The Launch Pad program for 2008 has been one of the most successful yet. Presented in association with Saturday in Design, with the generous support of Living Edge and Woven Image, 24 finalist prototypes were exhibited at the Melbourne Museum. The exhibition was built using Woven Image product Echo Panel™ and the expertise of bangdesign, Xilo and Source One for everything from concept design to realisation and installation.

This year’s mentoring afternoon followed a slightly different path to previous years. Launch Pad Ambassador, Simone LeAmon, led a fruitful critique and discussion session that allowed our talented designers and invited mentors to ask questions and offer suggestions about a wide variety of design related issues. International guests Harald Gründl and Michael Plank joined over 20 leading industry figures for an afternoon of informal presentations sharing their global design knowledge and expertise.

Our Industry Evening was the perfect wrap up to Launch Pad for this year, celebrating the success of our finalists and the dedication of our sponsors and Angels in Design industry network. Launch Pad for 2009 has truly been a celebration of emerging design in Australia. It was the perfect way to start a week of Saturday in Design festivities, reminding us that there is certainly a bright future ahead for our Launch Pad finalists and our local design scene.

Prizes were awarded to the following designers and products:

Indesign Award

Ross Nicholls and Greg Scott with ‘Shell’ stools + chairs – Borrowing principles from architecture and aerospace design, the chairs and stools achieve remarkable strength with minimal materials.

Living Edge Award

Ross Gardam for ‘Flat Jack’ – A lightweight, eco bookcase.

Woven Image Award

Keith Melbourne with ‘Twighlight’ – A desk lamp combining the latest LED technology with strength, beauty and simplicity.

Source One Packers’ Prize

Andrew Grigor with ‘Bam Bam Baby’ – A modern and sustainable tricycle alternative.

Launch Pad is the most extensive Australian initiative aimed at directly developing the careers of Australian product designers.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Missed out on the exhibition? Check out our galleries for some great pics. 

(Hero image – Twighlight by Keith Melbourne)

Crowds at Launch Pad