Australia’s longest running design competition, VIVID will return to Decor + Design this year at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre next month. VIVID is Melbourne’s premier design event that aims to discover the next generation of design talent.
VIVID or Vibrant Vision in Design will showcase the work of a record number of designers this year with a stellar line-up of over 90 finalists and 114 designs. Decor + Design will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 16 July to 19 July.
The standard of entries at VIVID continues to increase year after year, with the event providing a platform for new and emerging designers, and presenting an opportunity for the design industry to discover the talent of tomorrow.
Curator Caroline Caneva is excited to be working with award-winning interior designer, Anna Pogorelova. According to Caroline, this year’s exhibition will provide an even larger and more diverse showcase of cutting edge design and innovation than ever before. Finalists were selected based on designs that showed a high degree of thought in form, function and feasibility.
This year’s VIVID showcase exhibits a resurgence of items made with a unique handmade feel, blending craft with technology. Many of the designers have opted for an organic, earthy look and feel, with a strong focus on texture using matt finishes, timber, cork, concrete, ceramic, stone and powder coated metals. Colour choices are also more sober with designers using muted tones, smoky grey, bottle green and other pastels alongside tan and leather-inspired tones.
Some of the showcase highlights include Rhys Cooper’s Cusp Dining Chair, manufactured with the planet in mind, using traditional joinery techniques; Matty C Smith’s Desk range, which uses standard ‘off the shelf’ materials with a maximum price tag of $500; Peter Milligan’s Counterpoint Light, a task light produced with unconventional materials and form; Jaz Wood’s Jux Stool, inspired by the juxtaposition of materials; Loz Abberton’s Pod Noir, a functional light made of kangaroo leather; and Max Harper’s Corker Series of Pendant Lights, inspired by the iconic cork hat, playfully mocking the cultural iconography in modern design.
The talented finalists will compete to win one of four Awards of Excellence in Design, which will be presented on the opening day, 16 July 2015. Prizes are awarded across market-ready and prototype furniture design and lighting design categories.
VIVID has once again partnered with Beacon Lighting, and also received sponsorship from GlobeWest, Interior Design Review Magazine and Dowel Jones, who have assisted with the lucrative prize pool. Prizes include prize money and converted media exposure, industry feedback, networking with peers, connections to buyers and manufacturing and educational programs.
More information on VIVID and Decor + Design 2015 is available on www.decordesignshow.com.au.
