No.

12
spark_Spring 2008

The Voice of Professional Design

Manifesting the dream

2008 DIA Student Design Award
winner cleans up in UK.

Leigh Ryan, Monash University graduate, and recent winner of

the Industrial Design category of the 2008 DIA Student Design
Awards, has achieved what many design students might think is
impossible. Leigh landed his ‘dream job’ in London straight after
graduation with one of the world’s highest profile design and
manufacturing companies, Dyson - maker of radically styled, high
performance vacuum cleaners.

Getting noticed
01 Leigh’s award-winning entry in the 2008 DIA Student Design
Awards, ‘Ravi’, brought him to the attention of the judges and the
industry, and won him a prize of a Wacom Tablet and Sketchbook
Pro from award sponsor Envizage.

In addition to highlighting Leigh’s obvious design talent, his award

win confirmed that his ‘think big’ approach and determination to
succeed were crucial in getting him noticed by those that matter
in the profession.

‘I had two goals in mind when developing my ‘Ravi’ design, and

entering the DIA Student Design Awards,’ said Leigh.

‘Firstly, I wanted to design something with real substance and

meaning behind it. My other focus was to showcase my skills as
a designer in just one piece of work - a kind of culmination of
everything that I am and everything I can do as a designer.

Aiming high
‘I set my targets pretty high as I wanted to make a working
prototype which firmly put me out of my comfort zone, but I knew
it was the perfect bridging step between tertiary projects and the
real world.’

Leigh wanted his ‘Ravi’ design to showcase a way to power small

electronics goods in a sustainable, cost effective manner. >

www.design.org.au
 ‘The power required to use these products is quite minimal,’
Spring_2008
explained Leigh. But when you take into consideration
how many users there are globally of these type of things
(mobile phones, iPods, etc), the figures are monstrous.
:to kindle,
excite or ‘Initially I looked a lot into kinetic-powered products, but to
encourage a sustainable lifestyle, I wanted to make it as non-
animate
invasive as possible, hence I ended up opting for solar power.

’When the time came to actually put pen to paper, I had a

really strong foundation to work from, and as the project
went on, this initial blueprint proved invaluable.’

Emotional connection
02
According to Leigh, he wanted ‘Ravi’ to make the
reduction of greenhouse emissions seem achievable for
the everyday person, by developing a product that the user
could connect with.

‘The technology in ‘Ravi’ is nothing new,’ said Leigh. You

The DIA started, like most professional
organisations, as a small group of people
with a common interest in the support and
promotion of their speciality. In 1947 design
as a professional specialisation was relatively
new and the number of practitioners was
small. A hands-on, personal organisation
managed and run by designers was
appropriate to the time.
For 40 years until 2007 the DIA used the
association management services of the
Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce
and Industry (VECCI) to ensure the day to
day running of the professional body. In its
early years, and even up to the mid 1980s,
it was quite feasible and necessary for
the volunteer directors of the DIA and the
National President to involve themselves in
hands-on management and promotion of
the organisation. But since then there has
been significant change.
Computerisation brought about both a
change in pace of business and heightened
expectations of business performance and
presentation. Social and economic changes
progressively affected the time that people
had for volunteer activities. Communication
changes (including the internet) brought
about overwhelming changes in business
models and competition.
In the last 30 years design has matured
as a professional occupation and is firmly
underpinned by a sizeable tertiary education
system. The number of practitioners in the
community is now substantial and still
growing strongly. The work of the DIA is both
greater and considerably more complex.
My time as president has been spent
preparing the DIA for this new business
environment, culminating in the
establishment of an independent office
with increased and dedicated staffing. The
intent is to relieve State Branch appointed
Directors and the National President from
the majority of national administrative and
marketing concerns and leave them free to
concentrate on issues of importance to the
profession.
Joanne Cys brings a strong interest in
professional issues to the presidency that
will serve the direction and development
of the DIA well. I’ve been honoured to be
trusted with the stewardship of the DIA for
the last eight years, and I trust I leave the
voice of professional design in Australia in a
stronger position than when I started.
could achieve the same result with a square solar panel on
a stick, but the beauty of ‘Ravi’ is that it is a product you
want to engage with.
‘It has an emotional connection with the user, even purely
as a concept.’
Leigh said that an emphasis on ‘getting the message
across quickly and clearly’ is the best advice he could give
to achieving success in competitions like the DIA Student
Design Awards.
‘The submission requirements are for only two panels,
so to sum up eight months of detailed work in a quick
snapshot is pretty challenging!’ he said.
‘I know that my entire project was far more impressive
than what was allowed to be submitted, so I feel very
fortunate that I was able to impress the judges with the
small amount of information they and I had to work with.’
Thinking ahead
But while Leigh’s win in the DIA Student Design Awards
undoubtedly boosted his confidence and ‘real world’
design skills, he was already developing the qualities
necessary to achieve success as a designer from quite early
in his studies.
‘I was friends with a lot of guys that graduated in 2006,’
explained Leigh, ‘and I learnt a lot from seeing how they
went about getting jobs once they graduated.
‘Apart from the guys that were in the automotive stream
and were pretty set in their desired career paths, most
of the other graduates were left on the wayside with no
direction or anything to go for.
‘The most talented of them all (in my opinion), was one of
the very last to get a job.
‘That’s when I decided that I absolutely needed a firm goal
to work towards if I wanted to get a decent design job.’
Clear goal setting
‘So I thought, “If I could have any job in the world, what
would it be”?
‘My answer was Dyson, as I’ve always been a fan not only
of their design and innovation, but more importantly their
philosophy and how they value innovation.
‘Before I’d even decided on what my final year project
would be, I knew whatever I did I wanted to make a
working prototype, as I felt it was a necessary step to
bridge between my current skill set and where I wanted
to be in the professional world – and because I thought it
would impress Dyson!
‘Luckily for me, it did!’
Armed with his ‘Ravi’ design and prototype, Leigh
contacted Dyson in middle 2007, and explained who he
was, what he did, and why he wanted to work for them.
To his surprise and delight, Dyson contacted Leigh a few
weeks later and asked him to send them more examples of
his work.
03
Impressive results
‘I put together a small folio of five to six pieces and posted
it to them,’ recalled Leigh. In early August they phoned
me from London, and I had an interview with two Dyson
design managers for an hour and a half.
‘The interview was pretty intense, and they even threw
in trick questions to see how I thought on the spot, like:
“Why is a manhole round?”.
‘At the end of the interview they said I had done really
well, and to contact them in November with my results
when I graduated, so they could make me an offer!
‘I was pretty blown away by this stage, but still tried to
keep a level head about it as I didn’t have the job just yet.’
As Dyson was the only job Leigh had applied for so far, he
decided to prepare ‘just in case’ it fell through, and began
to setup a website for his folio.
Who dares, wins
‘The week I finished Uni I contacted Dyson with my results,’
he said. ‘I thought it would be quite a drawn-out process,
with another couple of interviews at least, but they replied
almost immediately, offering me a job as a Graduate Design
Engineer, and wanting me to start in January!
‘I couldn’t believe my first job out of Uni was my dream
job, and that I got it from only one phone interview!
‘I think it was absolutely vital to my success in having a
clear plan and goal to work towards - and I never did get
the time to finish my website portfolio.’
So what’s life like for a new Graduate Design Engineer
at Dyson?
Leigh says that a typical week at Dyson is incredibly varied.
Steep learning curve
‘That’s one of the things I like best about my job,’ he says
enthusiastically. ‘I could be doing anything from building
rigs and prototypes in the workshop, to delving deep into
cost calculations on Excel, concept brainstorming sessions,
detailed design on CAD, testing on the user course, or card
modeling. Sometimes all in the same day!
‘The culture at Dyson and in Research Design and
Development (RDD) specifically is very competitive, but in a
really good way.
‘Everyone really pushes each other to develop things better,
and always questions why something is done a certain way
and how it could be done better.

