Third-year top achieving students from the DUT Interior Design Programme within the Faculty of Arts and Design were recently awarded with prizes for their hard work.

The ceremony was held on Thursday (October, 24, 2013) at the Arthur Smith Hall, DUT City Campus, where the programme included an exhibition of the work of all third-year Interior Design students.

Nda Ncube was announced as first place winner in the Theory category, which includes theory of design, professional design practice, theory of materials, technical services and construction. Ncube also scooped first prize in Interior Design which includes interior design and typography.

Sifiso Shange was named winner in the Presentation Methods category which draws together presentation drawing, model making, photography and computer-aided design (CAD) while Siyabonga Mbokazi was announced first place winner in CAD and was presented with a prestigious award for being the Most Commendable Development in Design.

The prizes were sponsored by Chisel Design Studio, CN Business Furniture, IID, Jarman Office Furniture, Jossi Design, Liquorice Sky and Spectrum Art and Office Supplies.

Speaking after receiving his awards, Ncube said he was excited about his achievements on the night, and acknowledged Partners in Design, Durban, the company which gave him an internship opportunity.

Rene Forbay, third year Interior Design class representative, gave words of appreciation on behalf of her class, saying they are grateful to their lecturers for all their hard work in the past three years.

Sue Barrett, Interior Design Programme Coordinator, said the primary goal of the event is to motivate dedicated students and to give the interior design industry an opportunity to view some of the work done by the students.

“The evening is the end of the students’ three year development in design and it allows industry an opportunity to view the students’ work side by side,” said Barrett.

She added that her department motivates students by following up on their work, and when they do not perform academically, lectures in the department either talk to them or refer them to the University’s Student Counselling unit.

– Thabo Maile

Pictured: Ayanda Shozi, third-year Interior Design student poses next to his poster during the portfolio presentation.