13 April 2010

Design Now! at Object

The annual graduate exhibition opened last week at Object Gallery to reveal the latest products of Australian graduate talent.

Showcasing the work of the most outstanding design and applied arts graduates across the country, Design Now! features the designs of three finalists across a number of design categories.

This year’s competitive exhibition saw over 250 nominations from university lecturers nationwide, making it the largest pool to date.

With such a diverse array of works, the Design Now! 2010 finalists captured the innovative nature of contemporary design.

Three finalists were chosen by an esteemed panel of judges – among them Indesign Group Editorial Director Paul McGillick – across each of the six categories, from Built Environment through to Design for the Body.

“Design Now! threw up 18 finalists, all very good and very diverse,” said McGillick. “Overall, I thought the finalists generally showed a great sensitivity to and interest in materials.”

Amy Carr Bottomley – an RMIT University graduate – took home the coveted ‘Living Edge Travelling Scholarship’ for her innovative Origamic Textiles series.

Made from thermoplastic fibres produced from recycled plastic, the textiles were both flexible and rigid, through a process of moulding and heat setting.

The ‘Object Award for Creative Innovation’ went to Emi Fukuda and Zaki Arif.

“One problem we encountered as judges was to establish common criteria for the industrial design work and the studio-based work – hence, awarding the innovation prize jointly to Emi Fukuda’s jewellery and Zaki Arif’s fireman’s respirator,” said McGillick, of the panel's decision to award a joint prize.

Fukuda’s polyurethane resin jewellery was considered both playful and technically skilled, while Zaki Arif of Swinburne University was recognised for his concept respirator designed specifically for bush fire fighters.

“What was also encouraging was the rigour of the design process and the way it was revealed in the presentations – especially true of winners, Zaki Arif and Amy Carr Bottomley.”

Design Now! 2010 is showing at Object Gallery until 30 May 2010.

Design Now! 2010
object.com.au/designnow

Amy Carr Bottomley, designer of the Origamic Textiles (hero image)

Emi Fukuda, joint winner of the ‘Object Award for Creative Innovation’

emi fukuda necklace

My Childhood Habitat, 2009, by Emi Fukuda

zaki harif

Zaki Arif, joint winner of the ‘Object Award for Creative Innovation’

zaki harif design for fire

Can Design Improve Thermal Comfort for Forest Fire Fighters? 2009, by Zaki Arif