SMART STATE DESIGNER OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED

Leading Brisbane interior designer Kirsti Simpson has tonight been named Queensland Government Smart State Designer of the Year.

Arts Minister Rod Welford, who made the announcement at the Gallery of Modern Art, said Ms Simpson was a deserving recipient who had made an outstanding contribution to the Queensland design industry.

“Ms Simpson is recognised nationally in the design industry as a leader and an innovator. She is a fine example of the expertise in the Queensland design sector,” Mr Welford said.

“Our Government introduced this award in 2006 to recognise our designers and to aid their professional development.

“It’s part of our commitment to supporting a sustainable, world-class design sector for Queensland.

“This award is hotly contested as it recognises a designer’s body of work, their leadership and their commitment to design excellence.”

Ms Simpson was presented with a $5000 travel bursary which she can use for overseas design research.

The inaugural winner of the award was Brisbane furniture designer Lasse Kinnunen who used his bursary to travel to the Milan Furniture Fair.

The Smart State Designer of the Year Award, presented by the Queensland Government and the Design Institute of Australia (Queensland), recognises individual design excellence on a project or range of projects.

Kirsti Simpson is Principal Interior Designer and managing principal at Hassell in Brisbane.

She was the first female partner at Hassell, and is also on the Board of the Brisbane Institute, Chair of Newstead House Board of Trustees and a former chair of Artworkers Alliance and board member of Southbank Corporation.

Design Institute Australia (Queensland) president Rob Geddes said Ms Simpson showed exemplary design team leadership, commitment and direction.

“She has shown how the best interior design can make a very real difference in the commercial heart of our cities and our thriving economy,” Mr Geddes said.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 3237 1000 or 0419 734 985