A designer from Wagga Wagga has taken out the 2009 Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award.
Rohan Nicol won the prestigious award worth $30,000 at last nights ceremony for his work titled Peppered Sunlight.
Peppered Sunlight is a large pendant light that has a large horizontal footprint yet maintains a small vertical profile. Closer inspection of the light reveals subtle curves and distinctive detailing, while the diffuser carries a graphic image providing diffuse light appropriate for commercial entertainment venues such as bars and restaurants.
At this stage the graphic is available in three different options and is illuminated by a dimmable compact fluorescent globe.
The delicate quality of sunlight filtered through trees was the initial inspiration behind this product, said Nicol, who added that another source of inspiration for the piece came from his desire to build linkages between Australian designers and manufacturers.
“I have strategically designed this product to apply underutilised manufacturing capacity in regional Australia. Peppered Sunlight is, in part, inspired by the ‘potentials’ of my manufacturing partner with whom I have developed a close collaborative relationship.”
Nicol said his prize money would go towards establishing international distribution in the US and Europe, design and development of three new lighting products, perfecting light emitting diode technologies (LED’s) and the marketing of the Peppered Light.
“This award is important as it allows designers to finish off the work that they have begun in their studios.” Nicol will also travel to Milan next year as part of the prize for the International Design Fair.
Judge Terri Winter, managing director of retail outlet Top3 by Design, said Nicol’s piece was one of those pieces which at glance went a little un-noticed.
“But, it has an interesting combination of traditional techniques in using ambient light with really modern, really well resolved finishes,” she said.
The use of dimmable fixtures, which are still environmentally sound, was one of the more outstanding elements of the piece said Winter.
“Most of the new eco globes are not dimmable- which I think would be a backward step for design if lightning was only at one setting the whole time.”
She added: “His relationship with the manufacturer is also an interesting step forward in Australia because manufacturing is a difficult step for young designers. There are problems with producing things inexpensively in Australia- many designers have attempted and tried and in the end either quality, timing or costs have forced them to go overseas.”
The top 10 pieces are on show at the Establishment Hotel Sydney until 28 November before moving to Melbourne’s Silk Road from 22 February- 4 April and then Brisbane’s Cloudland from 2 May - 13 June.
