Edinburgh Napier University students have been recognised for their outstanding work – spanning themes such as emergency medical care, outdoor exercise and European politics – with awards at the 2025 Degree Show.
The annual showcase for students from the School of Arts & Creative Industries is now underway at ENU’s Merchiston campus, running until Friday 6 June.
Leading industry figures were invited to select projects to win the annual Best in Show prizes – with a selection of awards given to students across five different programmes at the Show’s launch night.
In keeping with last year, the trophy presented to Best in Show winners was designed by ENU product design student Laura Georgie Baird and created by the innovative Midton - an industry leading specialist in cast acrylic and the production of custom acrylic materials.
The unique design features two translucent diamond-like parts that can be detached from the base of the trophy. Award winners are encouraged to give one part to someone who has influenced and inspired them in the career to date while keeping the second part for themselves.
You can find the names and pictures of each of the award winners below – congratulations to you all!
Interior & Spatial Design
Best in Show (sponsored by 56Three)
Salomea Mielnik-Kosmiderska, WE Project
Salomea’s project aims to promote inclusion and visibility for individuals with Down Syndrome. The result, the WE Project, is a socially engaged spatial design concept developed within a former police station building in Edinburgh’s Abbeyhill area.
Form Design Award
Kitty Armstrong (top picture), Pints for Performance
Judges praised Kitty’s reimagining of the iconic home of Melrose Rugby Club in the Scottish Borders. Pints for Performance reimagines rugby club culture by promoting social connections beyond alcohol.
Find out more about the BDes Interior & Spatial Design course here.
Product Design
Best in Show (with Bright Red Triangle)
Scott Rutherford (second picture), Scotseal
Among a group of strong projects, Scott Rutherford’s Scotseal project was selected as Best in Show winner for an innovative solution to a medical emergency. It is a mechanical, user focused product that allows untrained users on the scene of a serious injury to stem the flow of blood and save a life.
Find out more about the BDes Product Design course here.
Graphic Design
Best in Show (sponsored by Loop Agencies)
Jaz Riley (third picture), Cold Feet
Cold Feet is a wellness app designed to help young adults ease into cold water therapy safely. It features animated videos, suggested mindfulness exercises, and opportunities to connect with others.
Gutsy Creative Award: (sponsored by Studio LR)
Emily Cormack, Translated Through Threads
Emily’s project focuses on the stories behind hand-me-down clothes. It invites owners to see garments as translators of memories, connections, and relationships – and encourages you to think differently about what you wear and what you might one day pass on.
Find out more about the BDes Graphic Design course here.
Creative Advertising
Best in Show (sponsored by Multiply Agency)
Olivia Newnes (fourth picture)
Olivia was selected from a competitive cohort of Creative Advertising Masters students by award sponsor Multiply Agency. She, along with runner up Kate Fitzgerald, have been offered a one month paid placement with the firm.
Find out more about the MSc Creative Advertising course here.
Photography
Best in Show (selected by Ben Harman, National Galleries of Scotland)
Levente Hegedus (bottom picture), Haza
Haza is a social documentary project exploring societal dissension in Hungary, focusing on division across cultural, economic, and political spheres. The project offers insight into Hungarian life for international audiences, illuminating the tensions that shape this geopolitically and historically unique nation.
Agitate Awards
Alix Petty, Taylor Cowe and Amy Robson were awarded membership opportunities with Agitate, an artist-run photography collective based in Edinburgh.
WEX Photo Video Awards
Connor Shankland’s mulit-sensory installation RELATIVITY was awarded the Fine Art prize, while Levente Hegedus won the Commercial award – his second of the night.
Find out more about the BA Photography course here.