ARE YOU AN EMERGING DESIGNER?

BY Tess Ritchie

February 4th, 2015

This year, Launch Pad celebrates 11 years of nurturing new Australian design talent. It all began in 2004 as an exhibition of prototypes by young, emerging designers, held as part of Saturday in Design (now Indesign: The Event). This took advantage of the high volume of industry visitors to Saturday in Design, providing the designers with: invaluable exposure, the opportunity to meet manufacturers and specifiers, gain vital feedback and connect with possible collaborators.

Since then, Launch Pad has developed into an annual competition, exhibition and mentorship program in its own right, propelled by the critical gap in the career path of Australian designers. Louise Olsen, former Launch Pad judge and Director/Founder of Dinosaur Designs explains: “One of the hardest parts of being a designer is being able to produce; finding the right manufacturer that is willing to support you and take the risk.” Launch Pad supports emerging designers at exactly this point, guiding shortlisted entrants to take their concept from prototype to production, a market reality often not covered by tertiary institutions.

Designer, Adam Goodrum, recalls his impressions as a Launch Pad judge: “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. It has been a pleasure to be involved in such a unique competition.”

Launch Pad attracts over 150 entrants yearly and has helped launch the careers of numerous Australian design greats, and is becoming entrenched as a yearly deadline that emerging designers utilise for producing new work. Its unique mentorship program has attracted the support and personal involvement of notable industry figures, local and international, as well as connecting finalists directly with an exceptional network of commercial suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, consumers and media.

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR LAUNCH PAD 2015?

Entries are now open for Launch Pad 2015! You could win a $10,000 grant to launch your career, exhibit your prototype during Sydney Indesign, seen by over 8,000 industry professionals, have your product featured  on our online platforms  and in DQ magazine, get valuable feedback and mentoring from national and international manufacturers, designers and retailers and build your design network.