Creative whiz-kids VIVID designers
Sydney Morning Herald
Thursday July 30, 2009
Australian furniture's brightest minds are inspired by the world around them, writes Judy Barouch. They are the design industry's rising stars: up-and-comers who have each dreamt up an ingenious idea and run with it. Their creations €“ the smart, the stylish, the green and the outright quirky €“ were showcased at VIVID (Vibrant Visions in Design) held at this month's Furnitex furniture and furnishings trade fair.Uli Hasel, VIVID'S curator since the award's inception in 2003, sought submissions Australia-wide from tertiary institutions and design schools and she was blown away by the standard of entries. Forty-six finalists were eventually selected, with 92 items going on display at Melbourne's Exhibition Centre."Those short-listed were chosen across student, concept, green and commercial categories. Designers had to be Australia-based, their piece less than 18 months old and Australian-made," Hasel says.While seating was most popular, with more than 30 stools, chairs and sofas entered, the variety of products ranged from wallpaper that lights up to a cot made from recycled paper.Choosing winners was no mean feat for these judges €“ Home Beautiful editor Wendy Moore; Zuster Furniture's Wilhelmina McCarroll; Red Dust Furniture's Lee Kidman and Kel Dummett from Design for Sustainability. "The winning entries were all skilfully finished with exceptional attention to detail," Hasel says.Commercial award winner was industrial designer Corey Baker, 28.It was while backpacking around Norway last year that the glacier-carved Lofoten Islands sparked Baker's imagination, resulting in his Lofoten Lounger, which the judges described as "well made, beautifully finished with gentle lines, soft edges and a flowing form".The lightweight lounger is crafted from bamboo and treated with a natural oil finish. "Designers are increasingly embracing bamboo as it is very environmentally sustainable," Hasel says.Winner in the green category was Joanna Butler, 25, with her eco-cool Flip 'n' Latch. Made from plantation timber, Enviro Foam and wool, the bed-ottoman-recliner can fold into more than eight configurations."My inspiration was a Jacob's Ladder [toy]. Children's toys are dynamic objects that encourage interaction and I like creating engaging and playful designs," Butler says, adding that her multitasking piece would suit inner-city living.Student prototype winner, Kieran Choy, 24, submitted his UTS graduation major work, the Aura stool. He says he aimed to capture the feel of a torus (a roughly doughnut shape)."It complements my Aura table, which won an award last year. Both pieces would suit informal corporate meeting spaces," Choy says.While the majority of VIVID designers can be classed as emerging, the standouts weren't only young guns. Some well-developed designs came from skilled craftspeople. For instance, winner in the concept category was Tim Coffey with his boundary-breaking Prototype chair crafted from exquisite salvaged timbers.Says Hasel: "These are all definitely designers to watch."And the winners are ...Joanna Butler: Flip 'n' Latch, $999, flipnlatch.com, 0411 856 229.Corey Baker: Lofoten Lounger, $4500, Riva Limited Edition Furniture, rivafurniture.com.au, 0425 745 065. The lounger will be on display at Launch Pad for two weeks from today at Living Edge, Surry Hills, 9640 5600.Kieran Choy: Aura Stool, 0402 912 417.
© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald
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