Submissions have now closed for the biennual International Design Award 2011, with judges getting ready to make their selection from the high calibre of award entrants.

This year the judging panel for the Award – originally established by German companies Hettich and REHAU to foster the talents of young designers – has a special representative from the Southern Hemisphere.

Acclaimed kitchen designer Mal Corboy has been chosen as adjudicating panel member at the event, to be held in Germany in March 2011.

Kitchen design by Mal Corboy

Corboy – brand ambassador to Hettich Australia/NZ and the only designer to have won the award himself in both countries – is excited to have been selected to sit alongside some of the most prominent architects, designers and university lecturers from around the world.

“I feel extremely privileged to be invited to be involved in such a prestigious international award,” Corboy said.

“For generations we’ve looked to Europe for our inspiration, but now it is our turn to be recognised as a nation of great design.”

The International Design Award is well regarded for its history of promoting innovation and acting as a forum for monitoring trends, and Corboy’s involvement is a significant accolade.

“A few years ago this would have been unlikely,” said Dave Angus, Marketing Manager of Hettich Australia.

“This invitation shows that the rest of the world is waking up to the quality of our talent and fresh outlook of our designers.”

Corboy will be looking for innovation, originality and engagement in the winning design.

“The best design is borne out of passion and incites an emotion with the viewer,” he says.

Hettich Australia
hettich.com.au