‘Everyone is very open to what others are working on, and

when developing rigs and prototypes, people will always
stop to have a play and really take the time to understand
what you are doing and bounce off ideas and advice.

David Robertson LFDIA Accredited Designer

DIA National President

www.design.org.au
 3

Inspirational workplace

spark_Spring 2008
‘I work in Malmesbury, a quiet country town in South West
England, approximately two hour’s drive form London.

‘Dyson has over one thousand employees working on-

site, and where I work in RDD there are over four hundred
people in my department alone.

‘Working at Dyson is an amazing, inspiring place to be and

I’m learning every single day. I’m on a team of nine people,
and we are working on what will be part of the 2010
range of DYSON cleaners.’ 


Leigh’s girlfriend has moved to the UK with him, and they

have a loose plan of maybe returning to Australia in three
to five years, ‘depending on how things go.’

Tips for success

For other students and aspiring designers who would like to
emulate Leigh’s stellar career path thus far, Leigh believes it
is critical to set definite goals and believe in yourself.

‘You must plan and set goals, even if they seem ridiculously
high, and believe in yourself and your ideas,’ said Leigh.

‘Too many times at Uni, I would see people change their

concept or idea just to please a lecturer.

‘By all means take their advice and criticism - that’s what
they are there for - but people can become lost in what
they are doing when trying to please others all the time,
and lose sight of the bigger picture.

Staying focused
04 ‘I can’t stress enough the importance of thorough planning
and working towards a goal.

‘It proved invaluable for me. As cheesy as it sounds, when

I knew I wanted to work towards getting a job at Dyson, I
printed a picture of a Dyson DC11 and stuck it on my wall
so that every day I would look at it and think, “Someday
01-03_’Ravi’, a portable solar generator for small electronic appliances. I’m going to design one of those!”
04_Leigh Ryan and his award-winning ‘Ravi’ prototype.
05
05_The ‘Ravi’ is ideal for recharging devices like iPods. ‘And here I am!’ SPARK

