Despina Lykopandis
Despina began her career as a draftsperson for Tattersalls’ before working on brands such as BMW and Jag for Myer. After completing both a Bachelor of Arts and an Advanced Diploma in Interior Design, Despina started designing kitchens and bathrooms. In 2005 she moved to Hong Kong to design hotels for brands such as Marriott, MGM Grand, Hilton and Mandarin Oriental. Back in Australia, Despina completed projects for Starwood and IHG. Today, she loves being an educator and teaching future generations to design better.
Catarina Viseu
Catarina has a Master’s degree in Architecture and a Postgraduate qualification in Art studies. She actively collaborates with designers in the industry and has significant experience in residential, commercial and hospitality interior design. Catarina believes that interior design has the power to transform people’s lives.
Magdalena Jurkowska
Magdalena is an Interior Architect and Graphic Designer with 10 years of professional design practice along with academic experience in teaching and research. She has previously held a tutoring role with the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. Magdalena holds a doctoral degree in Fine Arts specialising in Interior Architecture. While working in design studios and as a freelancer, she was involved in various design disciplines, from residential design, retail and cafes to medical offices and museum exhibition design. She sees teaching as a way to share her passion of observing and analysing the relationship between the architectural environment and its users. Magdalena is a member of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA).
Rute Loureiro
Rute Loureiro graduated with an MA in Architecture and has been working as an Architect for the past 10 years, both in multidisciplinary studios and in her own practice. She has a special interest in conservation and restoration, as well as in interior and furniture design. In recent years, she has worked for an interior architecture and design studio who specialise in turn-key hospitality projects for hotels and cruise ships.