Highlighting the creativity behind the work of eight leading Australian-based agencies, the Rigg Design Prize 2022 (opening 7 October) has asked eight shortlisted agencies to develop a suite of campaign assets – including billboards, street posters and moving image – to celebrate how creativity can shape who we are and the world we live in.

The finalists invited by the NGV to compete for the $30,000 prize are: Clemenger BBDO Melbourne, DDB Group Melbourne, Frost* Collective, Gilimbaa, Leo Burnett Australia, TBWA\Melbourne, The Royals, and Thinkerbell.

As Ewan McEoin, senior curator, Contemporary Art, Design and Architecture, NGV, explains: “We have challenged some of the most creative minds in our country to convince Australians that creativity is something to be valued and embraced as a powerful force capable of influencing and shaping a better future.”

Working across graphic design, typography, digital media, film, psychology and creative writing, each agency will showcase how creativity influences our world (for accelerate positive social, cultural, economic or environmental change).

“We want them to highlight, clarify and amplify the extent to which creativity has the potential to shape who we are and the country we live in. We must elevate the value we place on creativity; it is a critical ingredient for a better, fairer and healthier tomorrow,” says McEoin.

Now in its ninth edition, the triennial Prize is Australia’s highest national accolade for contemporary design bestowed by an Australian public gallery and seeks to profile a different field of design practice every three years.

The Rigg Design Prize is a generous legacy of the late Colin Rigg (1895–1982), a former secretary of the NGV’s Felton Bequests’ Committee. Previously known as the Cicely and Colin Rigg Contemporary Design Award, the invitational prize was established in 1994 to recognise contemporary design practice in Victoria.

In 2015, for the first time in the award’s 20-year history, the Rigg included shortlisted designers from across the country. In previous years, the Prize has celebrated achievements in jewellery, furniture and interior design.

The Rigg Design Prize 2022 will be on display from 7 October 2022 to 29 January 2023 at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Fed Square, Melbourne.

NGV
ngv.vic.gov.au

Photography
Shannon McGrath