Winners of VIVID 2015 were announced at a special awards ceremony at the Decor + Design exhibition in Melbourne. A leading design competition renowned for unearthing the next generation of design talent, VIVID recognises designers who show standout creativity in furniture and lighting design, with winners receiving an Award of Excellence in Design, prize money and media exposure.

Selected from over 90 finalists, this year’s VIVID award winners include Gabriella Audrey Aliwarga, RMIT University (VIC); Richard Greenacre, RMIT University (VIC); Peter Milligan, Central Institute of Technology (WA); and Alexandra Reid (NSW).

The judging panel for VIVID 2015 included Gregory Bonasera, Porcelain Bear; Diana Di Corleto, Beacon Lighting; Helen Kontouris, Helen Kontouris Design; Dale Hardiman & Adam Lynch, Dowel Jones; Jan Henderson, (Inside) Interior Design Review, Henderson Media and Architel.tv; Keti Lytras, GlobeWest; Victoria Redshaw, Scarlet Opus; Scott Robinson, Beacon Lighting; Kate St James FDIA, Universal Magazines; Danielle Trippett, Danielle Trippett Design; Duncan Ward, Satelight Design; and Felicity Watts, Framework Design.

VIVID’s bespoke exhibition at Decor + Design was curated by Caroline Caneva FDIA (hon), in conjunction with Studio Nace and Caneva Building. All the winners and finalists were showcased throughout the Decor + Design exhibition at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

VIVID 2015 Winners

GlobeWest Furniture Award of Excellence in Design

Gabriella Audrey Aliwarga, RMIT University (VIC) for the ‘Wine Stool’

stool.jpgA student of Industrial Design, Audrey has, throughout her study, continued to develop her skills and knowledge in furniture making. Passionate about furniture design, she wants to create furniture that is simple, compact and functional.

Audrey’s winning entry, Wine Stool, was inspired by the relationship between a cork and a wine bottle. Manufactured in Melbourne without fasteners, screws or glue, the stool uses reclaimed maple wood, powder coated steel and outdoor polish.


Dowel Jones Furniture Concept Award of Excellence in Design

Richard Greenacre, RMIT University (VIC) for the ‘Agave Credenza’

A Fremantle native, Richard moved to Melbourne in 2014 to hone his skills as a furniture and lighting designer. Stepping away from traditional timber veneers, Richard used the Agave plant's sculptural leaves as a reference point and constructed the credenza from solid European Beech, with a textural armoured facade of hand-cast acrylic tiles. The credenza uses FSC European Beech, gypsum and acrylic resin composite, and laminated FSC Radiata Pine with a natural oil finish.


Beacon Lighting Award of Excellence in Design

Peter Milligan, Central Institute of Technology (WA) for the ‘Counterpoint Light’

A product designer and ceramic artist, Peter follows an ideology firmly entrenched in social change and disruption of the status quo. His winning entry, the Counterpoint Light is a task light suitable for a desk in the home or office. Featuring a standard MR-16 LED bulb powered by 12-volt power supply, the light can be adjusted for angle, height and direction by simply moving the rod through the base. The design uses coloured laminates of Memphis, unglazed ceramic, carbon fibre and 3D printed plastic.


Beacon Lighting Concept Award of Excellence in Design

Alexandra Reid (NSW) for the ‘Reiding Pendant’

Having completed tertiary studies in Sculpture and Product Design at Sydney TAFE Design Centre Enmore, Alexandra has continued her passion for sophisticated, unique and practical design at her career at BSeated Global.

Simple and complex at the same time, the Reiding Pendant is rich in conflicting textures, with rounded curves contrasting with the tightly compressed pages and steel, and the classic shape and function juxtaposed against the unconventional material.