By Chloe Sipeki
The Floored23 design competition is a showcase for the Certificate IV Interior Decoration course at TAFE NSW.
This year, more than 70 students from across NSW participated in the competition, designing their own rugs aligned with the theme ““The growing generational gap: improved multi-generational future”.
Ahead of the IFI World Interiors Day (May 25), the presentation was held on May 22 when the spotlights of the Cult Design showroom in Sydney truly lit up the grand designs of the five student finalists.
Jaz Lynch, a student at the TAFE Design Centre in Enmore, took out the top spot in the competition with her rug, Chromatic Rhapsody.
“This is incredible,” Lynch said in her speech. “Thank you to my Cert IV at TAFE. It was incredible. All my lecturers were incredible.”
Lynch’s vibrant and energetic artistry is reflected in her colourful rug design.
Her favourite part, Lynch said, was: “Getting to hand draw and spend time to practise line and shape and pattern. Just experience and experiment a lot.”
The event was presented by guest of honour and TAFE alumni Greg Natale, who won the rug design competition in 2006.
Greg has since made his name in the interior design industry, with acclaimed creations and eight designer rug collections.
On the prospect of her own future in interior design as the Floored 23 winner, Lynch said: “I think that I’ve learned a new medium and it’s very inspiring to think about homeware design in a different way.”
Floored 23 marked the 15th year of the program with TAFE NSW.
Offering students rare experiences to showcase their passion and gain exposure in the industry is simply what TAFE is about.
The success of Jaz Lynch and Greg Natale attest to just how significant those experiences can be.
Featured image: The Floored23 finalists go on display. Photo: Chloe Sipeki
