Marymount University design students are gaining recognition for their work on a global stage after earning top placements in the prestigious Steelcase NEXT Student Design Competition, one of the leading contests for emerging designers.
Anastasiia “Ana” Skvortsova, a Master of Interior Architecture and Design (IAD) student, was named a top five finalist in February while Leila Lajdel, a junior in the Interior Architecture and Design bachelor’s program, placed among the top 68 of 1,700 submissions worldwide.
Marymount has a strong history in the competition—Joy Xu earned a spot in the top 28 in 2024, while Lisa Ferguson ’17 and Heather Furman ’15 were also honored in previous years. For both Skvortsova and Lajdel, the recognition reflects their individual talent and the strength of Marymount’s collaborative, research-driven design program.
“The Steelcase NEXT Competition is among the most competitive in our field, and for our students to place in the top 68 and top five overall is a tremendous achievement and a proud moment for Marymount,” said Salvatore Pirrone, Assistant Professor of Design and Skvortsova’s project mentor.
Ana Skvortsova, Top Five Steelcase Finalist
Originally from Russia, Skvortsova began her career in software engineering before pivoting to design during the COVID-19 pandemic. After taking online courses in art history and design, she realized the field aligned with a longtime passion. She credits Marymount’s program for helping her grow creatively and technically in a supportive environment.
“It doesn’t feel like constant competition between students,” Skvortsova said. “Everyone is willing to share ideas and support each other. That makes a huge difference.”
She encountered the Steelcase NEXT Competition through her design studio course, where the project is integrated into the curriculum. This year’s challenge tasked students with designing a modern law firm in Los Angeles, requiring them to rethink how professional environments support productivity, collaboration and well-being.
Skvortsova took a research-driven approach to the project, studying both the location and workplace behaviors within law firms. Her final design, “Rooted in Law,” was inspired by the history of the site, once Union Station in Los Angeles. She incorporated architectural references to create a “bridge between the past and present,” including a reception area inspired by the station’s original information desk.
After advancing to the final round, Skvortsova traveled to Grand Rapids, Mich., to present her design to a panel of industry professionals. The experience included touring Steelcase’s headquarters, networking with designers and attending a dinner at the Meyer May House, a historic home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
“We present our work regularly in the program, so explaining your ideas becomes second nature,” Skvortsova said. “The feedback from professors and classmates helped me refine my design and how I communicate it.”
Looking ahead, she aims to work at a firm that emphasizes research-driven design and encourages collaboration. She hopes other second-career students like herself find the courage to explore their passions and take risks.
“We only have one life,” Skvortsova reflected. “If you find something that truly gives your life meaning, you should go for it.”
Leila Lajdel, Top 68 Designer
Lajdel initially came to Marymount to play on the Women’s Soccer team, discovering the design program along the way. She cites the program’s faculty and close-knit learning environment as key factors in her development as a designer.
“The professors are amazing—they’re super knowledgeable and really supportive,” she said. “With the small class sizes, they know your project and what you’re trying to do, so you get that specialized attention.”
In preparing for the Steelcase NEXT Competition, Lajdel focused on spatial planning and user experience. One of the most challenging aspects was working within the constraints of the provided floor plan.
“Steelcase provides a floorplan for you to build around, and purposely adds things like random windows or pillars to force designers to problem solve,” she said. “It was tricky, but I’m really proud of how it came out.”
Her design, “Turning the Page to the Future of Legality,” reimagined a literary law firm, blending functionality with creativity through bold materials and unexpected elements such as green marble pillars and textured ceilings that create a more dynamic space.
“I didn’t know if I had what it took when I first started,” Lajdel explained. “So to be in the top 68, I feel self-assured now. I know this is where I’m supposed to be.”
Jessica Bonness, Associate Professor of Design and the Interior Architecture and Design program director, praised Skvortsova and Lajdel for their success.
“The Steelcase NEXT Student Design Competition is a rite of passage for so many design students and is a hallmark of our design curriculum. We are honored to have such a strong history of success in this competition. As we celebrate Ana and Leila this year, we look forward to many more years of engagement with Steelcase NEXT.”
