As a design student, it is easy to get caught up in the beauty of design rather than asking the tougher questions about how our work can make a meaningful difference. At NAFA, I learned that design is about solving problems, building communities, and telling stories that might otherwise go unheard. My lecturers gave me the confidence to challenge conventions, while my peers became collaborators, critics, and friends who pushed me to grow through risk, uncertainty, and curiosity. Receiving this recognition is an honour, but my greatest takeaway is the confidence to keep asking those difficult questions because in an era where any answer is only a prompt away, what will always distinguish great designers is the purpose behind what we create.
Keane Tay Hao Qing
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Design Practice Graduate
Best Graduate Award 2026