Blok Furniture and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Interior Design students will launch a collaborative project at Brisbane Indesign this year.

In an attempt to ‘bridge the gap’ between ‘free-thinking’ students and the commercial world of the design industry, Blok are helping students to develop furniture concepts into a commercially viable product.

“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, director of Blok.

The 3rd Year Interior Design students designed and made pieces of furniture from recycled materials in Semester one of 2008. They then worked with Blok to develop sketches for a viable product.

“Some competitions have a prize, but no actual long-term benefit for the participant.
Thanks to Indesign, this project has been given a professional stage where the students
can exhibit, network with potential employers and future colleagues, collaborate with
a manufacturer, and if successful, gain financial benefit from their ingenuity,” Park says.

The winning group’s piece will be developed by Blok into a viable 3D prototype and included in their range of furniture, with the winning students receiving a commission on any item sold.

For those attending Brisbane Indesign on Saturday 20 September, the ‘QUT Student Blok’ exhibition will display both prototypes and sketches of the student designs at Lightspace Studios, upstairs in the impressive (soon to be opened) Light St space.

www.blokfurniture.com.au

 
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Lightspace is a brand new venue opening in time for Brisbane Indesign, and sponsored by the Laminex Group for the event. Designed by local architect Stephen Cameron of Ark Atelier, it will be a future destination for product launches, creative events and industry functions.

While visiting the ‘QUT Student Blok’ at BiD, make sure you head downstairs as well to see a collection of companies including Small Australian Projects, Uplifting Solutions, Todd Office Furniture and Thonet, who are also exhibiting. This is a great opportunity to be inspired by new products and catch the latest from these innovative companies – all in one space.

www.lightspace.net.au

www.ark.net.au