We’re so excited to celebrate Collarts Interior Design graduate, Nadine Osborne who has just taken home the Design Institute of Australia’s Graduate of the Year Award (GOTYA) for Western Australia in the Place category: a national award recognising design excellence in the spaces where we live, work and play.
Studying fully online from her home in Perth, Nadine graduated from Collarts last year and is now taking the exciting leap into launching her own Interior Design business.
The jury were blown away by Nadine’s conceptually rich projects, material honesty, and clear design philosophy, praising her for strong professional readiness and published real-world work.
And the journey doesn’t stop here—Nadine is now in the running for the Madeline Lester Australian Graduate of the Year Award, to be announced at the DIA Hall of Fame in early 2026.
We caught up with Nadine to talk about her creative process, her Collarts experience and what’s next.
“Finding a creative spark has always been something that happens naturally for me once I have a thorough understanding of the client’s brief. For me, this can only be achieved through deep listening, not only to people, but to places, and to the subtle cues that others might overlook.
I have always felt that if the concept or narrative is not coming to me, I need to dig deeper. I’m intrigued by the stories embedded in a site’s history and in a client’s lived experience, and I see my role as drawing those threads together into a design that feels authentic, personal, and enduring.
Across my projects, whether it’s a heritage hotel, an adaptive reuse warehouse, or a layered family home, my process is about designing an atmosphere rather than a look. Spaces that are lived in, not just looked at.
I prioritise natural materials, fluid planning, and details that support both function and feeling, so the result holds emotional resonance as much as it meets practical needs.”
Image above: Nadine's submission and mood boards for the award application.
“I chose Collarts because their Interior Design program offered not only design integrity, industry relevance, and flexibility, but also a strong focus on ethical design, which really resonated with me.
Studying fully online gave me the freedom to raise my two young children while completing my degree, and while it required a lot of discipline, it taught me how to balance creativity and time in equal measure.
I became highly organised and intentional with my work, which meant I was increasingly improving on my projects and knowledge. The online format also strengthened my self-direction and communication skills.”
“Winning the GOTYA award feels like an incredible milestone and a catalyst. It’s given me the confidence to back myself and the direction I want to take. My next step is launching my own Interior Design practice, which will allow me to shape my career around both my creative ambitions and the flexibility I need as a mum to two young children.
For me, it’s about building a business that reflects my values: creating emotive, place-sensitive spaces while also creating a work life that feels sustainable and balanced. This award has given me momentum, credibility, and an opportunity to connect with clients and collaborators, which is the kind of foundation I want to grow from.”
Image above: Nadine's submission and mood boards for the award application.
“I think it’s important to listen more than you speak, and let your curiosity guide you beyond the obvious. Be willing to research deeply, whether that’s architectural philosophy, a site’s history, or the lived realities of the people who will inhabit your spaces. Stay open to collaboration and embrace feedback as a way to refine and strengthen your ideas.
"And remember, your human perspective is your greatest strength. Bring your own story, values, and creativity into your projects, because that’s what will make them truly resonate and stand apart in today’s crowded design landscape and era of artificial intelligence.”
Nadine’s achievement is more than just an award—it’s a shining example of what’s possible when passion, hard work, and values align. Her success is also a reminder that studying fully online at Collarts can open doors to industry recognition, national opportunities, and exciting new chapters.
We couldn’t be prouder of Nadine and can’t wait to see what’s next as she heads toward the national stage in 2026.