DAE Celebrates 2022’s BA Graduates

he event celebrated the achievements of the BA graduates with a warm gathering of students, tutors, heads and staff at the Academy building. It was also an emotional farewell to two well-loved departments.

Kicking off the ceremony, Joseph Grima, Creative Director of DAE, talked about his admiration for the outstanding depth and quality of this year’s collection of BA graduation projects. Referring to the strong bond the Academy likes to build with its alumni, Grima noted: “This is not the last you will hear from us, it is actually just the beginning.”

This year also marks an important milestone, the 75th anniversary of the Academy – an occasion that has been encapsulated in an intergenerational graduation show on display in Milan during this year’s Salone. In the words of Grima, this show represents “a very moving moment, highlighting the evolution of the Academy’s boundary-pushing design, while also displaying a powerful intertwinement of past and recent generations.”

The event ended with a heartfelt farewell from Catelijne van Middelkoop, head of the Communication department, and Marije Vogelzang, head of the Food Non Food department, as both of their departments concluded their trajectories.

The ceremony was live-streamed so that family members and friends could watch from around the world, as the heads of the eight BA Studios thanked their teams and congratulated their graduating students. They also announced the Cum Laude recipients and the nominees for the Melkweg award, honouring an exceptional level of talent at BA level, and the René Smeets award, which recognises notable professionalism from a graduate’s project.

Irene Droogleever Fortuyn, head of Studio Urgencies, announced a Melkweg nomination for Floor van der Wal, and a René Smeets nomination for Josha Veldheer.

Vic Cautereels, head of Studio Turnaround, communicated Cum Laude honours for Milan Baas and Savine Schoorl, who also secured a Melkweg nomination. He also revealed a René Smeets nomination for Thomas Mair.

Ferdinand Schmeits, head of Studio Identity, announced a Melkweg nomination for Chai Dienn, and a René Smeets nomination for Dylan Sprik.

Stijn Roodnat, head of Studio Public Private, communicated Cum Laude honours for Amy Lewis, Josie Andersen, Jelle Seegers, who also obtained a Melkweg nomination, and Jibbe van Schie, also nominated for the René Smeets award.

Mario Minale, head of The Invisible Studio, announced Cum Laude honours for Yuanhan (John) Shen, Virgile Durando, Eric Grenard, Tom Schoonhoven and Bruno Szenk, who also secured a Melkweg nomination. He also announced a René Smeets nomination for Gereon Wahle.

Thomas Lommée, head of The Morning Studio, declared Cum Laude honours for Dana Savić, who also secured a Melkweg nomination. He also informed of a René Smeets nomination for Viktoriya Gotseva.

Catelijne van Middelkoop, head of Studio Moonshots, recognized Cum Laude honours for Luca Muscia, Marie Verdeil, and Salomé Louise Sperling, who also achieved a Melkweg nomination, and Marie Verdeil, also nominated for the René Smeets award.

Marije Vogelzang, head of Studio Living Matter, announced Cum Laude honours for Jasper Bloem, Camille Pelissou, who also secured a René Smeets nomination. She also made known a Melkweg nomination for Leon Barre.