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 will be announced by 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.

Shortlisted:

• BA (Hons) Graphic Design — Jemima Williams
• BA (Hons) Illustration with Animation — Maisie Green
• BA (Hons) Textiles in Practice — Lily Everard
• BA (Hons) Product Design — Claudia Hills
• BA (Hons) Product Design and Craft — Astrid Davis
• BA (Hons) Interior Design — Beatrice Allen

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.

Shortlisted

• BA (Hons) Graphic Design — Sioned Riffel
• BA (Hons) Illustration with Animation — Ann Dinh
• BA (Hons) Textiles in Practice — Rebecca Price
• BA (Hons) Product Design — Isaac Williams
• BA (Hons) Product Design and Craft — Louisa Akka
• BA (Hons) Interior Design — Molly Wrigley

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. 

Shortlisted:

• BA (Hons) Graphic Design — Esme Fairbrother
• BA (Hons) Illustration with Animation — Danella Kisanga
• BA (Hons) Textiles in Practice — Haanin Shafeeque
• BA (Hons) Product Design — Sakina Yusuf
• (Hons) Product Design and Craft — Oonah Illingworth
• BA (Hons) Interior Design — Brigid Keighran

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.

Shortlisted:

• BA (Hons) Graphic Design — Ella Shiangkwang
• BA (Hons) Illustration with Animation — Coco Day
• BA (Hons) Textiles in Practice — Eleanor Godfrey
• BA (Hons) Product Design — Mohammed Farhan
• BA (Hons) Product Design and Craft — Astrid Davis
• BA (Hons) Interior Design — Amilee Brotodihardjo

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.

Shortlisted:

• BA (Hons) Graphic Design — Billy Shrimpton
• BA (Hons) Illustration with Animation — Danella Kisanga
• BA (Hons) Textiles in Practice — Eleanor Godfrey
• BA (Hons) Product Design — Mubeen Ghafoor
• BA (Hons) Product Design and Craft — Freya Boothroyd
• BA (Hons) Interior Design — Beatrice Allen

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. 

Shortlisted:

• BA (Hons) Graphic Design — Julia (Ahyun) Yoon
• BA (Hons) Product Design — Soshaangan Opio-Te
• BA (Hons) Interior Design — Harry Colton

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 will be given to students from marginalised groups and the prize will be €1,000. Students for this award were nominated by programme leaders in Design. The award will be selected by a panel chaired by Dr Jea Na, Jon Spruce and John Walsh from the Design postgraduate team - with the winner announced as part of Design Dept Degree show awards.