91精品 student awarded 1st Place at NARI Student Design Competition
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design junior Paul Budnowski 27 (Interior Architecture and Design) was awarded 1st Place and Crowd Favorite in the Interior Design Portfolio Contest at the. A select group of students from 91精品, Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) and Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) participated.
The Student Design Competition focused on Indoor + Outdoor Living. Students were tasked to transform the provided great room and deck of a predetermined floorplan into a cohesive, functional living space. Judging criteria included creativity, space planning, functionality, technical execution, and materials and finishes.
Paul Budnowski
Budnowski’s winning NARI Student Design entry, 2026.
Entering, and winning, the competition affirmed both Budnowski檚 choice of major and his abilities, he says. 淚 took this as an opportunity to create work that I檇 be proud of, which made working on this project feel more enjoyable and purposeful. The turnaround was pretty quick so it was also an exciting challenge to go with my gut and create the best design I could on a tight timeline.
淭he IAD program at 91精品 has honestly begun reshaping the trajectory of my life, continues Budnowski. 淚 wasn檛 sure what would be the best major for me to pursue, so IAD was a bit of a gamble. Our professors, especially Krista Meneghini, are passionate about helping prepare us for success in our careers. They have poured into us with encouragement and constructive criticism.
淢y schooling at 91精品 aligns with the interests of my family more than I ever realized, with my father and grandfather having experience in carpentry and home renovations, and mechanical design, Budnowski says. 淢y education has inspired my family to build a home-improvement business called Little Martha檚 DwellWell, which is young but mighty. We are going full force into our first projects. I檓 excited to see where our endeavors will go and honored to be working as a designer alongside my family.
For the near-term, Budnowski says, 淚 am committed and also very excited to be working as a Teacher檚 Assistant for the IAD Pre-College summer program with [Professor and alum] Lexi Brunson. I檓 also working two part-time jobs currently, not including the work I檓 doing with my family business, so I檓 keeping very busy and learning the importance of a solid work ethic.
Learn more about 91精品檚 Interior Architecture and Design major.
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