Sydney Design School

Some rooms make you want to leave. Some make you want to stay.
That’s not an accident. It’s design.

Interior design isn't a job that's just about cushions and colour swatches. It's a genuine responsibility to the people who will live, work, heal and gather inside the spaces you shape.

On our blog we take a deep dive into the essence of good interior design, the responsibilities of interior designers to shape spaces, and the ripple effect they have on all our lives.

https://sydneydesignschool.com.au/why-making-spaces-matters/

Junior Designer Diaries / On Friday our Career and Industry Manager Michelle Burke hosted a panel event with some of our recent graduates.

Pictured from left: Michelle with our guest speakers and alumni Ruby Pasalidis, Jesse Bates and Harley Wallace.

They shared frank, relatable career stories, answered students' questions, and gave a picture of what the first steps into the interiors industry can actually look like - all the advice that's invaluable when first starting out.

Thanks so much for your time and insights
Ruby
Jesse .studio
Harley

Eyes on our Alumni / We're thrilled to see Boronia Terrace, designed by Advanced Diploma of Interior Design graduate Candace Wu, shortlisted for the idea 2026 Awards.
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Candace describes the home: "A contemporary reimagining of the traditional Redfern terrace, Boronia Terrace balances colour, craftsmanship and light to create a home with warmth and individuality. Layered materials, bespoke details and a strong connection to place bring depth and character, offering a refined response to inner city living."⁠
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Congratulations Candace!

Good interior design isn't about colours and cushions. It's about shaping how people feel, how they live, work, think and connect.

For commercial interior design, it starts with a concept. Conceptualisation is such an important skill to learn, as it shapes every aspect of the design process that follows.

These images from Abbie Jones' pop-up cafe project are a great example of a strong, well-resolved concept in action.

You don't just see a space. You feel it.
So instead of telling you about our studios, we're opening the doors.

Real projects.
Real support.
Real career pathways.
This is what studio-based design education actually looks like.

Join us at Open Day and see for yourself.
Saturday 19 September
9.30am - 12pm
Register here:
https://sydneydesignschool.com.au/open-day/

Zara Burrows' Diploma hospitality project is a multi level venue for award winning chef Vicki Lau, a strong advocate for sustainability, social responsibility and empowering women in the industry.

Zara's concept for Ferme is based on the process of fermentation and building an ecosystem. The visual cues of bubbles and layering, together with the warm hues of the fermentation process informs the look and colour palette of the spaces.

Eyes on our alumni / Eclectic, layered and full of character, Rachel Tidswell's interiors for this Bondi Junction home are a masterclass in designing spaces that feel fresh and deeply personal. This is the calibre of work our graduates are producing.

Interiors by Rachel Tidswell Interiors
Featured in The Local Project⁠
Photography by Dave Wheeler⁠
Styling by Claire Delmar

Two of our alumni just made the finalists list for the Design Institute of Australia's Graduate of the Year Awards (GOTYA), and we couldn't be prouder. Every year our graduates go head-to-head with the best from universities and tertiary institutions nationwide, and every year they prove they belong in that company.

Congratulations to Anneliese Cook and Joy Yakob for making the cut!

Shown here is Anneliese's Advanced Diploma of Interior Design major project. Her aim was “to create a living precinct that weaves those of every generation and ability into one community of dignity and belonging, A place where connection replaces separation, and purpose evolves across the lifespan through shared spaces, everyday encounters and the opportunity to contribute - ensuring that every person, at every stage of life, feels valued, recognised and needed.”

Diploma student Angela Antoniou presented a thoughtful, refined, and cohesive hospitality project that demonstrates strong conceptual thinking and storytelling, excellent research, and an ability to translate ideas into spatial and material outcomes.

Angela explains her process: "I enjoyed the freedom to design for my client, Vicky Lau whose success as a female chef is deeply inspiring to me. Her story motivated me to explore ideas with confidence and purpose. I really wanted to produce work that was meaningful. I am quietly pleased with my concept as I personally enjoy spaces that celebrate heritage, tradition, innovation and nature. The fusion of cultures and emotional connection to place resonates strongly with my own personal experience of growing up surrounded by immigrant communities. Creating a narrative that brings these elements together is both meaningful and authentic to me."