Entries are now open for the Design Institute of Australia’s Graduates of the Year Awards (GOTYA), a national program spotlighting the country’s most promising emerging designers.
Established in 2003, GOTYA is the only initiative of its kind in Australia, connecting early career practitioners with leading industry figures through a rigorous two-stage judging process. Universities, TAFEs and registered training organisations nominate their top graduates, whose work is then anonymously reviewed by an expert jury. Shortlisted finalists progress to an interview round, offering rare face-to-face exposure to key voices in the design industry.
The program spans four categories reflecting the breadth of contemporary practice. “Place” covers spatial disciplines such as interior, retail and public design; “Use” focuses on objects, from furniture and fashion to sustainable product design; “Interact” addresses digital and experiential fields including UX, game and service design; while “Convey” captures communication-based practices such as graphic design, branding and data visualisation.
Beyond recognition, GOTYA is widely regarded as a career launchpad, with finalists and winners gaining valuable industry connections and visibility at a pivotal moment in their professional development.
Nominations close on 29 May, with final submissions due by 22 June. Judging will take place across July, and winners are set to be announced in August.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