DIA elects new

National President
‘For many years I have said A new approach
publicly that it is not appropriate
for a design academic to take the I see my contribution not only as DIA National President,
role of DIA National President. but as providing a period of transition within the history of
the DIA.
As the DIA is the organisation that
represents designers, the president I can’t replicate David’s mode of operation, and quite
should ideally be a practitioner. frankly, I don’t want to. This will be an important aspect of
my term as president.
Obviously I have changed my
mind, and it might be useful for I am hopeful that my presidency will allow other DIA
me to explain the reason for this. members to see that all sorts of designers can effectively
take on the role - even interior designers who have turned
their careers to academia.
Hard act to follow
David Robertson was DIA President for eight years from I am particularly hopeful that when my term ends in 2010,
November 2000 to November 2008. there will be one or more prominent DIA members ready to
take over.
During this time he consolidated and strategised all
aspects of DIA operations - big shoes to fill! Looking outwards
As each year of his presidency went by, the shoes got But enough of my desires.
bigger. There was a distinct feeling within National Council
that David’s enormous commitment and successful What are the aspirations and priorities for the DIA that can
be addressed over the next two years?
achievements for the DIA were inimitable.
How could any successor ever hope to measure up? Before I continue, it is necessary to acknowledge that it
is only because my predecessor’s term concluded with
Who else could possibly dedicate the same amount of the DIA in such a strong position that future strategic
time and methodically set and tick-off tasks at such an directions can be considered.
astonishing rate?
It will benefit all designers and Australia’s design sector
On reflection I think it is because this situation arose that I generally if the DIA exercised its voice beyond its own
accepted the nomination to become President Elect in 2007. membership.
We need to make a concerted effort to speak out regularly
in public and government forums locally, nationally and
internationally, not only on issues of design, but also on
areas that design expertise can contribute to.
International engagement
An increased, coordinated and deliberate DIA presence in
international forums will be a strategic move and would
establish the Australian design sector as being engaged
and relevant nationally and internationally.
Another initiative that Australian design can only benefit
from is collaboration between the various professional
bodies that represent designers. I use the term ‘designers’
broadly here to include architects.
The time for the DIA to talk to the AIA is long overdue,
as is the time for the DIA to recommence conversations
with AGDA.
Coming from a state that has one of the smallest
design sectors, I am a committed champion of design
collaboration both in practice and professional advocacy.
I have witnessed the results that cooperation and common
purpose can achieve when professional organisations
work together.
Expanding membership base
Finally, the DIA should begin to champion and service
employed designers - the often unseen and unacknowledged
practitioners who work for others - within manufacturing
companies, government departments, architectural practices
and other organisations.
The DIA’s strategy here is to provide services and benefits
for both design employees and of course its traditional
jurisdiction of design employers.
That’s four things in two years.
David Robertson’s presidency achieved hundreds of
things in eight years. Someone else should be able to
give it a go!’ SPARK

www.design.org.au
 4
spark_Spring 2008

Student Portfolio Design Workshop

Standing out from the crowd

Luxury venue Personal feedback

Previous workshops have been held in classrooms and
lecture halls at UTS and at Ultimo TAFE, but this year
workshop participants enjoyed the hospitality and luxurious
surroundings of a furniture showroom kindly made
available by Corporate Culture.
An afternoon session then provided individual feedback
from senior designers for students brave enough to bring
in their own portfolios for comment!
‘This was a highly successful part of the event,’ said Linda.

Speakers included Leanne Crofts, a textile designer
working for Morris Yarns, and a past GOTYA winner; Scott
Rosen, an industrial designer from Ideal Industrial; Petrina
Kernchen, an interior designer working at Geyer; and
Serhat Ferat, a graphic designer from Frost Design, and
past GOTYA winner.
Each speaker offered a unique view on portfolio preparation
and the job search and interview process, using their own
portfolios, plus tips and practical experiences that had got
01
them all design jobs within the last five years.
Every year the NSW DIA student council (DIAS) runs
a portfolio design workshop - their biggest and best
attended event of the year.
Real world advice
Designed to help students prepare the best possible
portfolios, with advice from ‘real’ DIA designers and
employers, the workshop has gone from strength to
strength - and will now be a permanent inclusion in the
Sydney Design Festival calendar.
‘Three interior designers, one industrial, one furniture and
three graphic designers each spent a full hour and a half
speaking to students about their portfolios.
‘This is a major contribution to the success of this event,
and DIAS and our student audience greatly appreciated the
participation of senior designers who come along to help out.
A lasting impression
‘Students received showbags containing design magazines,
specially printed t-shirts, product samples, and a booklet
containing leading DIA designers’ survey responses on the
topic of portfolios, job hunting and the interview process.
‘Feedback from the audience was almost universally
positive, and I think we can say that the day was a
resounding success.
‘What will you be doing next year?’
DIAS gratefully thanks Corporate Culture, and the following
individuals:

Linda Gehard, former DIAS Coordinator, and driving force Portfolio reviewers:
behind the portfolio workshop, said that this year’s event Louise Pratt, interior designer, geyer
reflected the quality and standards appropriate to its new Greg Pierce, interior designer, geyer
participation in the Sydney Design Festival. Toni Ford, interior designer
02
Louise Eastwood, graphic designer
Outstanding event Mike Hart, graphic designer, Landor
John Johnston, freelance art director, interactive design
‘Councillors went above and beyond previous efforts to
put on a top notch event,’ enthused Linda. Oliver Kratzer, industrial designer
Geoff Fitzpatrick, furniture designer, DIA National Strategy Director
‘Ideas and concepts were taken from sources such as trade
shows and industry conferences, with sixty-six attendees DIAS Councillors:
joining us for an afternoon of serious discussion about Alice Haworth, Workshop Organiser
portfolios and the interview process. Linda Gehard, former DIAS Coordinator
Toni Ford, DIAS Coordinator
‘There was a fantastic energy about the day, with Jessica Leckie, Forums Organiser
audience members fully engaged in the process and keen 03 04 Anastasia Bickley, PR Coordinator
to participate in discussions with presenters and fellow Philippa Wilkinson
attendees,’ explained Linda. David Denne
Louise Eastwood
‘Interaction between audience members and speakers Oliver Kratzer
was easy and informal, with questions freely asked and Geoff Fitzpatrick
discussed as much as time constraints would allow.’
01_Students listen attentively to industrial designer Scott Rosen.
02_Petrina Kernchen from Geyer discusses portfolios.
03_Textile designer Leanne Croft spins a yarn.
04_Interior designer Greg Pierce evaluates portfolio contents.
05_Jessica Leckie and Alice Haworth - DIAS Councillors.
05 06 06_Toni Ford displays T-shirts kindly printed by Signature Prints.

