Since its inception 10 years ago, Launch Pad in Australia has grown to become an invaluable platform for promising talent looking to kickstart their careers. Not just an awards competition, the programme’s success lies in its mentorship programme that pairs emerging designers with industry mentors, who are highly respected names in the field.

In Australia, Launch Pad has already been responsible for helping to launch the careers of Charles Wilson, Nick Rennie, Ross Didier and many more, all of whom have found success not only locally, but on an international level.

Haikal Aziz (left) receiving his prize from Raj Nandan (right), CEO of Indesign Media Asia Pacific

The winners of the Singapore edition were announced at Singapore Indesign on 4 October. The first was Haikal Aziz, whose simply titled “Light” entry was inspired by a play of lightness and balance. With this project, the designer says he wanted to find a way to “use a material that was heavy, yet looked light”.

Light by Haikal Aziz

Ken Koo, Asia President of Red Dot Design Award and one of the judges, says,” It’s simple, elegant and poetic. The unobtrusive design easily fits and enhances a broad variety of environments. The design is also professionally executed and exudes quality.”

Jury member Alexi Robinson, founder of Hong Kong-based interior design firm Alexi Robinson Studio, adds, “The play of gravity is interesting as a tool for light manipulation.”

Nigel Geh and Gloria Ngiam receiving their prize from Raj Nandan (extreme left), CEO of Indesign Media Asia Pacific

The second win went to Nigel Geh and Gloria Ngiam for their “Spot” multipurpose light, which was inspired by the simplicity and functionality of industrial work lights. “With Spot, we retained the mobility of conventional torches and industrial work lights, as well as the dynamic rotational movement of theatrical stage lights,” says the team, adding that the object is designed to be used anywhere in the home.

Spot by Nigel Geh and Gloria Ngiam

Judge Wendy Chua, Designer and Director of design collective Outofstock says, “The idea is simple, the solution even more so. Although there are doubts as to how it is going to balance its weight in the desk lamp option, the execution of form and function does create a beautiful product that one can imagine using in one’s daily rituals, be it a bedside lamp or a bathroom light.”

Ken Koo adds, “The designer artfully translates a basic idea into an object of desire. The aesthetic appeals to your emotion and draws you to touch and use it. Every component is necessary and yet minimised, resulting in an appropriate presentation of the function, which is the illumination. The large diffused light source seems well capable of emitting good quality lighting.”

Aside from receiving a personalised industry mentorship, the winners will receive a cash prize of SGD$1,000 to put toward developing their prototypes, a three-year subscription to Cubes Indesign magazine, and media publicity.