Directors' Choice 2026
The Directors’ Choice specifically highlights the outstanding capstone projects that demonstrate exceptional knowledge, creativity, and skill that has been applied to a focused idea and then most effectively communicated by visual means.
Each year the Dean, the Directors from all four schools within DAAP, along with the Director of DAAP Galleries, review the project submissions from all of our programs. The Directors take into consideration the recommendations they are provided by the faculty that work with these students daily. After much deliberation a consensus is reached to make the selections of Directors’ Choice award winners.
Awardees by School
School of Design
| Award | Recipient(s) |
|---|---|
| Excellence in Communication Design | Megan Geise Luke Sheridan Penelope Clark |
| Excellence in Fashion Design | Addison Lane Clare Wilker |
| Excellence in Industrial Design - Product Design | Bria Dues Chloe Beckmeyer Zoe Hong |
| Excellence in Industrial Design - Mobility Design | Drew Ternovits |
| Excellence in Research Through Design - Master of Design | Brianna Dzuricsko |
School of Architecture & Interior Design
| Award | Recipient(s) |
|---|---|
| Excellence in Architecture - Individual Project | Sam Wittmann |
| Excellence in Architecture - Group Project | Miguel Mora Maddie Gillock |
| Excellence in Interior Design | Anna Wieging |
| Excellence in Architecture - Master of Architecture | Deena Ayshi |
Orville Simpson Futures
| Award | Recipient(s) |
|---|---|
| Urban Future Forward - Architecture | Devanshi Patel Siena Cutforth |
School of Art
| Award | Recipient(s) |
|---|---|
| Excellence in Art History | Sadie Penix |
| Excellence in Fine Arts - Master of Fine Arts | Kyle Salandy |
| Excellence in Fine Arts Award | Sophia Kroto Alexa Blanchard Lauryn Campbell |
School of Planning
| Award | Recipient(s) |
|---|---|
| Excellence in Horticulture | Hallie Carr |
| Excellence in Urban Planning | Caroline VanBuskirk |
| Excellence in Urban Studies | Sage Morrison Brody Smith |
| Excellence in Community Planning | Arati Bhandari Travis Clark |
| Excellence in Landscape Architecture | Matthew Reindl |
| Horticulture Industry Excellence | Estella Minakata |
Orville Simpson Futures
| Award | Recipient(s) |
|---|---|
| Urban Future Forward - Planning | Lanie Tarowsky |