With entries opening for Launch Pad 2010, ex-Launch Padder Nick Rennie offers advice to emerging designers.
February 2nd, 2010
The founder of Happy Finish Designs was singled out four years running by the judges at Launch Pad for his inspired product designs.
Since graduating in Industrial Design from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in 2001, Rennie has exhibited his designs – which encompass a broad range of products from jigsaw tablemats to handmade ceramics – worldwide to great media acclaim.
“It is part of my story”, says Rennie of the impact of the annual event on his career in design.
“With the limited number of competitions in Australia, I thought it was a fantastic opportunity to promote myself.
“I also loved the fact that the entries were anonymous to the judging panel. It gives the opportunity that for a first year student or a five-year professional to win.
“I had already established myself internationally as one of the new generation of Australian designers, but my focus had been on Japan and Europe. Launch Pad gave me the opportunity to expose myself to the Australian manufacturing industry.”
With wide exposure in the local media, the event allowed Rennie to meet some of the most influential designers and manufacturers in the world and push him to prototype some projects that had been on his mind.
One of his projects, which was originally displayed in Launch Pad 2005, was a design called ’Mori’ – a wooden and glass shelving system design as if wooden poles were intersecting the glass shelves.
“Two years later the Italian manufacturer Porro expressed interest in this project and it was redesigned and launched at the Milan furniture fair in 2008 under the new name ’Chiku’.”
The ’Chiku’ shelves are now available from Space Furniture nationwide.
A word of advice from the Launch Pad veteran? “Get it out there!”
“There is no point having something at home because you are too scared to show it. Send out emails, enter competitions and post it on blogs and send in to magazines.
“I’m currently gearing up for the Milan furniture fair. Getting projects ready to present to manufacturers I have built up relationships with over time. It’s still a lot of hard work and disappointments, but it does get easier as your skin grows thicker.”
Living Edge are proud sponsors of Launch Pad.
Nick Rennie
Happy Finish Design
happyfinishdesign.com
’Chiku’ shelves by Nick Rennie
Original ’Mori’ shelves, later redesigned and launched at Milan 2008 as ’Chiku’ (above)
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
The Sub-Zero Wolf showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne provide a creative experience unlike any other. Now showcasing all-new product ranges, the showrooms present a unique perspective on the future of kitchens, homes and lifestyles.
Create a configuration to suit your needs with this curved collection.
Marylou Cafaro’s first trendjournal sparked a powerful, decades-long movement in joinery designs and finishes which eventually saw Australian design develop its independence and characteristic style. Now, polytec offers all-new insights into the future of Australian design.
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s prestigious Kitchen Design Contest (KDC) has celebrated the very best in kitchen innovation and aesthetics for three decades now. Recognising premier kitchen design professionals from around the globe, the KDC facilitates innovation, style and functionality that pushes boundaries.
The World Architecture Festival Awards returns this year from 1 to 3 October at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands. Deadline for entries is 30 May 2014.
Imperial offers high quality, top value cooking equipment to the foodservice industry. With it’s robust exterior and superior quality, imperial cooking equipment leaves it’s competitors far behind in the race for excellence. Delivery time: Ex Stock Applications: Commercial and domestic kitchens Finish: Stainless Steel
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Artificial intelligence is one of the defining issues of our time. Here are five ideas articles addressing the anxieties and possibilities of the technology in design.
Available now across Australia, Eden TPO is setting new standards in terms of not just sustainability, but also style.