Brisbane-based company Blok Furniture joined forces with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) during Brisbane Indesign ’08 to create a student furniture competition and exhibition.

“We wanted to actively assist students by sponsoring a design competition where they have the opportunity to develop a viable prototype that could be manufactured and marketed to the wider design community,” says Richard Park, Blok’s Director.

The inaugural program asked students to design innovative pieces of furniture using re-cycled materials or re-using found objects. The students worked in groups of six to create their prototypes.

“This experience has substantial learning benefits for the students by engaging in the process of metamorphosis from two to three dimensions. In addition, the pragmatics of dealing with suppliers, manufactures as well as raising funds make this a unique component to the student experience,” says Michael Molloy, QUT Interior Design lecturer.

Brisbane Indesign visitors to the QUT Student Blok exhibition at Lightspace were asked to vote for a winner. ‘Shoebox’ was chosen for its creative use of a Brisbane icon – the now defunct City Council steel bins.

With ‘Shoebox’ Richelle Cranston, Katy Roberts, Hannah Slater and Jo Waterhouse explored the potential of this discarded item for use in a shoe store display.

The Blok design team will now develop the prototype into a product with broad appeal and a wider range of uses, while maintaining the unique and quirky nature of the original design.

“We see this event as part of an ongoing commitment to fostering new design talent in Australia,” says Park. “We’ve really enjoyed the experience, and look forward to further collaborations with QUT students in the years to come.”

blokfurniture.com.au
qut.edu.au