Celebrating the Digital/Graphic Designer of the Year Finalists

Jun 19

Digital/Graphic of the Year Finalists 2025

Introducing the 2025 finalists for Graphic / Digital Designer of the Year. These designers have turned ideas into striking visuals, brought fresh thinking to every brief, and produced work that genuinely moves the needle for their clients. Each finalist shows how great design can inform, inspire, and make a lasting impression.

Hannah Williamson - The Professional Golfers' Association (The PGA)

About:
Hannah is graphic designer for The Professional Golfers’ Association, pairing her love of golf with brand-led, digital and print design. From real-time leaderboard graphics to brochures to the launch of The PGA Shop, Hannah crafts visuals that engage players, members and fans alike. With a strong foundation in both digital and print design, Hannah ensures that every asset she produces is not only visually compelling but also effective in driving engagement and reinforcing the brand.

Reason for Shortlisting:
Hannah has been shortlisted because she pairs world-class design skill with an insider’s passion for golf, delivering measurable impact for The PGA across print, digital and live events. Her portfolio spans everything from real-time leaderboard graphics and tournament rebrands to the end-to-end UI build of the not-for-profit PGA Shop. She consistently translates complex briefs into cohesive, on-brand visuals that widen golf’s appeal, while her ongoing studies for a Postgraduate CIM Level 6 Diploma in Professional Marketing & Management demonstrate a commitment to strategic growth.

Linda Bucksey - LR Creative Studio

About:
Linda is a graphic designer with more than 10 years of experience. Today, Linda runs her own design practice, partnering primarily with brands in Web3 and finance. She and team build brands, design websites and apps, craft investment-ready pitch decks, and create event collateral. Alongside delivery work, Linda advises startups on when – and where – to invest in design, never recommending a new logo or rebrand if what they have already works.

Reason for Shortlisting:
Linda earned her spot on the shortlist because she pairs top-tier design talent with a people-first business ethos. As founder and lead creative of her studio, she prioritises honest guidance, building long-term client trust in the process. In the high-pressure Web3 arena she insists on realistic timelines and clear communication so creativity never comes at the cost of health. Constantly upskilling through industry workshops, Linda leads by example: curious, supportive and purpose-driven.

Berenice Howard-Smith - Hello Lovely Design and Co, and The Full Stop CIC

About:
A lifelong designer since winning a Blue Peter badge for drawing, Berenice has spent 20 years turning ideas into clear, type-led visuals. Armed with a master’s degree in Graphic Design & Typography, she has produced work for national names such as The National Trust, Teenage Cancer Trust, UPS, Pearson, Wiley, Macmillan and Penguin, while bringing the same design sparkle to sole traders, wellness practitioners and authors.

Reason for Shortlisting:
Berenice has been shortlisted for her blend of design excellence, social impact and resilience. After a difficult period in her life, she reinvested in an MA, taught herself web coding and built Hello Lovely into a micro-agency that now serves multiple clients. She shares her expertise through 100+ educational blog posts, mentoring and internships, and co-founded Full Stop CIC – supporting the global childless-not-by-choice community.

Oana Nechifor - Oana Nechifor Ltd

About:
Oana is a visual and motion designer who turns purpose-driven missions into clear, compelling stories. Oana combines her skills in animation, illustration, and design to move beyond “nice-looking” graphics to create various types of content, from marketing materials to company communications, social media posts, and educational content that solve real communication problems.

Reason for Shortlisting:
Over the last 12 months, Oana has transformed her practice from producing stand-alone visuals to acting as a strategic storytelling partner for purpose-driven brands. She re-engineered her business – investing in training, gathering client insight and completely rebranding – to focus on turning organisational values into motion- and illustration-led design systems that cut through noise, save costs and inspire action.

Joanne Higgs - Jo Higgs Creative

About:
Jo is a freelance logo and brand designer with more than a decade of experience. She specialises in crafting standout visual identities for female-led ventures and primary-care-giver-run companies, delivering everything from complete brand builds and rebrands to the print and digital assets that keep those brands consistent. Jo also hosts free masterclasses in women-focused communities, co-mentors with industry peers, and shares practical design advice across her channels.

Reason for Shortlisting:
Jo earned her shortlist spot for combining first-class design craft with a mission to lift up women-led businesses. She delivers affordable branding that helps primary-care-giver founders attract “dream” customers, while running free masterclasses and co-mentoring sessions so smaller-budget start-ups can still access expert guidance. Clients praise her clear communication, empathy, and ongoing promotion of their ventures – evidence that she is more than a designer; she is a partner, cheerleader, and catalyst for women’s business confidence and growth.

Mila Golomuz - Unlimit

About:
With 8 years’ experience Mila leads design at Unlimit. A multidisciplinary creative who grew up sketching in museums and sewing at the kitchen table, it was through presenting her ideas – designing brochures, presentations, and visual assets – that she truly discovered her passion for graphic design.

Reason for Shortlisting:
Mila has been shortlisted because she treats design as a strategic lever, not just a visual add-on. Her career has seen her move from hands-on senior designer to leading Unlimit’s creative team, steering award-winning fintech campaigns that turned bold ideas into measurable results. Equally, she mentors colleagues, refines processes, and is constantly looking for ways to keep pushing creative boundaries. That blend of craft, leadership, and passion for impactful design embodies the spirit of this award.

The Digital Women Awards are proud to celebrate these extraordinary individuals.