Student team topples reigning champions.

Energy, humour and a (perhaps unhealthy?) dose of mayhem accompanied this year’s Iron Designer event on Friday night at Federation Square BMW Edge – one of the closing events of State of Design, Melbourne.

Basing its formula on the kitsch Japanese TV show Iron Chef, the formula involves design teams of three who have a set amount of time to respond to three random words and create something out of paper, sticky tape, paint and boxes.

Eight teams went head to head in two rounds of four, with each winning team going into a finals round with the winners of last year’s event.

Memorable teams included Maddison Design (who were finalists thanks to their cardboard plane propelled on a piece of string over the heads of the audience), Phooey architects (whose creation was forgettable in comparison to their assault in paint on judge Andrew MacKenzie) and winners Monash University (who reminded the audience at regular intervals that they are only honours students and don’t have jobs yet).

There was a bald head painted blue to represent the earth, Svetlana, the Russian damsel who sells her kisses, plus green vomit, aliens from outer space, exploding virgins and much much more.

MC Tony Wilson helped shape the disorder, along with comments from the judges David Berman, Barry Barton, Andrew Mackenzie and Esther Anatolitis.

But the highlight of the lot was the introductory videos for each team which listed their favourite hero, supervillain, historical event and more – and the videos to introduce each key word. Put together by Studio Binocular, these were fast, funny and set the pace for the evening. Properly controlled chaos can sometimes be the best entertainment.

stateofdesign.com.au

Words: Penny Craswell