Sherwin-Williams announced the winners of its tenth annual Student Design Challenge, a competition that recognizes the growing talent of design students across North America. Designs were accepted in both the residential and commercial categories, with first-, second- and third-place winners awarded in each, along with a “fan favorite” winner chosen by popular vote on Facebook. 

“With the competition now in its tenth year, we have high expectations for submissions – and they delivered. Each year, we are blown away by the depth of creativity these students show,” said Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. “Their work demonstrates that the power of design is real and incredibly relevant. Sherwin-Williams applauds our next generation that will face both new challenges and new opportunities.”

Students were asked to submit color renderings and project statements describing their design and use of color. Submissions were judged by a panel of respected designers, including Wadden; Nicole White, CEO and principal designer of Nicole White Designs Interiors; and Sven Shockey, vice president and design director at SmithGroup.

Residential Category
Marya Wozniuck of American Rivers College in Sacramento, California, took first place in the residential category with a design for an eclectic New York City penthouse inspired by the freshness of the spring season.

“Keeping spring in mind, I chose colors that are soft and gentle, yet bold and captivating,” said Wozniuck. “In the master bedroom, the charming color Lime Granita SW 6715 saturates the room with a sense of nature in springtime. In the living area, Pink Shadow SW 0070 in association with Westhighland White SW 7566 harmonizes wonderfully with eclectic custom furnishings and unique decorations. The colors achieve an elegant statement that fills the area with a sense of comfort, peace, playfulness and even a little romance.”

Commercial Category
Andre Silvestre of Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts, is winning this competition for the second year in a row. He won first place in the commercial category this year for his design for an intergenerational community center in Boston inspired by the Sherwin-Williams Play palette from the 2020 Colormix Forecast. Silvestre was also the first-place winner and fan favorite in the residential category in the 2019 Student Design Challenge.

“Sherwin-Williams 2020 Color of the Year, Naval SW 6244, greets you at reception. The eye is drawn quickly to the double-layered trim the circuits the entire ceiling in vivid Auric SW 6692 and Oceanside SW 6496,” said Silvestre. “A meeting space in Aquarium SW 6767 invites collaboration, and a dominant wall in Naval connects the second and third floors.”

Sherwin-Williams Student Design Challenge 2020 Winners

Residential Category:

• First place: Marya Wozniuk, American Rivers College, “Eclectic NYC Penthouse”
• Second place: Katie Krauter, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, “Shipping Container Desert Homestead”
• Third place: Natasha Di Paola, Humber College, “Natasha Di Paola”
• Fan favorite: Alexis Judy, East Carolina University, “Mountain House Hideaway”

• First place: Andre Silvestre, Suffolk University, “Boston Intergenerational Community Center”
• Second place: Hannah Halverson, Iowa State University, “Fresh and Fauves”
• Third place: Ankita Gogne, California State Polytechnic, “Reunirse Mexican Center of Culture and Art”
• Fan favorite: Robbie Deason, Savannah College of Art and Design, “Revive Senior Living”

To view all the students' designs, visit swstudentdesign.com.