Published Friday, 30 May, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
Smart State Designer of the Year 2008 finalists announced
Three outstanding Queensland designers have been identified as this year’s finalists for the Queensland Government Smart State Designer of the Year Award.
Arts Minister Rod Welford said jewellery designer Ari Athans, interior designer Revelyn Bryce-Browning and industrial designer Robert Geddes had been shortlisted for the prestigious $5000 prize, with the winner to be revealed on Friday 13 June.
Mr Welford announced the finalists on the eve of Queensland Design on Show 2008 which is at the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) from 31 May – 27 June.
“Our Government is committed to supporting a sustainable, world-class design sector and this prize is about recognising and rewarding the local designers who are at the forefront of this important industry,” Mr Welford said.
“The Smart State Designer of the Year Award has been presented since 2006 and acknowledges a career of design excellence. Previous winners are furniture designer Lasse Kinnunen and interior designer Kirsti Simpson.
“The $5000 prize takes the form of a travel bursary, which is to be used for professional development. Last year’s winner Kirsti Simpson travelled to the Milan Furniture Fair, the international focal point for new design and design trends.”
The Smart State Designer of the Year is selected by a panel of international, national and Queensland-based designers and design industry professionals.
This year’s Smart State Designer of the Year Award will be one of four major prizes announced at the Design Institute of Australia’s qdos Awards to be presented at the refurbished Schonell Theatre at St Lucia on Friday 13 June.
The qdos Awards recognise excellence in interior design, visual communication design and three dimensional design.
qdos Awards director Scott Bagnell said Queensland’s design, architecture and visual arts industry generated more than $600 million annually in economic output.
“The Smart State Designer of the Year and qdos Awards are the state’s premier design industry awards and are a highly sought after by our leading designers,” Mr Bagnell said.
Media contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000 or 0417 791 336
Arts Minister Rod Welford said jewellery designer Ari Athans, interior designer Revelyn Bryce-Browning and industrial designer Robert Geddes had been shortlisted for the prestigious $5000 prize, with the winner to be revealed on Friday 13 June.
Mr Welford announced the finalists on the eve of Queensland Design on Show 2008 which is at the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) from 31 May – 27 June.
“Our Government is committed to supporting a sustainable, world-class design sector and this prize is about recognising and rewarding the local designers who are at the forefront of this important industry,” Mr Welford said.
“The Smart State Designer of the Year Award has been presented since 2006 and acknowledges a career of design excellence. Previous winners are furniture designer Lasse Kinnunen and interior designer Kirsti Simpson.
“The $5000 prize takes the form of a travel bursary, which is to be used for professional development. Last year’s winner Kirsti Simpson travelled to the Milan Furniture Fair, the international focal point for new design and design trends.”
The Smart State Designer of the Year is selected by a panel of international, national and Queensland-based designers and design industry professionals.
This year’s Smart State Designer of the Year Award will be one of four major prizes announced at the Design Institute of Australia’s qdos Awards to be presented at the refurbished Schonell Theatre at St Lucia on Friday 13 June.
The qdos Awards recognise excellence in interior design, visual communication design and three dimensional design.
qdos Awards director Scott Bagnell said Queensland’s design, architecture and visual arts industry generated more than $600 million annually in economic output.
“The Smart State Designer of the Year and qdos Awards are the state’s premier design industry awards and are a highly sought after by our leading designers,” Mr Bagnell said.
Media contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000 or 0417 791 336