Left: Vanessa Brady. Right: Lavinia Engleman.
SBID Awards Director Lavinia Engleman on Design Excellence
EXPERTS
As Awards Director of the SBID International Design Awards, Lavinia Engleman reflects on credibility, global design trends, and what it really takes to win.
Q: The SBID International Design Awards have become one of the most respected accolades in the industry. What do you believe has been the key to your team's continued growth and global reputation?
The success of the SBID International Design Awards has always been rooted in credibility, integrity, and a genuine commitment to celebrating design excellence. Over the years, we've continued to grow alongside the industry, expanding our international reach while maintaining the high standards that designers have come to expect.
The SBID International Design Awards has earned this reputation because every accolade is won, never bought. Our judging process is rigorous, independent and based entirely on merit, meaning designers succeed because of the quality of their work - not because they’ve sponsored the Awards, purchased a table or invested financially in the programme. That integrity is why so many designers return year after year. They know the recognition carries genuine weight with clients and peers because it has been earned.
Combined with an impressive international jury, continually evolving standards and attracting some of the world’s most outstanding design talent, we have established the SBID International Design Awards as one of the industry’s most respected benchmarks of excellence.
Q: As Awards Director, you've had a front-row seat to the evolution of interior design. What trends or shifts have stood out to you over the past decade?
One of the most significant shifts has been the growing emphasis on purposeful design. Designers today are creating spaces that don't simply look beautiful; they respond to the way people live, work and interact, placing greater importance on wellbeing, sustainability and functionality.
Alongside this, there has been a noticeable move away from the more restrained palettes that once dominated interiors. A decade ago, particularly in residential design, it was common to see neutral colour schemes, glass and mirrored finishes. Today in both residential and commercial interior design, there is far greater confidence in the use of colour, texture and materials. Whether through bold, expressive interiors or layered monochromatic schemes that rely on tactile finishes and intricate detailing, designers are embracing individuality and creating spaces with greater depth and character.
At the same time, there has been a renewed appreciation for cultural identity and local influences, resulting in projects that feel authentic rather than driven by global trends. It’s this balance between innovation, individuality and meaningful design that has been particularly exciting to witness.
Q: What separates an award-winning submission from a good one? Are there common qualities that the judges consistently look for?
The strongest submissions tell a complete story. Beautiful imagery may capture attention, but it’s the clarity of thinking behind a design that wins awards. Judges want to understand the client’s brief, the challenges faced and how the designer responded with creativity, technical expertise and commercial awareness.
For residential projects, that means showing how the design has encapsulated the client’s vision and genuinely improved the way they live and use the space. For commercial projects, it means demonstrating how constraints such as planning requirements, operational needs or budget limitations were successfully overcome.
Ultimately, judges are looking beyond aesthetics to projects that combine originality with intelligent problem-solving, a clear design rationale and meticulous execution.
Successful entries demonstrate a cohesive concept and attention to detail, while clearly communicating the impact of the finished project. It's about showcasing not only what was created, but why those design decisions mattered.
Q: Every year you review projects from around the world. How has the international design landscape evolved, and what excites you most about the diversity of work being submitted?
The global design community has become more connected than ever before, yet we're seeing greater diversity rather than uniformity. Designers are increasingly drawing inspiration from their own cultures, environments and traditions, creating work that feels distinctive and deeply rooted in place.
It's incredibly rewarding to see submissions from emerging markets alongside projects from established design capitals, each bringing a different perspective. This diversity continually challenges our judges and enriches the Awards programme as a whole. It reminds us that exceptional design is not defined by geography but by creativity, innovation and the ability to solve problems in meaningful ways.
Q: For designers considering entering the SBID International Design Awards for the first time, what advice would you give to help them submit their strongest entry?
My advice would be to invest as much care into your submission as you did into the project itself. Don't assume the work speaks entirely for itself - help the judges understand your creative process, the client's objectives, the challenges you overcame and the value your design delivered.
Select imagery that genuinely showcases the project, provide concise but informative supporting statements that allows someone who knows nothing about your project to understand it from start to finish, and ensure every element of your entry reinforces the overall narrative. Above all, be authentic. The judges appreciate originality and thoughtful design solutions, regardless of project scale or budget.
Q: Recognition can have a transformative impact on a designer's career. What have you seen happen for previous winners and finalists after receiving an SBID Award?
Recognition through the SBID International Design Awards has the power to transform a design practice and act as a springboard to further success. Winning, or even being shortlisted, enhances credibility with prospective clients, opens doors to new commercial opportunities and raises professional profiles. We’ve seen winners and finalists expand internationally, double and even triple the size of their businesses, secure prestigious commissions and establish themselves as leaders within the global design community. For many, an SBID Award has become a defining moment in their growth, inviting opportunities that simply wouldn’t have existed otherwise.
The value lies in the credibility of the achievement. An SBID Award is earned through one of the industry’s most rigorous judging processes. That independent recognition provides powerful third-party validation, giving clients confidence, earning the respect of industry peers and helping designers compete for major commissions or expand into new markets with a globally recognised mark of excellence.
Beyond the commercial impact, many winners tell us that the recognition has had a profound effect on their team and clients. It boosts morale, reinforces confidence in their creative vision and validates the dedication behind every project. Seeing the lasting impact the Awards have on both individuals and the growth of their practices is one of the most rewarding aspects of what we do.
Q: OLISE Magazine is proud to be the Official Media Partner for this year's awards. How important are partnerships like this in helping celebrate and elevate the global design community?
Partnerships with respected publications such as OLISE Magazine are invaluable because they do far more than showcase beautiful projects - they champion the stories, innovation and expertise behind them. Editorial platforms with authenticity play an essential role in continuing to recognise design excellence and advocate for the industry; they amplify the voices of designers and highlight the remarkable work being produced.
The quality of curation matters. When projects are selected and shared by a trusted publication like OLISE, the acknowledgement carries genuine significance with clients, peers and wider audiences. Together, the Awards and OLISE Magazine provide designers with a powerful platform that not only honours their outstanding work, but elevates reputations, fostering meaningful industry conversations and inspiring the next generation of design talent.
Recognition doesn’t end on awards night - it continues by sharing the stories behind the projects and the people who create them. They are an important part of the Awards ecosystem, sparking integral discussions about the future of design and the issues shaping our industry.
Q: Looking ahead, what is your vision for the future of the SBID International Design Awards, and what can the industry look forward to in the years ahead?
My vision is for the SBID International Design Awards to continue setting and strengthening the benchmark for design excellence, while remaining responsive to the evolving needs of the industry. Design never stands still, and neither should we. It’s important that we keep our finger on the pulse; not only of emerging aesthetics, materials and innovations, but of the wider challenges, opportunities and ways that designers work as the industry continues to intersect with technology, sustainability and changing human behaviours.
