Design Tasmania Awards 2019 winners

The Design Tasmania Awards were founded in 2006 to recognise and promote excellence in design and innovation. They aim to promote emerging, established and professional designers in Tasmania, both nationally and internationally.

The 2019 awards celebrate the richness of the design profession as well as the insight and perseverance of its practitioners.

This program is generously sponsored by Think Big, Moorilla, Foot and Playsted, DOT, Peppers Silo Hotel, Stillwater Restaurant, Moo Brew and Turner Stillhouse Gin.

The Design Tasmania Awards are also grateful to our organisation sponsors, funders, donors and supporters. Through multi-year major funding received from the Australia Council for the Arts, Arts Tasmania and The Ian Potter Foundation, backed up by our strong relationships and project grants from the Department of State Growth, and City of Launceston they are able to pursue an ambitious and exceptional artistic program.

The recipients of this year’s Design Tasmania Awards are recognised for the quality of their work and the pursuit of excellence in all that they do.

Jury

• GREGORY BONASERA | Porcelain Bear
• LUCY GIVEN | LUC Design
• TAMSIN O’NEILL | green magazine
• DAMIAN GENTILE | Denfair
• KAREN WEBSTER | LCI Melbourne
• EMILIE JOY | Art Director
• CLAIRE BEALE | Design Tasmania
• FIONA LEHMAN | Design Tasmania

WINNER | PREMIER’S AWARD
West Coast Campaign by For The People & West Coast Council

From the Jury–

The West Coast identity project was a clear winner for the Premier’s Design Award. A design project that successfully engages with and empowers community to drive their own narrative, co-designed with West Coast Council and 4000 community members. This is a brilliant example of Tasmanian design quietly pursuing (and achieving) the extraordinary.

WINNER | DESIGN FOR IMPACT AWARD
Ceramic Artificial Spawning Habitat for the Spotted Handfish
by Jane Bamford & CSIRO

From the Jury–

A uniquely Tasmanian story – highly deserving of the design for impact award, as it addresses a local issue, but provides the way for global application for collaboration. This project really starts the conversation about how we can combine craftsmanship and technology to save an endangered species.

WINNER | EMERGING DESIGNER AWARD
Graduate Portfolio by Kevin Hetebry for FOUNDRY

From the Jury–

Graduate portfolios can be challenging to assess, because of the different types of briefs developed throughout their studies, however Hetebry’s portfolio was consistently outstanding. This talented designer executed every project at top tier level, with an ability to design distinctively different campaigns for each client, whilst retaining a strong handwriting. We’re excited to see what the future holds for this emerging designer.

WINNER | RETAIL AWARD
Disc Bowl by Ridgeline Pottery

From the Jury–

You know you’re onto a winner when every jury member wanted to purchase this! A highly resolved, unpretentious and considered response to tableware design that allows food to just ‘pop’ in its presentation. Beautifully simple and functional, universally appealing and covetable, from a globally recognised, leading artisan studio.

WINNER | ACQUISITIVE AWARD
LOFT Lounge Chair by Van.Tuil

From the Jury–

Scott van Tuil’s practice has developed at an astounding pace, as an emerging designer he has consistently won major awards and important commissions for his work. The LOFT lounge chair has all the hallmarks of a design icon, and is a worthy addition to the Design Tasmania Wood Collection.

WINNER | JEWELLERY AWARD
Pearl Beetle by Samantha Dennis

From the Jury–

A beautiful, finely crafted piece that had every jury member lining up to order! Wonderfully marrying porcelain, baroque pearls and oxidised silver, the Pearl Beetle is a highly collectable and unique work.

WINNER | FASHION & TEXTILES AWARD
Bill’s Backpack by Ivi Made

From the Jury–

A strong entry in this new category for the Design Tasmania Awards. The design and execution of Bills Backpack has some innovative elements, such as the clever closing mechanism and attention to streamlining production time to achieve a cost effective product. Great use of kangaroo leather to ensure a long-lasting, sustainable product.

WINNER | FURNITURE DESIGN AWARD
LOFT Lounge Chair by Van.Tuil

From the Jury–

A beautiful sculptural chair that combines comfort and elegance expressed in high quality craftsmanship and good design. The silhouette is very grounded, and combined with the swivel base provides moments of delight and fluidity. There is huge commercial appeal and potential for this work, as it has already been part of significant commercial and domestic projects.

WINNER | OBJECT DESIGN AWARD
Subliminal Planter by Tim Haley

From the Jury–

A simple and elegant concept that uses a floating impression ensure an uninterrupted shadow line. The high fired porcelain used provides quality and functionality, demonstrating a skilled execution by the maker. As part of a new product range, the jury are excited to see how this series will evolve to include other profiles and glazes.

WINNER | VISUAL COMMUNICATION AWARD
West Coast Campaign by For The People & West Coast Council

From the Jury–

The Visual Communication category was a new addition in 2019, and the calibre of entries was outstanding. The West Coast identity project, co-designed with West Coast Council and more than 4000 community members captures the quirkiness of the unique location and the strength of its people. The beautifully executed brand package, with the focus on creating a toolkit of elements available for community was a standout for the jury.

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