The winners of the VIVID (Vibrant Visions In Design) 2014 design awards have been announced, a playful chair, modular shelving and 3D printed light designs were among the winners.

VIVID is Australia’s longest running design competition for emerging designers, and aims to unearth the next generation of furniture design talent.

Winners from over 50 finalists have been announced across the Student, Commercial, Concept, Lighting and Green categories.

The judging panel consisting of:

  • Christopher Boots – Principal at Christopher Boots
  • Deeana Corleto – Creative Director at Beacon Lighting
  • Jan Flook, Director at Jan Flook Lighting
  • Jan Henderson, Co-editor of (inside) magazine
  • Valerie Mack, Managing Director at HBA Associates
  • Caecilia Potter, Design Director at Atticus & Milo
  • Scott Robinson – Lighting Design & Merchandise Manager- Commercial Major Projects – Beacon Lighting
  • Tom Shaw, Head of Design and Jardan
  • Sonia Simpfendorfer – Director at Nexus Designs
  • Gordon Tait, Owner of Tait

The winners and all finalists will be showcased throughout Furnitex from 10-13 July 2014 at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

The winners:

Commercial Award Winner:
Fabio Biavaschi, with Mek_ac01 (VIC)

Citation:

Fabio’s winning design is MEK_ac0, inspired by MECCANO, the famous building game for kids. The idea is to keep the playful appearance and transform it into furnishings.

Utilitarian piece that has a playfulness in its design, the Judges loved the wing nuts and the flat pack construction. This piece has a rugged design that suits the Australian lifestyle and strong sustainability credentials.

Green Award Winner:
Yulia Holil, with Sandwiched Shelf (WA)

Citation:

Sandwiched Shelf is a modular and adjustable free-standing shelving system designed to be adaptable to fit different interiors, with easy assembly and disassembly for transportation.

The judges notes that this piece was designed for disassembly, flat packed for reduced transportation impact and is modular which will ensure continuing relevance.

Student Award Winner:
Jeewon Choi, with Flowlight (NSW)

Citation:

Jeewon’s winning design Flowlight is made out of veneer sheet that has been laminated to cardboard then bended.

Judges thought this design was innovative with its use of materials with through research and development. It’s very translatable to multiple forms and very commercially viable. Over all a superb execution of details.

Concept Award Winner:
Adam Raphael Markowitz, with Fred (VIC)

Citation:

Described by the judging panel “As a concept, quite elegant and sophisticated with very fine detail”. The Fred table celebrates the beauty of natural, sustainably sourced Australian timber (Tasmanian Oak and Jarrah) combined with a modern and classic Danish design.

Lighting Award Winner:
Rowan Page, Marinos Drake & Ilya Fridman with Diagrid Pendant (VIC)

Citation:

Inspired by the limitless possibilities presented by 3D printing the Diagrid lights are formed through computerised code and generated in a unique form each time it is printed. The aim to create unique and beautiful pieces of design while developing new process and practice.

The trio are interested in exploring the ways emerging technologies impact upon existing design methodologies. Their professional experience range from in-house work at General Motors Holden to design consultancy work for clients such as misschu, Penfolds, and BlueAnt.

Described by the judging panel as “an excellent design and the only entry using 3D printing in the Lighting Category”

Images: Supplied.