Fanshawe Interior Design Students Win Top Honours in Global PAVE Design Competition

A pair of fourth-year Honours Bachelor of Interior Design (BID) students from Fanshawe’s Donald J. Smith School of Building Technology and Design were named among the top three winners of the 30th Annual PAVE International Student Design Competition.

Natalie Opdebeeck and Makayla Hall accepted their awards at the prestigious PAVE Gala this past December during an all-expenses-paid-trip to New York City which was covered by PAVE Global, a non-profit organization focused on connecting students, educators and industry professionals to ensure the future of the design industry.

Photo caption: Natalie Opdebeek (second from left) and Makayla Hall (second from right) pose with Hershey Company representatives.

Hosted in partnership with The Hershey Company, the annual competition challenged design students from around the globe to solve real-world retail design problems. This year’s challenge was to conceptualize a Store-within-a-Store snacking destination inside a grocery store—an installation that would bring Hershey’s family of brands to life through immersive storytelling, sensory design, technology and experiential engagement.

Meghan Mastronardi, professor and coordinator of the BID program praised the students’ talent, dedication and attention to detail in developing submissions that were creative and innovative and effectively communicating their ideas with excellent visuals and dialogue.

“They were able to think beyond a traditional retail environment to create a customer experience backed by research that integrates innovative technology while being fun, immersive, engaging and interactive,” she said. “Their clever designs resonated strongly with the judges and The Hershey Company.”

Meghan added that seeing Natalie’s and Makayla’s work recognized at a global level has been especially rewarding. “Having our students win two out of three awards for the annual PAVE Student Design Competition is a tremendous accomplishment for these two students, our Honours Bachelor of Interior Design program and Fanshawe College,” she said.

From New York City to Hershey, Pennsylvania

Following the award presentation in New York City, the three winners were invited by The Hershey Company to travel to Hershey, Pennsylvania, for an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience.

During their three-day visit, the students toured the company’s headquarters and Global Customer Insights Centre, gaining first-hand insight into how retail design functions within one of the world’s most recognizable global brands. They also had the opportunity to present their winning design concepts to members of the Hershey team and engage with the company’s operations and creative teams.

For both students, the trip was a defining moment in their education, offering real-world exposure to the scale, impact and influence of design beyond the classroom.

Natalie described the moment she learned she had won as ‘surreal.’ “I was shocked but so excited when I found out I was selected as one of the three winners,” she said. “It has been even better being able to share this experience with my friend and classmate, Makayla.”

Natalie acknowledged that the gala in NYC and the Hershey visit were once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. “Both the trip to NYC and to Hershey are experiences I’ll never forget,” she said. “I am beyond grateful to have had both of those opportunities as I wrap up this last year at Fanshawe.”

Reflecting on the project, she shared that one of her biggest takeaways was learning to embrace creativity and enjoyment in her work.

For Makayla, winning the award was both unexpected and deeply meaningful—especially after initially struggling with the concept. “That challenge made the outcome even more meaningful,” she said. “It felt like every bit of effort finally paid off.”

While Makayla described the New York trip as an inspiring way to close out the semester, she said the visit to Hershey was a highlight of the entire journey, particularly having the opportunity to present her work to senior leaders at The Hershey Company.

“It was incredibly rewarding to see our ideas valued and thoughtfully received,” she said.

Both students are excited about what’s to come after graduation.

Natalie is set to begin her career as a design coordinator at HDR and is looking to tap into a growing passion for health-care design and, “creating spaces that positively impact people’s lives.”

As she looks ahead, Makayla says her ideal career centers on meaningful impact and collaboration—using design to improve everyday experiences while working within a supportive, collaborative and passionate team.

Meghan will also be keeping an eye on her soon-to-be graduates: “We are grateful to PAVE Global and The Hershey Company for this opportunity and can’t wait to see what Natalie and Makayla do next!”