Interior & Environmental Design at Duncan of Jordanstone

Congratulations to our recent graduates Kayla Adamson, Lucas Harvey, Ben McArthur, and Tansy Scott who were shortlisted in the Interior Educators National Student Awards 2026.

Interior Educators (IE) is an organisation established by academics representing well-established Interior Design / Interior Architecture courses from across the UK. It is a unique group in that it provides a forum for debate and the exchange of ideas and practice effecting the education of designers of interior space.

The Interior Educators National Student Awards shine a spotlight on the achievements of undergraduate interior programmes across the UK and Ireland, showcasing exceptional work produced in 2026.

Kayla was shortlisted for Spatial Experience & Interior Response for ‘The Assembly’, a student living and hostel experience.

Lucas was shortlisted for the IE Conference Award | Rotating (Imagining Interiors 2025-2026) for ‘Unco’, an installation that exposes contemporary society’s fear of uncertainty through the lens of the liminal and the uncanny.

Ben was shortlisted for the Material & Environmental Resolution Award for ‘Relic’, a kit-of-parts furniture collection created in collaboration with Solus Ceramics.

Tansy was shortlisted for Innovation Practice & Process Award for ‘Commensality’, an exploration of connection through shared dining, centred around the round table.

Many of our Level 3 and Level 4 students were also longlisted in the awards, and you can view all submissions on the Interior Educators website: www.interioreducators.co.uk/ie-2026-awards

Fantastic work everyone!

Big shout out to Nicoletta Proto, of final year Interior & Environmental Design, who was nominated for the University of Dundee's Wimberley Award. This is awarded to students who have exhibited outstanding and exemplary efforts or have made a distinguished contribution to the life of the University. Nicoletta’s nomination was highlighted at the annual Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, University of Dundee Prize Giving.

Nicoletta was recognised for her outstanding contribution as a Class Rep, her excellent peer support, and her organisation of creative community experiences.

Nicoletta’s final year project, Cambrè, is a contemporary re-imagining of an amphitheatre located within the University of Dundee’s Botanic Garden. The outdoor stage is designed to accommodate a range of performances, from dance shows to theatre productions. The shapes and forms developed for the open roof structure are inspired by long exposure photography of dancers forming arches through movement. The plan view and layout of the space are derived from the marks created by a dancer performing on paper with black acrylic paint.

Nicoletta’s dissertation explores, "Why are there so many women in art and design partnerships from the modernism movement that receive less recognition compared to their male counterpart?".

Well done Nicoletta for all your fantastic contributions!

Congratulations to final year Interior & Environmental Design student, Wendy Cheng, who won the InGear EDI Award at the annual Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, University of Dundee Prize Giving. This award is for students who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to advancing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion through their work.

Wendy was awarded this for her dissertation, ‘A neuroarchitecture analysis of creative studio and artist well-being through acoustic, lighting and spatial planning’.

Wendy’s associated thesis project, ‘aNode’, transforms the ‘office’ into a tuned instrument where architecture converts environmental ‘babble’ into focused attention. The co-working space is located at the former Custom House on Dock Street, Dundee.

Inspired by cymatics, this post-pandemic office architecture maps a Chladni experiment onto the floor plan, allowing workers to act as living ‘sand’ that naturally self-organises into quiet node zones or vibrant social spaces. By eliminating traditional walls, it creates a balanced and resonant environment that blends deep psychological safety with a thriving, shared community.

Amazing Wendy – well done!

Fantastic news for recent Interior & Environmental Design graduate, Kayla Adamson, who won the Highly Commended Award, sponsored by The Senator Group, at The Scottish Interior Design Students Showcase. This fantastic showcase was organised by MLA Architects and was on display at Barras Art & Design (BAaD), Glasgow.

Kayla’s final year project, 'The Assembly' is an adaptive reuse project with a focus on transforming the existing Gilfillan Memorial Church within Dundee city centre, into a vibrant student living experience that can adapt to become a hostel outwith traditional semesters.

The design is driven by pattern making, used to inform spatial zones, structures and elements throughout the scheme. With a key concept of congregation, the design encourages casual interactions, through both intimate encounter spaces and larger dedicated social areas.

Her dissertation was entitled, 'Recognising the Intangible: How Intangible Materials Enhance Wellbeing within Interior Spaces'.

Kayla also won the Hot Chocolate Trust Prize at the annual Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, University of Dundee Prize Giving.

