The Student Council is here to bridge the gap between design students and industry.

Through twelve national representatives, free events and mentorship, we’re creating mutual conversations between young designers and professionals.

The core aim of the Student Council is to give students a voice within the industry. Our representatives have a direct line to the Designers Institute Board and key industry professionals. If you have something to say, we give it to you. Email us at .

  • DINZ uppercase D letter graphic
  • Grace Costello (Graphics)
    Grace Costello (Graphics)
    AUT
  • Bom Verkade (Graphics)
    Bom Verkade (Graphics)
    AUT
  • Jacob Davies (Graphics)
    Jacob Davies (Graphics)
    AUT
  • Vedant Kaduskar (Co-chair)
    Vedant Kaduskar (Co-chair)
    University of Auckland
  • Keanu Beziac (Co-chair)
    Keanu Beziac (Co-chair)
    University of Auckland
  • Samantha Bell (Architecture)
    Samantha Bell (Architecture)
    University of Auckland
  • Lucy Lambert (Visual Communication)
    Lucy Lambert (Visual Communication)
    Massey
  • Gia Espelita (Visual Communication)
    Gia Espelita (Visual Communication)
    Massey
  • Sabrina Young (Spatial)
    Sabrina Young (Spatial)
    AUT
  • Harriet Liddell (Spatial)
    Harriet Liddell (Spatial)
    AUT
  • Tahlia Yoo (Spatial)
    Tahlia Yoo (Spatial)
    AUT
  • Olivia Peterson (Interactive)
    Olivia Peterson (Interactive)
    Media Design School
  • Luann Pretorius (Graphics)
    Luann Pretorius (Graphics)
    Whitecliffe
  • Hanbi Seo (Graphics)
    Hanbi Seo (Graphics)
    Whitecliffe
  • Kirsty Nicole Legget (Interactive)
    Kirsty Nicole Legget (Interactive)
    Media Design School
  • Joan Merced (Industrial)
    Joan Merced (Industrial)
    AUT
  • Morgan Taljaard (Industrial)
    Morgan Taljaard (Industrial)
    AUT
  • Kyani Utia (Communication)
    Kyani Utia (Communication)
    AUT
  • Jordan Tane (Graphics)
    Jordan Tane (Graphics)
    AUT
  • Sisi Panikoula (Graphics)
    Sisi Panikoula (Graphics)
    AUT
  • Taylor Fleet (Graphics)
    Taylor Fleet (Graphics)
    Ara
  • Ben Krijgsman (Graphics)
    Ben Krijgsman (Graphics)
    Ara
  • DINZ lowercase D letter graphic

Previous Members

  • Bede Bennett (Communication)

  • Bella McMahon (Spatial)

  • Calais Soper (Interactive/UX)

  • Dio Ambudi (Interactive/UX)

  • Emily Picard (Spatial)

  • Geneva Zhan (Graphics)

  • Hannah Mareroa (Graphics)

  • Hilton Fellows (Motion Design)

  • Jennifer Susanto (Industrial)

  • Jordan Tane (Communication)

  • Kai Concepcion (Graphics)

  • Kyani Utia (Communication)

  • Logan Henry (Architecture)

  • Lucca Sharplin (Interactive/UX)

  • Lucy Lambert (Visual Communication)

  • Mimi Kearney (Visual Communication)

  • Morgan Taljaard (Industrial)

  • Nancy Gao (Communication)

  • Sabrina Young (Spatial)

  • Sachi Kapadia (Architecture)

  • Abbey Barlow (Communication)

  • Amy Miller (Graphics)

  • Bede Bennett (Communication)

  • Bella McMahon (Spatial)

  • Claudia Rist (Industrial)

  • Daniel Eaton (Spatial)

  • Farin Dickinson (Communication)

  • Hannah Faul (Graphics)

  • Heath Johnson (Product)

  • Jenna Billman (Communication)

  • Jordan Tane (Communication)

  • Josh Collins (Industrial)

  • Kevin Chow (Graphics)

  • Lexi Xin (Graphics)

  • Logan Henry (Architecture)

  • Madalena Refiti (Spatial)

  • Mimi Kearney (Visual Communication)

  • Ryan Baek (Graphics)

  • Sachi Kapadia (Architecture)

  • Tim Howe (Industrial)

  • Charmaine Shuter (Graphics)

  • Kai Concepcion (Graphics)

  • Angela Coote (Communication)

  • Chris Bentley (Spatial)

  • Ella Nicol (Design)

  • Ruby Greenhalgh (Graphics)

  • Sam Scrimgeour (Design)

  • Sophie Hills (Design)

  • Xuanyang Sun (Spatial)

  • Yana Dombrowsky (Spatial)

  • Adam Jenkinson (Industrial)

  • Amy Hur (Graphics)

  • Angeline Tulilo-Siilata (Graphics)

  • Chris Bentley (Spatial)

  • Evandah Steadman (Interactive)

  • Jake Clayton (Industrial)

  • Lauren Gibbs (Spatial)

  • Matthew Smith (Graphics)

  • Nathan Walker (Graphics)

  • Nick Lew (Graphics)

  • Richard Roach (Graphics)

  • Shona Macleod (Graphics)

  • Tamsyn Black (Graphics)

  • Will Cook (Industrial)

  • Xuanyang Sun (Spatial)

  • Abby Marriot (Graphics)

  • Abhi Topiwala (Graphics/Interactive)

  • Alfred Hoi (Graphics)

  • Calvin Lai (Graphics)

  • Chelsea Moore (Graphics)

  • Chelsea Pratt (Industrial)

  • Christine Park (Spatial)

  • Jeanette Trewin (Spatial)

  • Jessica Tweed (Graphics)

  • Jewel Yan (Spatial)

  • Kay Tasma (Graphics)

  • Kenny Leung (Spatial)

  • Matthew Smith (Graphics)

  • Nick Jones (Graphics)

  • Sydney Plested (Graphics)

  • Tanya Kerr (Industrial)

  • Alistair McCready (Graphics)

  • Bryson Naik (Graphics)

  • Caitlin MacEwan (Graphics)

  • Hannah Kelly (Graphics)

  • Haydn Jack (Industrial)

  • Jacob Lapworth (Graphics)

  • Jae Park (Graphics)

  • Jason Khoo (Industrial)

  • Jeanette Trewin (Interior Architecture)

  • Katie O'Neill (Graphics)

  • Kenny Leung (Interior Architecture)

  • Liam Ooi (Graphics)

  • Paul Phanoulas (Graphics)

  • Rebekah Wilmer-Proven (Graphics)

  • Rob Lewis (Graphics)

  • Aaron Troy (Graphics)

  • Alice Timings (Graphics)

  • Alistair McCready (Graphics)

  • Angus Burrows (Graphics)

  • Brittnee Covich (Graphics)

  • Hannah Kelly (Graphics)

  • Jason Richards (Graphics)

  • Milly Scott (Graphics)

  • Sarah Allen (Graphics)

  • Theo Faithfull (Graphics)

  • Valerie Poort (Graphics)

  • Angus Burrows (Graphics)

Designers Speak®

The Best Design Awards are a major feature of the local design calendar and an opportunity for design students to gain early recognition from their industry. These sessions allow previous winners the chance to offer first-hand insights into their projects.