May 23, 2020

Sherwin-Williams has announced the winners of its 10^th-annual Student Design Challenge, a competition that recognizes the growing talent of design students across North America. Designs were accepted in both the residential and commercial categories, with first-, second- and third-place winners awarded in each, along with a “fan favorite” winner chosen by popular vote on Facebook.

Students were asked to submit color renderings and project statements describing their design and use of color. Submissions were judged by a panel of respected designers, including Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams; Nicole White, CEO and principal designer of Nicole White Designs Interiors; and Sven Shockey, vice president and design director at SmithGroup. KBB spoke with the student designers to find out more.

View the gallery of winning residential projects HERE.

Marya Wozniuck of American Rivers College in Sacramento, Calif., took first place in the residential category with a design for an eclectic New York City penthouse inspired by the spring season.

“Keeping spring in mind, I chose colors that are gentle but captivating,” she said. “The colors achieve an elegant statement that fills the space with a sense of comfort, peace, playfulness and even a little romance.”

Second place was awarded to Katie Krauter of Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis. Natasha Di Paola of Humber College in Toronto, Ontario, won third. The fan favorite in the residential category went to “Mountain House Hideaway” by Alexis Judy of East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C.

Wozniuck will receive a cash prize of $2,500 and will be featured in Sherwin-Williams e-newsletter. In addition, their schools will be awarded $1,000 to be used toward design programs. Second-place winners will receive $1,000, third-place winners receive $500, and Facebook fan favorites are given a $100 Sherwin-Williams gift card. All winners will be featured on the Sherwin-Williams Facebook page. Every student who entered the contest received a free ColorSnap Palette Guide and the 2020 Colormix Forecast fan deck.