The Voice of Professional Design

‘I enjoy being associated with the DIA as I am

continually in the loop with information on
industry events.

Why I’m in the DIA ‘The emails that come through are an easy way for
me to keep up with the latest information without
www.design.org.au Tania Wright having to chase it.
DIA Graduate member
‘Even though I am a one-person operation, there
Interior Decorator and Designer
are others out there just like me in the same
Green Room Interiors, Melbourne industry, who I meet at different events.’

www.design.org.au
 5

spark_Spring 2008
Architects build foundations on
social responsibility
Well known Brisbane-based architectural practice, Thomson Adsett Architects,
has a reputation for its work on social and community projects.

Founded thirty-seven years ago partly on that premise, the

practice has continued its social focus, often serving clients
on modest budgets to make their dreams come true.

Making a difference
Practice co-founders Ian Thomson and Rob Adsett
worked as architects by night and as volunteers by day
for charity Teen Challenge, helping to give troubled
young people a second chance at life.

Matthew Hutchinson, the principal who heads the Social

and Community discipline within Thomson Adsett,
has developed a passion for serving clients who might
otherwise find themselves lost in the cut and thrust of
the commercial jungle.

A passion for design

When Matthew was handed a brief from Brisbane
City Church, he knew the client wanted to create a
contemporary, welcoming, and relevant inner-city church.

‘The rectilinear form of the existing building provided

excellent bones for a contemporary civic exterior,’
said Matthew.

‘The result is an 1100-seat auditorium, new youth areas,

ample parking, and an outer appearance that reflects the
lively and welcoming nature of the Church’s community.

Continuing commitment
01
Current projects underway or recently completed from
Thomson Adsett’s Social and Community discipline include
a rehabilitation facility for Teen Challenge, and a special
palliative care hospice at Townsville for Cancer Council
Queensland with research, administration and
education facilities.

In addition, Thomson Adsett has partnered with Brisbane

State High School to upgrade their technical classes with a
donation of $10,000 towards Autodesk Revit software.

Continuing, inspirational design work has also resulted in

Thomson Adsett being the only architectural firm to make
the finals of this year’s Telstra Business Awards, winning
the Social Responsibility award category. SPARK

03

02

Thomson Adsett’s design for the Brisbane City Church, featuring:

01_reception
02_cafeteria
03_entrance (detail)
04_main exterior view.

04

www.design.org.au
 6
spark_Spring 2008

WA Design Awards 2008

Western Australia’s leading design practitioners and aspiring
design students have been recognised with fifteen awards at
a spectacular DIA WA Design Awards held on Friday
September 5, 2008.

Living the high life

Taking out the top prize - the Laminex Award for
Design Excellence - was Brooking Design Practice with
their contemporary transformation of a West End
Fremantle loft.

The coveted award has a prize of a $5,000 travelling

scholarship, and was judged by a panel of design
professionals.

Fiona Murphy, Event Manager for the WA Design

Awards, said that the judges were impressed with
Brooking Design’s ‘clean juxtaposition between the
original structure and the insertion of new contemporary
internal spaces’.

01 03

Laminex Award for Design Excellence

Brooking Design Practice, West End Fremantle Loft

Interior Spaces
Residential
Award of Merit - Brooking Design Practice, West-End
Fremantle Loft

Hospitality & Retail

04
Multiple awards
‘This brought Brooking Design Practice’s award tally to
four for the evening,’ said Fiona.
‘They also received an Award of Merit for their
dramatic fitout at Live’s Headquarters in Subiaco,
and a Commendation for their Bohemian-inspired Mad
Monk Brewery.’
Other deserving Award of Merit winners included
Marshall Kusinski Design Consultants for their decadent
Champagne Lounge interior, and Luminosity for their
visually rich BaoBag brand identity.
Rewarding excellence
Now in its sixth year, the awards program is an initiative
of the Western Australian Chapter of the DIA, and is the
State’s only multi-disciplinary design program promoting
and recognising excellence and innovation in design.
All entrants in the awards had their work publicly
acknowledged during a week-long exhibition in the QV1
Foyer at St George’s Terrace, Perth.
Award of Merit - Marshall Kusinski Design Consultants,
Champagne Lounge 05
Commendation - Brooking Design, Mad Monk Brewery
Commendation - Roxby Architects, Mount Hospital Pharmacy
Student Award of Encouragement - Baille Liddle of Edith
Cowan University, Future Eden by Sony
Corporate
Award of Merit - Brooking Design, Live Headquarters
Commendation - Habitat 1, Horizon Power
Commendation - Woodhead, Perth International Airport
Office Fitout
Public
Commendation - Woodhead, Edith Cowan University
Lecture Theatre
Product Design 07
Industrial design
Commendation - David Smith Studio, Webb & Brown
Neaves Signage
01_Mount Hospital Pharmacy by Roxby Architects.
02_West-End Fremantle Loft by Brooking Design Practice.
Furniture Design
03_Team at Brooking Design Practice.
Student Award of Encouragement - Jessica Dodd of Edith
04_Live Headquarters by Brooking Design Practice.
Cowan University, The Guggy Chair
Student Award of Encouragement - Nathan Port of Curtin 05_Champagne Lounge by Marshall Kusinski Design Consultants.
University, Fossil Furniture 06_Horizon Power by Habitat 1.
07_Edith Cowan University Lecture Theatre by Woodhead.
Visual Communication 08_BaoBag Brand Identity by Luminosity.

