Dunn-Edwards Corporation has announced the winner of its fourth annual Emerging Professionals Design Competition. The student design competition gives participants the opportunity to gain real-world experience and receive feedback from industry professionals.
The grand prize winner is Ana Gonzales (above), an interior design student at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. The competition required entrants to design a hypothetical hotel chain and to integrate Dunn-Edwards 2024 Color of the Year, Skipping Stones (DET567), and biophilic design into their projects. With sustainability being a core value in the curriculum Ana studies, her design submission, which embodies a deep understanding of community needs and contemporary design principles, earned her the grand prize-winning spot in Dunn-Edwards competition.
Gonzales is taking home industry-level experience and a $3,000 cash prize. Earning the first runner-up prize of $800 was Lillian Skelton-Walker, student at Design Institute of San Diego.
Danielle Kinahan, marketing segments manager at Dunn-Edwards, returned as a judge for the competition. “I’m continually impressed by the level of creativity and thoughtfulness in these submissions. This year’s winner stood out not only for their impressive design skills but also for the ability to address real-world scenarios through their design.” The remainder of the judges for the 2024 Emerging Professionals Design Competition included Lauren Hoferkamp, head of color and design at Dunn-Edwards, and Karen Billman, interior designer and owner of Billman Designs.
Hoferkamp tells KBB, “As a judge for the 2024 Dunn-Edwards Emerging Professionals Design Competition, Ana Gonzales’ submission immediately stood out for its exceptional quality and creativity. Her design, Hotel Sofia, not only fulfilled every requirement but exceeded expectations with its thoughtful integration of both color and biophilic design principles. Ana masterfully utilized the full color palette provided, demonstrating a keen eye for detail and an understanding of how to balance vibrant hues with neutral tones to create a harmonious, visually engaging space.
“Ana’s project wasn’t just a design submission – it was a vision for the future of architecture and interior design. Her work showcased an innovative blend of sustainability, community focus and vibrant color theory that made her a deserving winner of the Grand Prize. We are incredibly proud to recognize her achievements and look forward to seeing how her career continues to evolve, as she is undoubtedly a rising star in the world of design.”
Since 2017, the Emerging Professionals Program (EPP) by Dunn-Edwards has partnered with students to provide industry knowledge, trend-leading inspiration and color tools, and skills enhancement opportunities for the next generation of design professionals to leave their mark on the world. Architecture and design students are encouraged to tap into resources provided by Dunn-Edwards.
