The 18th Vivid Design exhibition showcased an incredible lineup of work by local talent. Our ADA Award recipents Samual Burns and Zachary Hanna, joined award winners Dean Norton, Isaac Pelchen, Julia Quirk and Sandra Githinji, in a live event that celebrated a 2-year end to remote judging and presentations.
The 18th exhibition of one of Australia’s premier early-career product design platforms was held at Showroom by Bowens, with almost 200 guests attending the presentations.
The Authentic Design Alliance (ADA) Award of Merit went to two winners. Samuel Burns for his Arc Bench and Zachary Hanna for On Hold Wall Hook. On Hold is designed for use with adhesive tape, allowing it to be attached with no damage to the wall. The form of the hook is a sweeping steel sheet, creating a delicate shadow and casting light onto the timber insert, which conceals the adhesive tab or or screws. @zacharyhanna
Samuel Burns also received the FURNITURE DESIGN AWARD, also sponsored by Laminex, for Arc Bench. The basis of this project was to incite interaction through both tactile and social engagement. Arc Bench has integrated a sense of dynamism through the shifting forms, creating a dialogue and encouraging physical interactions. @sabi.studio
He also took the LIGHTING DESIGN AWARD, sponsored by Artichoke, for Onu Floor Light. This piece was recognised for bringing a sense of the natural world into interior spaces through form and symbolism; “a glimmer of light between the trees.” The intention of the light was not to dominate a space but to softly invite intrigue and interest from the occupants. @sabi.studio
Dean Norton was awarded the 2021 VIVID Judges Choice Award, sponsored by Laminex, for his exceptional entries, which included the FLOAT coffee tables. FLOAT explores transparent form with subtle overlay of texture, transforming simple tables into light shape-shifting pieces. Made entirely of glass, FLOAT’s seamless form changes depending on the viewing angle. @deannorton
Isaac Pelchen won the OBJECT DESIGN AWARD, sponsored by Showroom by Bowens, for Optic Candelabra. This beautiful object plays with light, bending it to create motion and intrigue within a static object. As the candle burns, the candelabra’s form harnesses the phenomena of refraction and puts it into motion. Optic Candelabra also received the 2021 COLOUR AWARD, sponsored by Dulux. The vibrant pigments symbolise the spectrum of colour visible during refraction. @isaacpelchen.studio
Julia Quirk won the CONCEPT DESIGN AWARD, sponsored by the Design Institute of Australia, with Poly Chair. Poly Chair’s design explores the reuse of excess stock fabric from upholstery processes. A double-curved shell is constructed through melting, forming and layering rolled polyester fabric, floating lightly above a frame. The soft nature of polyester textile contrasts with the hard, structural interior, displaying the narrative of the chair’s composition. @huqrk
Finally, the 2021 Houzz People’s Choice Award was awarded to Sandra Githinji for ‘Bloom Collection: Queen Nandi’. Bloom is a sculptural vase collection that preserves historical memory and pays tribute to phenomenal African female figures. The debut piece is of the historical “Queen Nandi” from South Africa, cast in a polyresin.
The Houzz People’s Choice Award is voted for by the Houzz community of interior designers, decorators, architects and housing industry professionals.
Go here to view all the 2021 VIVID Design Awards finalists, in what was an exceptional field. The next VIVID Design Awards will take place at Decor + Design, 14 – 17 July 2022. Register your interest to attend the event and stay up-to-date on VIVID, the International Seminar Series and exhibitors.