Congratulations to all award winners as follows: Corporate Identity

Award of Merit - Luminosity, BaoBag Brand Identity

Digital Media
Commendation - 3D Millipede, St Mary’s Cathedral SPARK

www.design.org.au
 7

spark_Spring 2008
Putting a Buzz into
Ella Baché
Buzz creative products agency, a Melbourne-based DIA
Practice Member, has won a Cosmetic and Health Care award
in the 2008 Australian Packaging Awards.

The agency won the award for its design work on a striking
Christmas ‘pod’ case for Ella Baché skincare products, which
highlights the feel and colours of the Australian summer and
beach culture.
Appealing freshness
Doug Buckle, Buzz Creative Director, said that the award-
winning pod was designed to reinforce the youthful
freshness of the Ella Baché brand.
‘We wanted to present the skincare range in a way that not
only attracted attention, but gave the consumer a reusable
gift,’ explained Doug.
‘The pod is simple, elegant, and appealing to the Ella Baché
target market.
Memorable design
With a creative team including graphic designers, 3D
modellers, copywriters and content developers, Buzz uses
innovative design as a key component in developing targeted,
memorable, custom-built products for its wide-ranging
client base.
Its knowledge and interest in maximising sustainable packaging
design and manufacture was also incorporated into the Ella
Baché pod.
‘In addition to being a brand reminder, the pod also serves
as a permanent gift, with the life of the otherwise disposable
packaging significantly extended,’ said Doug.
Congratulations to Buzz for its success in the awards. SPARK

‘It has a great tactile feel, with the neoprene look and
surface finish warm and welcoming to the touch.

‘The “go anywhere” feel of the pod makes it ideal for the
beach or bathroom, and the use of a transparent vac tray
inside the pod appears to suspend the skincare products in
mid air, adding to the overall lightness and appeal.’

02

06
01

02

01_02_Ella Baché delivers skincare products

with a beach culture feel in a ‘pod’ case
designed by Buzz creative products agency.

08

www.design.org.au
 8
spark_Spring 2008

Vic DIA holds Top 8x8

On 23rd July, the Victorian branch of the DIA held its ‘Top
8x8’ event as part of the Victorian State of Design Festival.

01 The Top 8x8 was the third in the DIA’s highly popular and
inspirational Top 10x10 series, and was held at the Thonet
showroom in Fitzroy, attracting an audience of some
250 practising designers and those associated with the
commercial interior design industry.
Attendees of particular note included Paul Hecker of Hecker,
Phelan and Guthrie, Michael Bialek of SJB, and Steven
Cornwell of Cornwell Design.
The organiser and MC of the event was James Harper,
who coordinates the DIA’s Victorian Commercial Interior
Practice Group.
02
Each of the eight speakers listed below was asked to present
the top eight Influences or inspirations in their professional
career, using words, images, music and video.
Ryan Russell was the winner of the Best Emerging Practice
in the 2007 Interior Design Awards. His store design for
fashion retailer Left won several awards and he works across
the fields of Architecture, Graphic, Interior, Industrial and
Set Design. He presented his eight influences with simplicity
and purity using words alone: ‘light, burn, humans, twists,
corners, anger, grief, silence,’ and elaborated with well
chosen narrative and insight.
Caroline Ryan runs Brand Experience company 2Fish,
and her work includes the Melbourne Cup Marquees
for Emirates. Her influences and inspirations included
‘ignorance’, resulting in an early project for Tooheys,
‘emotion’, as demonstrated by Tadao Ando’s Church of
Light, ‘brands’, such as her client Red Bull, ‘the world
around you’, ‘letting go’, ‘tomorrow’, ‘limitations’ (and
overcoming them) and ‘deadlines’.
John Wardle is one of Australia’s most respected architects,
and his work such as the recently completed Nigel Peck
Centre at Melbourne Grammar School has been highly
awarded. His entertaining presentation covered a wide
range of influences and inspirations, ranging from romantic
recollections from his youth through mentors, iconic cars,
international architects, and holidays at his property on
Bruny Island in Tasmania.
Peter Geyer is the founder of Geyer Design, and his broad
interests of music, film, art, sport, fashion and architecture
were mined in his presentation. Under each heading, Peter
cited several examples that had influenced his career and
personality. As well as known design practitioners, Peter
included such obscure references as Fellini’s ‘Roma’, artists
Jannis Kounellis and Olafur Eliasson, and fashion designer
Martin Margiela. His final inspiration was his wife Sandy Geyer.

04
01_Part of the captivated audience at Top 8x8.
02_Milena Starikov and Sharon Louey-Sheldrick from Bates Smart.
03_Peter Geyer and Robert Owen.
04_Hayley Sands and Olivia Hrouda from Smith+Tracey.
05_Hayden Martis, Anna Skermer and Alicia Harrison from
Shareen Joel Design.
03
Yeojin Bae, one of Melbourne’s hottest young fashion
designers with an international following, took a very
personal approach to her presentation. She cited the
influence of her grandparents and parents, as well as her
education and training in Korea, time working in New York
with Marc Jacobs and others, and more esoteric inspiration
from everyday objects and imagination. The supporting
images were selected with the same meticulous attention to
detail as her collections.
Nik Karalis is the Global Design Director of Woods Bagot
and one of the most influential designers working in the
industry. His migration to Australia in the 1960’s and the
05 Australian landscape were his early influences, followed by
the inspiration of working with Sue Carr and realising some
of his early projects including the iconic St Andrews Beach
House. He has continued to be influenced by architects
including Paul Rudolf, Rem Koolhaas and Walter Burley
Griffin, along with sculptor Tony Smith, graphic designer
Steven Cornwell, and colleague Ross Donaldson.
Richard Henderson is a graphic designer and principal
of R-Co. He works extensively in the corporate sector for
a wide range of sporting bodies, hospitality clients, and
others. Richard presented several quotes that have inspired
his career and touched on some of his more emotional and
personal influences. The eight words that summarised his
influences were ‘learning, work, precision, people, love,
landscape, word and potential.’
Robert Owen is one of Australia’s most respected painters
and sculptors, and has collaborated on major projects with
several architecture, landscape and development companies.
His presentation of influences and inspiration from an
extraordinary career held the audience spellbound. He touched
on his early training in Sydney in the 1950’s, life on the Greek
Island of Hydra in the 1960’s, other artists and art movements,
his family, and even the influence of weather patterns.
Top 8x8 was sponsored by Thonet, Woven Image, and R-Co,
and presented by the Design Institute of Australia as part of
the Victorian State of Design Festival. SPARK

