VIVID is a leading design competition renowned for unearthing the next generation of design talent. – Five awards were judged covering a range of furniture and lighting categories, including: Furniture, Furniture Concept, Lighting, Lighting Concept and for the first time, the Dulux Colour Award. The Winners received prize money and exposure to different aspects of the design industry.

VIVID 2016 featured over 50 finalists, with a the judging panel that included: Ross Didier, Didier; Emilia La Forgia, Artemide Lighting; Orest Hawryluk, James Richardson; Rachel Oakley, Dulux; Michelle Pataki Hyams, Schiavello Group; Jo Mawhinney, Living Edge; Bree Leech, Texture; Jan Henderson, Niche Media; Emma Telfer, Office For Good Design; Dana Tomic Hughes, Yellowtrace; Ann-Maree Sargeant, The Snap Collective; Pascale Gomez McNabb, Pascale Gomez McNabb; Filip Bjazevic, Latitude Group; Kirrilly Wilson, Regulating Lines Pty Ltd and Keti Lytras, GlobeWest.

Curated by Daniel Della Riva of Latitude Group, VIVID’s bespoke exhibition at Decor + Design pulses creative energy and talent. VIVID is the of the most exciting drawcards of Decor + Design.

The winners and all finalists have been showcased throughout Decor + Design from 21-24 July 2016 at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

Works of VIVID 2016 Winners – The next generation of design talent

Furniture Award presented by Partner: GlobeWest

Bryan Cush, Sawdust Bureau (VIC) – Pinch Noir

After 15 years studying and practicing Architecture, Bryan Cush established an industrial workshop in Melbourne’s inner-north as an ‘ideas testing lab’ for developing concepts of sculptural, architectural furniture. This informal ‘maker-lab’ eventually morphed into contemporary furniture brand, Sawdust Bureau.

Product Description: Design and construct a timber bench capable of seating up to 3 people. The piece is to be used as an entry hallway bench or coffee table and is to be designed around principles of concealing and displaying magazines.

Curator + Judges Comments: The judges described pinch noir as an incredibly striking and unique furniture design, which was well resolved and has great potential for multiple uses in residential, commercial and hospitality interiors.

Furniture Concept Award presented by Partner: Pen

Alexsandra Pontonio – Ondalé

Winner Bio: Alexsandra Pontonio completed the Associate Degree in Design (Furniture) in 2015. She is now based in a workshop in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. After a successful graduating year, Alexsandra was selected to exhibit in Craft Victoria’s ‘Fresh!’, where she was the recipient of the Future Leaders prize. Alexsandra was commended in the 2015 GOTYA Award furniture category. A new member of Melbourne Movement, Alexsandra recently exhibited overseas with the group at the 2016 Salone Del Mobile, Milan.

Product Description: Inspired by the modern classics, Ondalé is the result of a personal investigation into traditional joinery and cold pressed lamination. It is an example of the manipulability of wood, a rigid and mostly unforgiving material. Made from factory off-cut veneer, finished with plant based materials and natural wax.

Curator + Judges Comments: The judges were impressed with refined and beautifully detailed form of her design and the considered use of materials and fabrication technologies that challenged conventional thinking.

Lighting Award presented by Artimede Australia & VIVID Colour Award by Dulux presented by Dulux

Daniel Treacy, Rakumba Lighting (VIC) – Pylite

Winner Bio: Fuelled by a healthy dose of curiosity, Dan has tackled designs for wristwatches, helical escalators, environmental toilets, and even crocodile breeding tanks (he’s pretty sure he got the lid right). As Design Manager of Rakumba Lighting, he leads development of the in-house product range, and coordinates bespoke and collaborative designs.

Product Description: Inspired by opaque, interlocking crystals called Pyrite, the brief was to design a modular lighting element that can scale from small individual luminaires, to vast customised arrays for feature installations. The product had to incorporate energy efficiency and glare reduction ergonomics to merge the barrier between decorative and task lighting.

Curator + Judges Comments on Lighting: The judges were blown away by the versatility. Not only is it functional as a pendant light but it can also expand and adapt to its environment as an art piece, illuminated screen or wall sconce.

Curator + Judges Comments on Colour : The judging panel unanimously agreed that the integration of colour and form was the key to overall impact of this light. The colour choice added clarity to the form and enhanced the aesthetic.

Lighting Concept Award presented by Partner: Pen

Adam Markowitz, Markowitz Design (VIC) – Assegai Pendant

Winner Bio: Attending schools of design & fine craft in Australia, Denmark and the US, Adam Markowitz has developed a design philosophy that values the intimate connection between designing and making, and the new opportunities found at the intersection of modern digital processes and traditional methods of craftsmanship.

Product Description: The Assegai Pendant uses Markowitz’s fine furniture training to sculpt an exquisitely sleek timber pendant to provide task lighting for contemporary residential and commercial spaces. Fine brass details and subtly curving timber reflect a finely considered, minimal form that accents spaces without overwhelming.

Curator + Judges Comments The judges described as a stamp of originality for its craftsmanship, originality and detail.