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What's the program about?
The TDC Scholarship Program aims to facilitate the personal and professional development of a member of the design community who shows the right aptitude, attitude and commitment. Someone who’s ready to commit to 12 months of life-changing growth and learning.
With access to 12 months of our classes, courses and coaching we will provide the 2024 TDC Scholar with all the tools, techniques, systems, and processes to completely equip them for future success. Success that will extend beyond work into all areas of their life.
The 2024 Scholarship Program will culminate in an all-expenses-paid prized place at our 2024 Melbourne Retreat. This transformational experience will provide the Scholar with the opportunity to further extend their learning, whilst forging lifelong relationships with like-minded designers.
Who's eligible for the scholarship?
We want the Scholarship to be open to designers from all sectors, all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels. You might still be at university, or you may have been working in your business for more than 20 years.
We want to know how this opportunity would change your life, and why we should choose you.
To be eligible, you need to be a member of the TDC community (it’s free) and need to have a registered design business. Applications are open to interior designers, interior decorators, architects, interior architects, stylists and entrepreneurs.
Oh… and we’re not snobs. You don’t need a fancy degree or qualification to be amazing at what you do. The program is open to all design professionals, qualified or not.
2024 TDC Scholarship Winner : Alessandra Smith
Alessandra Smith is the principal designer of alessandra smith design; an emerging interior decoration studio in Melbourne focusing on the curation of furniture, lighting, art and objects in high-end residential projects.
Following a decade of experience as a pharmacist, Alessandra’s career took a serendipitous turn following the birth of her son and a feature of her own home on The Design Files. This feature was the catalyst behind the launch of her eponymous studio, where she combines her meticulous attention to detail with her love for thoughtful and layered interiors.
Her work is characterised by a harmonious blend of vintage and contemporary pieces and a confident use of colour and materiality to create spaces that are both timeless and soulful. As a mother and entrepreneur, Alessandra embodies the philosophy that great design transcends aesthetics, creating functional and meaningful spaces that deeply resonate with her clients and uniquely reflect their diverse lives and tastes.
Her transition from pharmacy to the colourful world of design is not just a career change but a testament to following one’s passion, a value she hopes to instil in both her son and clients alike.
2023 TDC Scholarship Winner : Olivia Pearce
Olivia (Macfarlane) Pearce founded Undercurrent in 2020, on the premise that life is a sensory experience, and every touchpoint impacts the way we live. This is the philosophy that guides the studio’s design sensibility.
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Liv is a South Island-native, raised on a farm, a lady of the land. Having graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Architectural Studies from Victoria University of Wellington, Liv moved to Europe where she attended an intensive workshop at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris. During her time living in London, Liv worked on a vast portfolio of projects for clients including the Clinton Foundation and Wallpaper* Magazine.
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Upon returning to New Zealand in 2015, Liv worked with award-winning Auckland-based studio Material Creative for four years, until she finally took the plunge to move south, even further under, and establish Undercurrent in Wanaka, Central Otago.
As our first international scholarship winner, Liv has certainly proudly flown the flag for New Zealand! Her commitment working on herself personally and professionally embodies everything that we hope to inspire in our scholarship recipients.
2022 TDC Scholarship Winner : Amelia Barry
Amelia started AJB interiors in 2018 and has since worked on a range of residential projects throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria. Her focus is on creating beautifully designed homes that are both balanced and thoughtful, and are a true reflection of the people that live in them.
Already an accomplished designer, Amelia came into the scholarship program with an established portfolio of clients, and some beautiful projects under her belt. Working with TDC, she has been able to further streamline her processes in order to deliver even more successful project outcomes and an increase to her profitability. Amelia has an incredible work ethic and is very driven to continue learning, which makes coaching her such a privilege.
We couldn't be more proud of Amelia. She clearly has loads of design talent, but more importantly, she is dedicated to running a successful and profitable business, and is prepared to do the hard work to make that happen. We're excited to see where 2023 takes her!
What does the scholarship include?
We want to provide the 2024 TDC Scholar with full access to our life-changing classes, courses, coaching AND the Retreat.
The 2024 TDC Scholarship Program includes:
Access to our online DesignLab Bootcamp Program (valued at over $2,750)
Inclusion in our exclusive application only Premium Group Coaching Program (valued at $4,760)
Access to TDC Online Courses and Classes (valued at over $2,000)
Exclusive access to networking events
3 x 1-on-1 Coaching Sessions with TDC Director Andrew Mitchell (value $1,050)
Registration to the 2024 Melbourne Retreat (valued at over $3,500)
Flights and Accommodation for the 2024 Melbourne Retreat (valued at over $1,000)
Business mentoring with our Sponsors
Total value = more than $15,000
How and when will the winner be chosen?
The winner will be chosen by a judging panel selected by The Design Coach. The decision of the judges will be final.
Closing Date for Applications
9 February 2024
Winner Announced
16 February 2024
Judges
Andrew Mitchell (The Design Coach)
Olivia Pearce (2023 TDC Scholar and director of Undercurrent Studio)
Samantha Eades (Mitchell & Eades)
Submitting Your Scholarship Application
Please note that the application requires some time to respond to questions and gather certain documents. You can access the application form by clicking the link below.
Submitting your documents:
When you reach the end of the application, you will have the opportunity to upload your documents. Before commencing the application, ensure you have the following files labelled with your full name:
- Digital Portfolio of your past work (hi-res images with project overview and summary of the candidate's responsibilities) - PDF format, maximum file size 10mb.
- Portrait photo (professional quality, in colour) - JPG or PNG format, minimum file size 500kb, maximum file size 10mb.
- Biography (150 - 200 words) - MS Word format, maximum file size 10mb.