Designed in China
We are all familiar with the term ‘Made in China’ - perhaps too familiar - but what does the term
‘Designed in China’ mean to us?

A new view In addition to the international speakers, a panel of

This is a very different concept, and the more cynical
among us would suggest that it is perhaps an oxymoron.
This is obviously not the case, according to Geoff
Fitzpatrick, DIA Director – National Strategy, who attended
the excellent presentations made by two leading Chinese
designers during their recent visits to Melbourne.
‘Patrick Leung, CEO of PAL Design Hong Kong, and Curtis
Kung, Principal of Aura Design Taipei, Taiwan, were invited
to Melbourne by the DIA to speak at the International
Speakers Forum of the Melbourne International Design
Festival, produced by the National Design Centre in July
this year,’ explained Geoff.
Innovative approach
‘Patrick and Curtis presented their significant portfolios
of Interior Design and Architectural projects in many of
the major cities in China and Taiwan, and the audience
were impressed with the quality and innovation shown
in the works.
Australian designers was present on stage to provide
discussion and commentary from their experiences in China.
Mark Healy, Associate Director at Bates Smart Architects,
Fiona Winzer, Principal of Winzer Architects, and Greg
Gong, Director of Denton Corker Marshall, provided
insightful comments on their experiences and gave a
helpful context for the works that had been shown.
Exciting opportunities
‘The presentation provided value to the continuing
opportunities presented to Australian designers who have an
interest in engaging the China market,’ concluded Geoff.
‘Patrick and Curtis have set the bar at a very high level!’
Patrick and Curtis’s visit was generously sponsored by dmg
world media and the location of the Forum was at BMW
Edge, Federation Square. SPARK

‘There was a strong design personality evident in the

projects, and palpable proof of major opportunities in
China for the design profession,’ he said.

