The Big Design Market 2018

THE BIG DESIGN MARKET, Australia’s ultimate festive season shopping destination is back for 2018 – bigger, bolder, brighter, and on its way to Melbourne and Sydney.

Melbourne: 30 November–2 December 2018, Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton VIC
Sydney: 7–9 December 2018, Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park NSW

THE BIG DESIGN MARKET always delivers an exceptional line up of the most unique curated offerings of ethical and independent designer gifts in an inspiring shopping experience all under one roof. A fun day out for friends and families to shop, eat, drink and get involved in creative activities.

Director Simon Obarzanek comments on the unique approach of the events: “We love bringing creative products to new audiences and working with artists to create something special each year. The event provides a dynamic platform for independent design brands to launch their new product ranges to a discerning and responsive audience who look for excellent design, cutting-edge innovation and eco-conscious practices. When these powerful elements align, it’s a win for the designers, the makers, the shoppers and the earth.”

THE BIG DESIGN MARKET 2018 HIGHLIGHTS

Now in its seventh year in Melbourne and third in Sydney The Big Design Market presents a line up of over 350 designers and caters to over 70 000 shoppers across the two cities during the gift-giving season.

The 2018 stallholder line-up includes a carefully-curated assembly of the best local creative talent, with many new additions including jewellery designer Ada Hodgson, ceramicist James Lemon and indigenous social enterprise Bush Medijina, independent stationers Milligram. Homewares, fashion, beauty care products, furniture, stationery, tech items and kids’ products are just some of the designer goods that visitors to The Big Design Market can expect to discover.

The Big Design Market also welcomes visitors to indulge in delicious food and drink offerings, walk beneath an inspiring art installation by featuring the illustrations of Marc Martin, relax in the stylish calm of a cocktail bar, and treat the kids to a host of free activities in a dedicated ‘inner-city garden’ themed play area.

What to see and do at THE BIG DESIGN MARKET 2018

DESIGNERS

The Big Design Market consistently delivers diversity, and excitement to its visitors every year by featuring new talent alongside established independent brands. This year’s events will showcase the work of more than 200 independent design brands and makers in each event.

With a distinct theme of sustainability in this year’s line-up, The Big Design Market hosts brands that are making a difference with stylish reusable wares. From the likes of Beetbox, who designs lunch boxes and whose ethos of “…making it yourself is good for your health, the environment and your wallet” really strikes a chord, to Honeybee Wrap who finally forgo pointless cling wrap, long-time favourite Bridget Bodenham with her gorgeous ceramic travel cups and tableware, Simple Dimple’s practical and beautiful produce bags and more.

To continue with a positive attitude and everyday wellbeing, the line up also includes The School of Life (Sydney) with their fantastic range of publications, personal and professional material, Lekker bikes to get you moving, I Am That Yoga with their funky natural cork mats and whether or not you live in an inner city apartment or a block of land in the sprawling suburbs, Little Veggie Patch Co. will have you growing your own produce in no time.

There is also a selection of brands whose businesses directly support and nurture communities. Successful not-for-profit indigenous enterprise, Bush Medijina, who use the knowledge that has been passed down from their elders to harvest bush produce to make unique range of body products. The sales support their business, community and the Warnindilyakwa women who are making the products too. Indigenous social enterprise Magpie Goose creates sustainable jobs in the fashion industry for Indigenous people in remote Northern Territory communities. Park SSC and Collective Closet and are making a difference internationally helping disadvantaged kids and women.

Independent brands making a big impact with their innovative product designs include 2018 iF Design Award winners Orbitkey and recent Shark Tank contenders Subo, whose unique food bottles for kids were a bit hit. Shoppers will also discover bags made from recycled pineapples, swimwear made from recycled plastic bottles and the Revolving Kinetic Wine Glass by Emma Klaus that functions both as a drinking vessel and as a decanter that aerates the wine as it revolves.

Visitors shopping for kids should keep an eye out for Lekker bikes, Squared Charts, Beep Bicycle Bells, Halcyon Nights, Good Sport, Harry & Pop, Min Pin and Rainbeau.

Designer final line up:
sydney.thebigdesignmarket.com/designers
melbourne.thebigdesignmarket.com/designers

GUEST ARTIST

One of the distinctive qualities of The Big Design Market is an active support of the arts by inviting local, independent creatives to be part of the event itself. 

