“On behalf of Dal-Tile and the ASID Foundation, we congratulate Rebecca Gardner on winning the Dal-Tile Interior Design Scholarship,” said April Wilson, director, brand marketing, Dal-Tile. “Each year, students from around the country rise up to our design challenge, demonstrating that the future of interior design is brimming with talent. Gifted designers like Rebecca continue to inspire Dal-Tile's ongoing commitment to position the next generation of interior designers for growth and success in the industry.”

 

This year’s design challenge, titled Design with a Greater Purpose, was to select a charity or non-profit to take on as a pro-bono client and to create a redesign of their current space that addressed the needs of its users and exhibited excellence in design and creativity. Students were challenged to explore the current issues faced within the space and stakeholder needs to make it a high functioning and beautiful space. Entries were judged on the space’s function, aesthetic and creative use of Dal-Tile's newest product offerings to bring each student’s vision to life. 

 

As a recent graduate and young professional, Gardner hoped entering the Dal-Tile Interior Design Scholarship contest would stretch her as a designer and push her to produce great work. A student at Brigham Young University, Idaho, she found inspiration in Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, a non-profit organization in her community that strives to foster education and stewardship of the earth and its ecosystems. Using Daltile collections, including Florentine Glazed Porcelain, One Quartz, Showscape wall tile and a variety of glass mosaics, Gardner transformed the aquarium’s interior to better support their mission of inspiring people to explore, learn and discover.

 

“Education and scholarships are prime objectives of the ASID Foundation, and the Dal-Tile Interior Design Scholarship program enables us to address both while leveraging a valued partnership." 

 

Along with the grand prize winner, three finalists were selected with the help of a panel of industry professionals. This year's winners included: Rebecca Bruno, Southwest University of Visual Arts—first prize; Amber Ferguson, student ASID, Southwest University of Visual Arts—second prize and Erika Larsen, Virginia Tech University—third prize.

 

For more information, visit daltile.com and asidfoundation.org.