www.design.org.au

NSW DIA holds Top 9x9
The NSW branch of the DIA launched its Top 10x10 Designer Talk series in 2007, to provide an
opportunity for established and influential designers to share their knowledge and experience
with an audience of practicing designers and those interested in the design industry.
Following the success of Top 10×10, this year’s ‘Top
9×9’ was held as a key event for Sydney Design 08, and
followed the theme of nine leading practitioners sharing
a total of eighty-one invaluable insights on what makes
them tick.
The brief to the presenters was nine slides illustrating nine
insights, experiences, or inspirations in nine minutes - not
an easy task!
Louise Eastwood, DIA NSW Vice President and Graphics
Councillor, did the lion’s share of organising the Top 9x9
and was instrumental in its success, ably assisted by Clive
Solari and others.
The Top 9x9 presenters were as follows:
Andrew Parr is considered one of Australia’s foremost
interior designers. Since founding SJB Interiors in 1994,
Andrew’s excellence in design has continued with a range
of prestige projects. ‘The Establishment’, ‘St Margaret’s’,
‘MG Garage’ and the recently completed New Acton Hotel
in Canberra are some recognised examples of his work.
He has been highly awarded and widely published, and
is a figure widely recognised on the international scene.
2007 saw him elevated to ‘Fellow’ of the Design Institute
of Australia. He has kept SJB at the forefront of interior
design in Australia.
Cyrus Allen is the Director of Customer Experience at
Telstra Corporation. His role includes management of
Telstra’s user-centered design activities and operational
management of the new Telstra Experience Centre. Prior
to joining Telstra in 2004, Cyrus contributed strongly
to the emerging mobile content industry as Director
Global Content Alliances for Sony Ericsson Mobile
Communications. He also held the 2002 Chair position
for the Sony EuroTop Executives’ team. Before joining
the Sony Ericsson Joint Venture, Cyrus held various roles
at the local and global levels within Ericsson Mobile
Communications.
01
01_(back row) Cyrus Allen, Jason Little, Robert Foster, Clive Solari,
Jodie Fried, (front row) Richard Hoare, Peter Campbell, Michelle
Tarlinton, Andrew Parr
02_Michelle Tarlinton (Geyer).
03_ Elisa Dallwitz (The Artery), Hayley Retsas (The Artery), Alesha
Glennon (The Artery) and Tim Schaafsma (Steinhoff).
04_Pablo Chappell from Breville (left) and Cyrus Allen from Telstra
05_9x9 crowd.
www.design.org.au
02
Jason Little is Creative Director at Landor Associates,
and with over a decade of industry experience,
Jason has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in
leading global branding programmes in a number of
market sectors, including professional services and media
communications. Most recently Jason has led branding
programmes for News Limited, Telstra and The National
Heart Foundation. A frequent speaker and writer on
branding, he has been awarded locally and internationally
for his work.
Jodie Fried is the Founder and Designer of Bholu.
Bholu’s homeware products are designed in Australia and
are brought to life by the hands of women artisans in India.
The philosophy behind Bholu is about creating beautiful
contemporary products, and through the work the Indian
women gain independence and opportunity. Bholu is a Fair
Trade and Climate Neutral Company, with part proceeds
funding education facilities and other programmes for
underprivileged children.
Michelle Tarlinton is a retail and commercial interior
designer at Geyer with ten year’s experience. She has
worked in both the Melbourne and Sydney Geyer studios,
is a Geyer Associate, and a member of the senior design
leadership team. Her key projects include Babcock &
Brown, Country Road, and Industrial & Commercial Bank
of China. Michelle’s design inspiration is drawn through
a wide range of sources including the environment, the
arts and travel. She likes to nurture her creative side by
throwing paint around on a canvas.
03
04
9
spark_Spring 2008
Clive Solari graduated from DeMontfort University in
the UK in 1979. After working for a number of leading
design consultancies, he started Design Matters in 1985.
Clive was part of the team that designed the new Polaroid
600 camera, which has reached sales of 35 million units
worldwide, and is still on sale today. In 1999 Clive came
to Sydney to become partner and director of D3 Design,
reforming a partnership with David Francis whom he first
met at Ogle Design in the UK, where they redesigned the
London Bus in the early 1980’s. Clive is also a Director and
Fellow of the Design Institute of Australia.
Peter Campbell is a principal of CampbellBarnett Design
Partners. He is an architectural graduate equally at home
in the worlds of branding, information architecture, and
arts-related conceptual thinking. A professional career
spanning forty years has taken him many places artistically
and creatively, as he has followed diverse paths as a graphic
designer, photographer, musician and architectural glass
artist. He is also a ventriloquist and magician.
05
Chances are Richard Hoare is responsible for at least
one of the small appliances in your home. With twenty
year’s experience, Richard has overseen the design of over
two hundred and sixty household appliances sold in over
twenty-five countries. Richard is Director of Design and
Innovation for Breville (Housewares International) where he
is responsible for Breville Design globally. He was previously
Director of Design at Sunbeam. Under Richard’s guidance,
his teams have won over fifty international design awards.
Robert Foster trained in traditional silversmithing at the
Canberra School of Art. His craftsmanship is deeply rooted
in a highly developed sense of aesthetics and technical
proficiency. Robert works predominantly in hollowware,
sculptural lighting and furniture, and his work is held by
major institutions in Australia including the Australian
National Gallery and Parliament House in Canberra. He
also has pieces in the Albert Museum in London and the
‘Museum fur Kunst and Gewerbe’ in Germany. Robert
designed the iconic F!NK Water Jug, and his company
F!NK+Co. sells its range of more than twenty-four products
world-wide.
Top 9x9 was sponsored by Arredorama, Designer Rugs,
and The Artery, and presented by the Design Institute of
Australia as part of Sydney Design 08.
Congratulations to all DIA members, sponsors and
attendees. SPARK
10
spark_Spring 2008

Queensland DIA makes a splash

Queensland designers achieved record entry numbers in this year’s qdos (Queensland designers
on show), with finalists enjoying a month’s exposure in the prestigious Gallery of Modern Art.

The exhibition showcased a cross section of work from the

best Queensland designers recognised as finalists in the
2008 awards program, and included multimedia and three
dimensional displays of this year’s finalists, and Smart State
Designer of the Year finalists.

High fashion
The last two weeks of the exhibition also profiled the eight
fashion design pieces showcased in this year’s winners
function at the Schonell Theatre.

The night included performances by Vulcana Women’s

Circus, the Egoli Fashion Parade, presentation of the Gold
and Silver awards, live Jazz and decadent food served up to
a 1930’s Shanghai theme!

Three design excellence awards were given at qdos.

The Queensland Art Gallery 
received two awards, one in

Visual Communication Design for
an exhibition catalogue
on Katharina Grosse: Picture Park, and the other in the
category of Interior Design for Andy Warhol at the Gallery
of Modern Art.

Infinity Design Development
 received an award in
 the

category of Three Dimensional Design for 
its work on
Mojo RTK.

Bubble and speak

01
Queensland DIA also hosted the ever-popular Bubble and
Speak Breakfast Series held at the stylish Emporium Hotel.

A unique chance to enjoy a delicious breakfast while being

inspired and informed, Bubble and Speak speakers included
Kirsti Simpson, director of HASSELL, who related her recent
journey to visit a variety of works by key exhibitors at the
2008 Milan Furniture Fair, in a talk entitled ‘The Good, The
Bad and The Ugly.’

Debaser Music Industry Creative presented a stimulating

visual retrospect of projects such as album covers for Paul
Kelly and Powderfinger.

Architect and artist Paul Fairweather shared his inspirations 03

from his recent involvement with TED, and Kevin Finn
of Finn Creative, who lives in Kununurra WA , proved
that with the right technology you can work from
anywhere! SPARK
02

06

05

04 07 08

01_02_qdos exhibition 2008.

