Anthony Caggiano finds out why the DIA SA Branch’s annual awards are set to be the best yet.

This year’s Design Insititute of Australia Laminex Group South Australian Design Awards Program is expected to be fierce, as local designers emerge from the global financial crisis and the Adelaide Zoo plays host. 

DIA SA Branch member and designer of this year’s logo Lesley Williams said this year’s awards, themed “Design Kingdom (it’s a jungle out there!)” was inspired by the Zoo, which recently received five Architecture Institute of Australia – 2010 South Australian Architecture awards.

“This year’s event showcases our design scene at its absolute best, with a play on survival, instinct, evolution and power,” Miss Williams said.

The event’s theme has even continued to the event’s logo. The crown represents a ‘kingdom’ and prestige, while the pearls divide the crown in to the event’s object, built environment and communication categories.

Branch Co-President Neroli Hutchinson said the poor economic climate of 2009 was a blessing in disguise for the design industry.

“We believe the effects of the GFC can increase the creativity and clever thinking to create more with less,” Ms Hutchinson said.

“The strength of the South Australian design community is great and we aim to bring this talent to the notice of the wider community.”

Entries for the awards will be judged on Saturday 11 September.

The awards will be presented at the Adelaide Zoo, Frome Road, Adelaide on Saturday 13 November.

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