Winners of the BIID Student Drawing Competition 2026

The BIID is delighted to announce the winners of its national Student Drawing Competition 2026

• Digital Category Winner Maja U Rutkowska Kingston University
• Hand Drawn Category Winner Lisa-Marie Falloon, British Academy of Interior Design
• Hybrid Category Winner Katy Hall, Birmingham City University 
   

Digital Winner 

Maja U Rutkowska, Kingston University - The Handwritten Letter Project

Judges’ comments

The brief responds to the rise in dementia cases in the UK, creating a living workshop where memories are put on paper and transformed into letters to loved ones. The judges were impressed with the challenge that the student set in the brief. The response implies a curative aspect to the design which is at once ambitious and pioneering. The concept was translated sensitively and beautifully in the entry. The execution was characterful too, making it memorable.

Judges were particularly impressed by:

• The entrant’s use of colours and the style of image which communicates a playful design
• The brief was incredibly challenging yet met with a highly creative idea
• The design was filled with warmth. The artist’s empathy and sensitivity to the subject leapt off the page.
• Strong concept to image translation. The judges had a real sense of the space.
• The concept was incredibly memorable with real originality.

Maja's comments

"I am honoured to have been selected as a winner in the Digital Drawing category among so many talented designers. I would like to thank the British Institute of Interior Design for this recognition and for the valuable feedback I received. This award is incredibly encouraging and inspires me to continue growing as a designer and further developing my skills."

Hand Drawn Winner 

Lisa-Marie Falloon, British Academy Of Interior Design – Industrial-Farmhouse Living

Judges’ comments

The brief was to merge two distinctive styles (farmhouse and industrial) into one coherent space that demonstrates sustainable practices. The judges praised the final design which was fully realised, stylistically met the brief and had a memorable quality.

Judges were particularly impressed by:

• The drawing itself, which is well drawn, is very atmospheric
• It draws you in, so you want to look for the details such as use of wood and beautiful decorative features
• It was easy to picture the space, the design feels realistic and deliverable
• By looking at the image the client would know exactly what they’re going to get
• The colouring was well done and added to the entry 

Lisa's comments

"I feel extremely grateful and honoured to have won this award. I pour a lot of heart and soul into my design concepts, and this has given me even more drive and motivation to pursue my dream of designing beautiful spaces. Thank you very much to BIID and all the judges."

Hybrid Winner 

Katy Hall, Birmingham City University - Synapse

Judges’ comments

This entry showcased an ambitious undertaking - exploring an efficacious design path intent on driving a higher sense of well-being for neurodiverse users. The entry is a creative response to a complex challenge and attempts to address the needs of neurodiverse individuals; it does this sensitively and beautifully, through creating an environment that adjusts in terms of spatial terms and lighting level contrasts to suit the user as he or she moves through the space. 

Judges commented:

• This was a highly original and creative idea.
• An ambitious and evocative concept that made the judging panel think
• The image itself is beautifully executed
• The entry demonstrates high technical ability 

Katy's comments

"I’m so grateful to the BIID for this recognition. Receiving such kind and thoughtful comments  recognizing the topic so close to my heart is a true honor. Thank you to this incredible organization for the opportunity.”" 

Highly Commended

The judges also awarded Highly Commended accolades to:

Digital

Due to the high quality and volume of entries in this category, the judges have agreed for this year to award two Highly Commended awards.

Amber Padua - Stussy Undercurrent

Judges comments

The judges commended a highly accurate drawing that demonstrated great technical proficiency. The final entry was highly professional.

Yuyin Lin Between Pool and Wild

Judges comments:

The judges were impressed with the sense of warmth that came from this entry. They commented that there was an almost hand-drawn quality that made the entry stand out. 

Hybrid

Oliver Ritchie, Kingston University - The Rising Bubble
 

Judges comments

The judges were impressed with a technically skilled drawing of an interesting and thought-provoking brief.

Hybrid

Su Thiri San, UCA Canterbury - Interlude
    

 

Judges comments

The judges felt this was a polished and professional looking entry, with good technical skill.

Judges

The competition has been created to celebrate student talent from across the UK and is free of charge to enter to ensure that it is as inclusive as possible. A Judging Panel of BIID Registered Interior Designers was convened to judge the winners. The 2026 judges were:

• Liz Bell
• Anna Burles
• Lester Bennett
• Verity Coleman
• Debra Kacher
• Lindi Reynolds

With thanks to our venue partner, Lapicida, for hosting our judging day.

Entries were judged anonymously, and the judges were asked to assess entries on creativity and originality, technical ability, and the ability to communicate a design idea or concept. The winners of each category receive a cash prize of £500 each.

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Congratulations to the winners and to all the entrants who submitted to a very high standard!