Following the wonderful work of guest artist Pete Cromer in 2017, this year the artwork of award-winning artist and author/illustrator of numerous children’s books Marc Martin will be the feature of an awe-inspiring installation. A gigantic flock of colourful birds will fill the Great Dome of the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne and will then fly on to Sydney where they’ll hover overhead amongst the stalls in the Royal Hall of Industries.

FREE KIDS ACTIVITIES

This year The Big Design Market presents a new take on their popular kids’ activities area that will feature a serene ‘city park’ oasis for kids and families. Kids can play and create all day amongst brightly painted park benches, green hedges and floral blooms.

FOOD AND DRINK

Shoppers love to eat and drink, which is why The Big Design Market invites everyone to enjoy delicious gourmet food offerings, craft beer, wine and coffee from local culinary masters:

Melbourne – This year in Melbourne, newcomers include The Everleigh with their stylish bottled cocktails and Sydney-based Archie Rose Distilling Co. who will be introducing Melbourne shoppers to their award-winning spirits. Q le Baker by Quentin Berthonneau comes on board with his authentic French pastries.

Mainstays Starward Whisky, Moo Brew and Merricks General Wine Store return with the best in craft beer, wine and whisky. St. Ali will be making coffee to perfection alongside long-time favourites Gelato Messina, Earl Canteen, 5 & Dime Bagels and All Day Donuts.

Sydney – Visitors can enjoy coffee and specialty teas by Welcome Dose Coffee and Rabbit Hole Organic Tea. There will be cocktails by Archie Rose Distilling Co along with Australian wines by Innocent Bystander and olives by Mount Zero. On the sweet side there’s gelato by Messina, donuts by Shortstop, and handmade chocolates and pastries by award-winning patissier Esti Garcia. For lunch and dinner there will be sashimi bowls by Fishbowl, Mary’s burgers and Smoking Gun bagels, all washed down with refreshing craft brews from Young Henrys.

Eat & Drink final line up:
sydney.thebigdesignmarket.com/activities/eat-drink

melbourne.thebigdesignmarket.com/activities/eat-drink 

DESIGNER SHOWBAGS AND PRIZES

The Big Design Market’s limited edition designer showbags have become highly sought after by shoppers over the past six years. The showbags are curated specifically to promote the quality and diversity of products on offer at the event and always sell out. This year’s showbags contain kids books from Berbay Books, nail polish from Kester Black, hand-made earrings by Erika Harder Jewellery, cute enamel pins from Danica Studio, body products from Leif and other tempting goodies from the likes of Dana Kinter, Olenka, The Study Collective, Write To Me, Red Parka, Made From Good Deeds, Hello Miss May and more!

The designer showbags are available for $20 ($100 value) in Sydney and $25 ($120 value) in Melbourne and there will be a limited number available to purchase at the event each day until sold out. In addition to designer showbags, THE BIG DESIGN MARKET offers over $1300 worth of prizes including a Lekker bike to be won by one lucky event visitor in each city.

Designer Showbags inclusions:
sydney.thebigdesignmarket.com/showbags
melbourne.thebigdesignmarket.com/showbags

EVENT DATES/TIMES

Melbourne
Friday 30 November 2018, 10am–9pm
Saturday 1 December 2018, 10am–7pm
Sunday 2 December 2018, 10am–5pm

Sydney
Friday 7 December 2018, 10am–8pm
Saturday 9 December 2018, 10am–7pm
Sunday 9 December 2018, 10am–5pm

ADMISSION

$2 for adults, free for kids 12 and under.

All payment options are accepted including eftpos and credit card facilities. There are multiple ATM machines located inside the Royal Exhibition Building and the Royal Hall of Industries.

VENUE

Melbourne
Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

Sydney
Royal Hall of Industries, Errol Flynn Blvd, Moore Park NSW 2021, Australia

ACCESSIBILITY

Disability Access
Both venues are wheelchair accessible. All exhibitors are located on the ground level.

Parents room
A dedicated private space will be available to carers of infants and children for feeding or quiet time.

Since launching in 2012, The Big Design Market has attracted a loyal following of shoppers who appreciate the high quality and diversity of goods on offer and are keen to support the small businesses that create them. The beloved and trusted events, scheduled in the weeks leading up to Christmas provide an uplifting and inspiring shopping experience – the chance for adults and kids to explore, play, and engage with an extensive array of original products, delectable foods, creative workshops and free activities, all under one roof.

The Big Design Market makes shopping for the festive season pure joy.