The Design Institute of Australia (DIA) has recently announced the nine esteemed Australian designer inductees as part of the DIA Hall of Fame. An annual high point in the design industry, the DIA Hall of Fame is a celebration of the remarkable work of the country’s creative professionals and their notable contribution to the development and evolving cultural identity of Australia.

Fashion designer Akira Isogawa will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

As the leading industry body of the nation’s professional design sector, the DIA represents the Australian design community both domestically and internationally. Continuously supporting the growth and success of professionals, the DIA strives for Australia’s reputation as a design nation to flourish. The Institution brings together an impressive group of experts in design thinking, creative problem solving and innovation to honour the diversity in a broad range of disciplines and talents throughout the nation. The Hall of Fame currently has more than 100 designers representing a range of major design fields across the industrial, graphic, interiors, fashion and textile, furniture and design education sectors.

A project by new Hall of Fame inductee Kirsten Stanisich.

In announcing this year’s inductees, Claire Beale FDIA, the National President of the DIA says: “We pride ourselves on acknowledging the diversity and contribution of Australian designers to global design, and the benefits that they have offered through their work to the broader community. The DIA Hall of Fame program is nominations based and peer assessed, so we encourage the industry to assist us in recognising and celebrating those unsung Australian design heroes.”

Kirsten Stanisich.

The recipient of the 2017 Designer of the Year Award for IDEA and the Belle Coco Republic Awards, Kirsten Stanisich FDIA is included in the list of the grand roster for the 2019 DIA Hall of Fame inductees. Architect and interior designer, Kirsten has made a significant contribution to the practice of interior design and interior architecture in NSW. Through her extensive resumé of leadership roles, creative participation and thoughtful practices, she has been notably recognised by the DIA as one of Australia’s most talented creative minds. Graduating from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Architecture Degree in 1994, Kirsten moved to Sydney and joined SJB Architects in 1996. With the company for 22 years, Kirsten excelled as an Associate and then a Director of SJB Interiors wherein 2018, along with Director Jonathan Richards, they made a decision to partner together migrating Sydney’s SJB Interiors into their own established new practice, Richard Stanisich. Kirsten’s interest in texture, lighting, colour and the exploration of longevity within an Australian context is prominently seen in her work throughout her career across the hospitality, retail and residential sectors. An active participant with the UNSW Built Environment Advisory Panel, and a jury member on several awards programs; Kirsten has significantly impacted the evolution of interiors within Sydney’s growing contemporary setting.

12-Micron by Kirsten, while she was at SJB Interiors, is inspired by Australian identity.

Industrial and product designer, the late Robert Foster also makes the list of the 2019 DIA Hall of Fame. Born in Kyneton, Victoria, Robert studied gold and silversmithing at the previously-known Canberra School of Art and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Visual) in 1985 and a Post Graduate Diploma of Arts a year later. Having established Fink & Co studio in 1993, Robert instantly became an important figure in the ACT and national design industry. Famous for his tableware, lighting and furniture design, Robert’s design ethos and creative philosophy were celebrated throughout the nation with his collections featuring nationally in the National Gallery of Australia and internationally including New York’s Museum of Modern Art, London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. Following his death in 2016, his contribution to the nation’s creative industry continues with two grants set up to honour his work including the annual Robert Foster Gold & Silversmithing Honours Scholarship and the Capital Arts Patron’s Organisation’s Robert Foster Memorial Award.

The famous jug designed by Robert Foster.

As highly celebrated names within the nation’s architectural circles, they are joined by other leading design innovators of Australia. Marking their remarkable portfolio of creative work, the 2019 DIA Hall of Fame Inductees also include:

• the late Dahl Collings, Graphic, exhibition and textile design,
• the late George Freedman, interior design,
• Nicholas Huxley, fashion design and design education,
• Akira Isogawa, fashion and textile design,
• the late Neville Marsh, interior design and interior decoration,
• Gavan Ranger FDIA, architecture and interior design, and
• Harry Stephens FDIA, architecture, interior architecture and design education.

The 2019 DIA Hall of Fame Committee is chaired by James Harper LFDIA with Joanne Cys LFDIA, Geoff Fitzpatrick LFDIA, Michael Bogle and Paul van Barneveld.

The formal welcome and induction into the prestigious DIA Hall of Fame will be held at the Powerhouse Theatrette at the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences at an exclusive event later this May.

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