GOTYA 2026: IDI Graduate Heidi Mellett Receives South Australian Commendation

We’re incredibly proud to celebrate The Interior Design Institute graduate Heidi Mellett, who has received the Vocational Commendation for South Australia at the 2026 Graduate of the Year Awards (GOTYA), presented by the Design Institute of Australia (DIA).

The Graduate of the Year Awards celebrate emerging Australian designers, giving outstanding graduates the opportunity to have their work recognised by the wider design industry.

It’s also another exciting year for IDI at GOTYA. Following the success of our graduates at the 2025 GOTYA Awards, we were thrilled to have five talented IDI graduates nominated and submitted for the 2026 awards.

Image Source: Portfolio by IDI Graduate Heidi Mellett.

A Look Inside Heidi’s Portfolio

One of the most exciting parts of studying interior design is watching the skills developed throughout the course come together in a professional portfolio.

At The Interior Design Institute, students work through practical design projects that build their creative and technical abilities, from developing concepts and spatial planning to selecting materials and professionally communicating their ideas.

For Heidi, those skills came together in a portfolio that has now received industry recognition through her Vocational Commendation at GOTYA 2026.

Image Source: Portfolio by IDI Graduate Heidi Mellett.

Celebrating Our Other 2026 GOTYA Nominees

Heidi wasn’t the only IDI graduate representing us this year. We’re incredibly proud that four other talented IDI graduates were also nominated and submitted for the 2026 GOTYA Awards.

Each graduate brought their own creative perspective and portfolio of work, showcasing the talent emerging from the next generation of interior designers.

Image Source: Portfolio by IDI Graduate Tayla Manca from @interioridealist.

“What started as something I learnt for these boards has now become a skill I use regularly and something I know I’ll carry throughout my career. I’m really grateful that the nomination gave me the push to challenge myself and develop a completely new skill along the way.” – Tayla Manca

Image Source: Portfolio by IDI Graduate William Trench.

Image Source: Portfolio by IDI Graduate Marusja Archipov from @archipovinteriors.

Image Source: Portfolio by IDI Graduate Sarah Robinson.

To have five IDI graduates represented in the 2026 awards is something we’re incredibly proud of. A huge congratulations to every graduate who was nominated and put their work forward this year.

Building on GOTYA Success

This isn’t the first time we’ve had the privilege of celebrating IDI graduates through the Graduate of the Year Awards.

In 2025, IDI graduates Zoe Lloyd and Amy Donehue were recognised through GOTYA, sharing their design philosophies, portfolio work and experiences as emerging designers.

You can read about our 2025 GOTYA graduates and their design journeys here.

Seeing another group of talented graduates represented in 2026 makes us incredibly proud of our growing IDI graduate community and everything our students go on to achieve.

A huge congratulations to Heidi Mellett on receiving the Vocational Commendation for South Australia at the 2026 Graduate of the Year Awards, and to our four other talented GOTYA nominees.

We can’t wait to see where your creativity takes you next.

Ready to Build a Career You’re Proud Of?

Whether you’re starting from scratch, exploring a lifelong passion or thinking about changing careers, our flexible online interior design course gives you the opportunity to study at your own pace, develop practical skills and build a portfolio you can be proud to share.