Now in its tenth year, Launch Pad is an annual competition and mentorship program giving emerging Australian industrial designers a foot in the door and, once the foot’s in, a helping hand to get further. Their motto is, “From prototype to production”, and their programme includes intensive mentoring sessions in Sydney and Melbourne for the top 50 submissions.

This Australian design institution now welcomes in a new era, as Corporate Culture joins Launch Pad as their Major Sponsor for the next three years. Corporate Culture have been longtime investors in local architects, designers and artists. Their Australian designers include Marc Newson, Lisa Vincitorio, Kate Stokes and many more – including Launch Pad 2005 finalist Ross Didier, and Launch Pad 2013 judge Adam Goodrum.

Reflecting on Launch Pad, Corporate Culture designer and Launch Pad 2013 judge Adam Goodrum says, “No other award offers such a thorough and rigorous mentoring programme to assist the winner to commercialise their design… There are very few platforms that nurture wonderful young Australian designers in such a practical, career-defining way.”

Launch Pad has always had the strong support of Australian companies who truly support local designers. Living Edge has been Launch Pad’s Founding Partner since 2005, Workshopped is Launch Pad’s Production Partner since 2013, and this year Australian Infront join Launch Pad as Media Partner.

Managing Director of Corporate Culture, Richard Munao, joins the judging panel this year, as well as Launch Pad 2005 finalist and Corporate Culture designer Ross Didier. Past Launch Pad mentors and judges have included Louise Olsen, Helen Kontouris, Brodie Neill, Brian Parkes, Aidan Mawhinney, and international figures including Tom Dixon, Nathan Yong and Harald Gründl.

The Launch Pad Finalist exhibition will be held in the Corporate Culture showroom in Melbourne CBD during Melbourne Indesign 2014. Corporate Culture host a VIP breakfast to open the exhibition on the Friday, and it will be open for viewing throughout Melbourne Indesign, Friday 22 August – Saturday 23 August, 10am-6pm. Entry is free, just make sure you register to attend Melbourne Indesign.

Corporate Culture
corporateculture.com.au

Launch Pad 2014
launch-pad.com.au

Melbourne Indesign
melbourneindesign.com.au

For more coverage of Melbourne Indesign 2014 visit: indesignlive.com/category/articles/in-review/mid-2014