VIVID, Vibrant Visions in Design, is Australia’s longest running design competition and a highlight of Decor + Design, which took place last week 10-13 July, 2014 at Furnitex, Melbourne Exhibition Centre. Five winners were presented with an Award of Excellence in Design on the opening day of Decor + Design, across student, concept, commercial and lighting categories.
VIVID 2014 featured more than 80 innovative pieces by 58 emerging designers, and a panel of ten industry experts selected the winning designs.
‘To date VIVID has assisted over 600 designers kick-start their careers, and we look forward to seeing this year’s group of designers launch their pieces in the market’, said VIVID Curator Caroline Caneva.
Winner of the Beacon Lighting Award — Best Lighting Product, and $5,000 is Rowan Page, Marinos Drake and Ilya Fridman of Studio Batch (Vic) with Diagrid Pendant. Inspired by the limitless possibilities presented by 3D printing, the Diagrid pendants are formed through computerised code and generated in a unique form each time they are printed.
Winner of the Commercial Award and $1,000 is Fabio Biavaschi (BIA.d fabiobiavaschi.designstudio, Vic), for Mekac01. Biavaschi’s design is a utilitarian piece, which retains a playfulness in its appearance inspired by MECCANO, the building game for children. Featuring sturdy wing nuts and flat pack construction, the judging panel commented that the piece ‘has a rugged design that not only suits the Australian lifestyle, but has strong sustainability credentials’.
Winner of the Green Award and $1,000 is Yulia Holil (Central Institute of Technology, WA) for Sandwiched Shelf, a modular and adjustable free-standing shelving system designed to fit any number of interiors. The judges noted the piece was designed for disassembly, flat packed for a reduced transportation impact and carbon footprint, and is modular, ensuring continued use and relevance.
Winner of the Student Award and $2,000 is Jeewon Choi (Lidcome College NSW) for Flowlight. Flowlight is made out of a veneer sheet that has been laminated to cardboard and then bent. The judging panel commented on Choi’s innovative use of materials, his superb execution of detail, and the commercial viability of the piece.
Winner of the Concept Award and $1,000 is Adam Raphael Markowitz (Markowitzdesign, Vic) for Fred. The Fred table celebrates the beauty of natural, sustainably sourced Australian timber (Tas oak and jarrah) combined with a modern and classic Danish design. The piece was described by the judging panel ‘as elegant and sophisticated with very fine detail’.
Winner of the Student Award and $2,000 is Jeewon Choi (Lidcome College NSW) for Flowlight. Flowlight is made out of a veneer sheet that has been laminated to cardboard and then bent. The judging panel commented on Choi’s innovative use of materials, his superb execution of detail, and the commercial viability of the piece.