessica Pritchard - MA Illustration

Shortlisted:

• Fruit Winders Team
  Aditi Daulatani - BA (Hon) Product Design
  Angie Fernandes - BA (Hon) Product Design
  Thomas Fish - BA (Hon) Product Design
   
• Mariana Moreno - MA Product Design