Marrickville resident Nikita Sukhanov left a budding career in business in his home country of Russia to follow his passion for arts in Australia, and recently picked up a prestigious award.

Nikita was recently announced as one of the winners of the annual Ball & Doggett student design contest, along with six other students from TAFE NSW Enmore.  

Nikita studied a Certificate IV in Graphic Design at at TAFE NSW Design Centre Enmore before enrolling in a Diploma of Graphic Design.His entering the industry at a great time,, as there is a projected 21.7 per cent increase in employment opportunities in Graphic Design in Australia over the next four years The number of Graphic Designers is likely to reach over 78,000 by the end of 2026.

“My first degree is International Business. So I worked in a big international audit company, but after two and a half years, I realised that I'm a creative person and I have a passion for arts”, Nikita said.

"I knew I wanted to do something different and change things up. After the corporate job, I travelled the world for five years, working in different industries and saving money to go to Australia to study graphic design.” 

 “I really like how the teachers at TAFE NSW focus on the practical skills needed to do the job, having teachers come from direct from industry and pass those skills on is valuable. It gives me confidence thatwhat I’m learning is going to help me on the job.

“I would like to finish my Diploma in Graphic Design, and find a job in design that can provide me with sponsorship for work,” Nikita said.

The Ball & Doggett GSM Student Design Contes is a competition where the winning Graphic Design students showcase their talents to the industry and practice their design skills in a live job.

TAFE NSW Head Teacher of Graphic Design, Louise Lammers said, “We are beyond proud of Nikita and the TAFE NSW students winning this year's Ball & Doggett GSM Student Design Contest.

"Nikitas's story is a testament to realising your dream and following it. Thanks to their commitment to building practical skills and taking advantage of the industry connections at TAFE NSW, he and the other students are on the way to joining an industry calling out to talented professionals".

Media contact: Callum Darby-Linfitt, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, 02 7921 1823 callum.darbylinfitt@tafensw.edu.au