Brilliant achievements Kayla!

Congratulations to Greta Choi of third year Interior & Environmental Design who won The George Duncan of Drumfork Scholarship at the annual Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, University of Dundee Prize Giving. This is awarded to the best student in the penultimate year of their course, and Greta won the only prize available within ‘Design’.

Greta’s self-directed project this year was entitled, ‘A Dappled Oasis’, and this focused on rethinking shared spaces for people living with photosensitivity.

Photosensitivity is a skin condition that affects 11-21% of Northern Europeans, with up to 31,000 in Dundee alone, often impacting wellbeing. Through adaptive reuse, the West Ward Works building is reimagined as an inclusive environment that translates outdoor qualities into a safe interior setting for photosensitive individuals.

Inspired by komorebi (the Japanese word for “sunlight filtering through the leaves of trees”), dappled light, and skin reaction patterns, the design uses fragmented and layered forms to create an immersive experience that simulates natural seasonal transitions. Interconnected spaces support social, educational, active and quiet uses, informed by user engagement and conversations with a photobiology researcher. Filtered daylight, adjustable lighting and an indoor carpark ensure accessibility. ‘A Dappled Oasis’ offers a safe, engaging and inclusive alternative to the outdoor experience.

Well done Greta!

Congratulations to the Interior & Environmental Design Class of 2026, who recently graduated alongside their Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, University of Dundee peers. We hope you had a fantastic day celebrating this brilliant achievement with your family and friends.

We can't wait to see where your creativity, passion, and talent takes you in the world of design. Here's to the next generation of designers - Kayla, Wendy, Lucas, Maria, Filip, Holly, Ben, Matt, Kyle, Nicoletta, Harry, Tansy, Cherie, and Kris.

Wishing you every success for the future.

The Interior & Environmental Design BDes (Hons) Class of 2026 are currently exhibiting their work at The Scottish Interior Design Students Showcase at Barras Art and Design, Glasgow, from 10th - 11th June.

Yesterday the room was buzzing with creativity and ambition, and was a real celebration of the next generation of talented interior designers from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, University of Dundee, Glasgow School of Art, Edinburgh College of Art and Edinburgh Napier.

There was also a wonderful series of talks, presentations and workshops from industry guests, and brilliant creative conversations at the evening networking event.

Thanks to everyone who has visited so far, including many DJCAD Interior & Environmental Design alumni.

Huge thanks to MLA for organising, and to Solace Interiors, Solus Ceramics, Wagstaff Group, Tsunami Axis, Optima and Shaw Contract for their generous sponsorship, and to all others for their contributions towards making this fantastic showcase happen.

Glasgow - we’re coming for you!

Final year Interior & Environmental Design students will be presenting their work at The Scottish Interior Design Students Showcase at Barras Art and Design, Glasgow from Wednesday 10th – Thursday 11th June.

Interior & Environmental Design of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, University of Dundee will be exhibiting alongside students from Glasgow School of Art, Edinburgh College of Art and Edinburgh Napier.

The event is organised by MLA, and is sponsored by Solace Interiors, Solus Ceramics, Wagstaff Group, Tsunami Axis, Optima and Shaw Contract.

As well as the showcase, there will be an engaging programme of talks, presentations, workshops, networking opportunities and other events.

Join us! Reserve your free spot here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scottish-interior-design-students-showcase-2026-tickets-1987301100087?aff=Universities

Wonderful to see the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, University of Dundee Degree Show work of the Interior & Environmental Design BDes (Hons) Class of 2026 featured in Dezeen - the world’s most influential architecture, interiors and design magazine.

Arching motion-informed amphitheatre among projects from University of Dundee A redesign of an amphitheatre inspired by dance forms is among projects from the University of Dundee.

A walk around the Interior & Environmental Design Degree Show at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, University of Dundee...

Commensality - Tansy Scott

It Was Oil Rigged From The Start - Matt Perkins

Spatial Provocation: EVO–GEN 26:31 - Harry Scott

Time Out - Maria Kostova

Relic - Ben McArthur

Unco - Lucas Harvey

Re-Mind - Filip Lesniewski

Cambré - Nicoletta Proto

Forbes - Holly Lonie

Orbital Trajectory - Thieu Hien (Kris) Vo

The Assembly - Kayla Adamson

Re-Construct - Kyle Petrie

aNodes - Wendy Cheng

Dreamscape - Cherie Shek