The best of Australia’s early career designers were recognised at the Vivid Awards at Décor and Design presentation on 17 July.

The awards program is Australia’s longest-running competition for emerging designers and has unearthed talents such as Adam Markowitz, Lab De Stu, Annie Paxton and Dean Norton.

“This year’s Vivid finalists have set a new benchmark focusing on social responsibility, adaptive reuse, and sustainable practices. Their designs reflect a thoughtful approach to longevity and sustainable materials. It’s inspiring to see such dedication to these themes from the next generation of Australia’s furniture, lighting, and object designers,” said Vivid curator Daniel Dalla Riva of Latitude Group, who curated the awards.

Judges Choice: Amy Vidler for Ripple and Mozzarella; Authentic Design Alliance ADA Award of Merit, Commendation; Lighting Design
Winner: Mozzarella by Amy Vidler; Lighting Design Commendations: Ripply by Amy Fidler

Amy Vidler received the Judge’s Choice Award for her two lamps, the sculptural Ripple wall light and the bulbous Mozzarella table lamp. The judges described them as sumptuous, engaging, and meticulously crafted.

“I love the language of Amy’s work – she has a fine eye for what makes a well-balanced, highly crafted object,” said Cassie Hansen, Vivid judge and editor of InteriorsAu. “I can see a bright future for this designer and can’t wait to see what else she produces.”

Authentic Design Alliance (ADA) Award Of Merit
 Winner: Jess Humpston for Ballast and A Table For One;
Furniture Design
 Winner: Ballast table by Jess Humpston

Winners were also named across categories of furniture, light, objects and concepts, as well as for the Colour Award and Authentic Design Alliance Award of Merit.

“The finalists’ designs this year share a sense of optimism, playfulness, and experimentation. Even the most conceptual pieces showcased an impressive level of design resolution and attention to detail, far exceeding expectations for early-career designers. These emerging talents are undoubtedly on a path to long and successful careers,” said Dalla Riva.

Presenting the Authentic Design Alliance ADA Award of Merit for the eighth year, an accolade awarded for a body of work or a process, was a tough call. Two creatives demonstrated excellence, each across two projects, with Melbourne-based Jess Humpston taking this year’s honours; Jess was also the recipient of the Furniture Design Award. The ADA Commendation went to Amy Vidler, the recipient of the Judges Award, for her lamps, both projects also dominated the lighting category.

Anne-Maree Sargeant (Authentic Design Alliance), Andrea Lucena-Orr (Dulux), Georgina Greenland (Design Institute of Australia), Annie Paxton (Annie Paxton Studio), Sean Oldfield (Laminex), Lucy Bishop (Redacted Podcast), Suzanne McNeice (Circa), and Filip Bjazevic (Latitude Group) joined Cassie Hansen (InteriorsAU) on the jury.

Each designer or design studio’s Instagram is linked in the captions below.


Colour Award: Six Sticks by Kaspian Kan; Lighting Design Commendation Six Sticks by Kaspian Kan


Concept Design Commendation: //SHIFT// by Kaspian Kan


Colour Design Commendation: Cheeky by Maryam Moghadam

Colour Design Commendation: Pixel Arches by Eamon Riley made from 15,000 Lego bricks

Furniture Design Commendation: ELLE by Dirk du Toit
, Dutoit Studio

Furniture Design Commendation: Casper by Marty Whittle

Lighting Design Commendations: ETER by Haoqi Hong
; Student Design Commendation: ETER by Haoqi Hong


Object Design Winner: Fjall Juicer by Fraser Greenfield & Oliver Alexander

Object Design Commendation: Sorbet by Sze Yek
 (Acoustic wall tiles made from upcycled fabric remnants; Student Design Commendation: Sorbet by Sze Yek

Object Design Commendation: Lotus Incense Holder by Mark Lilly
, Manner Furniture (Floor Standing)

Object Design Commendation: Dovetail Floor Vase by George Davies

Concept Design
 Winner: Helio Lamp by Grant Capriotti; Student Design 
Winner: Helio Lamp by Grant Capriotti
Concept Design Commendation: Wishing Box by Eliza Radford


Concept Design Commendation: Rope Lounger by Carl Broesen


Head to the Decor and Design website to see all the finalists’ work. Event photography Peter Clark.