03_Kirsti Tenni, Cara Wrigley and David Shaw FDIA.
04_05_qdos gala.
06_QLD Govt Minister for Arts, Rod Welfod, presents Rob
Geddes with the Smart State Designer of the Year Award 2008.
07_Cameron Burgess, Nicole Cox (MDIA) and Jacob Vagg
08_Finalists of the Smart State Designer of the Year, Rob Geddes,
Revy Bryce Browning and Ari Athens with Dianne Smith, John
Stafford and Natalie Wright.

www.design.org.au

5 Minute
Feedback
In similar vein to NSW,
DIA Victoria held a
recent student design
forum called ‘5 Minute
Feedback’.
Georgina Wharton, DIA VIC Student Affairs Councillor,
said that the forum was held in conjunction with the
Melbourne State of Design Festival and located at
BMW Edge.
Professional opinions
‘The forum provided Victorian design students with the
rare opportunity to meet face to face with renowned
design professionals,’ Georgina explained.
‘Designers from Interior Design, Industrial Design,
Graphic Design, Furniture Design and Fashion/Textile
Design attended, providing students with practical
feedback on a range of subjects applicable to their
portfolios and projects.
‘Students obtained a unique insight into their
preferred profession.
Valuable insights
‘They learned to foster professional development skills and
gained valuable tips on marketing themselves within the
design industry.
‘Networking opportunities with students from other
institutions were also available.’
According to Georgina, the student forum proved
extremely successful.
Popular event
‘5 Minute Feedback was well received by industry
professionals and the large audience alike,’ she said.
‘Many stayed on after the official finish for more
information, and to chat with designers.
‘Based on the response, we hope to make the forum an
annual event,’ Georgina concluded. SPARK
www.design.org.au
Protecting your IP
The importance of safeguarding intellectual property (IP)
via contracts with individual employees, suppliers and bid
partners is vital.
Peter Gandolfo, DIA Legal
Advisor and Managing Partner
at Melbourne law firm, Partners
Legal, said that failure to put
in place simple protective
measures could cost
designers dearly.
A continuing problem
‘As an example, let’s consider a relatively common scenario,’
said Peter.
Stellar Designs is a leading Melbourne architecture and
interior design firm and, has formed a consortium to bid for
the multi-million dollar fit-out of a brand new commercial
office block.
The Stellar-led consortium, which includes IT firm, Universal
IT Solutions, and an Italian fabrics company, employs key
architect, Rory Wilson, who has a close relationship with
the client.
While working on the pitch, Rory has invented a special cup-
holder system, CleverCup, devised to prevent unnecessary
coffee spillage.
Retaining your investment
Stellar has invested a significant amount in building up a
relationship with the Italian fabrics’ company, Tessuto Verdi
(green fabrics), which has launched a new range of ‘carbon-
neutral’ environmental fabrics.
Tessuto Verdi has verbally agreed that the new fabrics will
be sold through Stellar exclusively in the Australian market
for a period of five years, provided Stellar lands the
Docklands’ project.
However Stellar’s MD, Stella McFarland, and Universal’s MD
don’t exactly see eye to eye. After one particularly heated
discussion two days before the tender officially opens,
Universal decides to leave the consortium.
Universal decides to lead its own consortium and teams up
with another interior design firm, Blueprint.
Avoiding disaster
Aware that Stellar’s Rory Wilson has the key relationship
with the Docklands client, Universal’s MD persuades him to
jump ship and join Blueprint.
The newly formed Universal consortium trounces Stellar and
lands the major fit-out job.
In addition to this, Rory has also taken his CleverCup
invention him, not to mention three quarters of Stellar’s
client base.
Stellar has lost what was an unloseable project, not to
mention the majority of its clients.
Stellar is unable to sustain its losses, and goes into
liquidation.
11
spark_Spring 2008
Safeguarding your company
Could this catastrophe have been avoided?
Yes. Had Stellar insisted on contracts with all employees,
suppliers and bid partners, much of the disaster would have
been averted.
An individual employee contract with Rory was particularly
important in that his role was client focused, he had access
to highly confidential information, and he was also involved
in state of the art design work.
Rory’s contract should have required him to:
Respect the confidential information of the business – that is
the data, operating processes and general business know-
how, client information and client lists.
In the event of his leaving the organisation, the contract
should have clearly stipulated that he could not:
> take client lists with him
> have dealings with Stellar clients for a designated
period of time
> divulge other confidential information about Stellar
without written consent
> use information to injure Stellar
Assign ownership of IP developed while working for Stellar
to his employer. This would apply to inventions, trade marks,
registered designs, copyright, processes, building manuals
and so on.
Behave non-competitively during and after employment -
neither approach nor accept an approach from any Stellar
client, customer, supplier, contractor or investor for an
agreed time.
Restraint on recruiting staff. On his departure his contract
should have stipulated that for a specific period of time after
his departure he was prohibited from headhunting Stellar staff.
Enforceable contracts
Had Rory been required to sign a contract of this nature, it is
highly unlikely he would have left Stellar in the first place.
He would be unable to join forces with Universal, he would
not been able to have dealings with the Docklands client, he
wouldn’t have been able to take his highly prized CleverCup
invention with him, and he would not have been able to lure
staff to work with him at Blueprint.
Had Stellar had individual employee agreements in place, it
is highly unlikely Universal would have risked walking away
from the consortium.
Preventing catastrophe
While individual agreements were particularly important
to safeguarding Stellar’s business, striking up a teaming
agreement with Universal when the companies first entered
the consortium arrangement would also have helped
prevent Stellar’s demise.
Under this agreement, Universal would not have able to
circumvent Stellar or disclose any confidential information to
its new consortium partners.
Stellar should also have entered into a licensing arrangement
with Tessuto Verdi - one which clearly stipulated that its
fabrics would be exclusive to Stellar.
Had this been the case, Stella McFarland would not have
choked on her cornflakes when she read in Artichoke the
day after her company folded, that the Italian company’s
fabrics were now available in Australia through Blueprint..
Names of companies and individuals in this article are fictitious.
PARTNERS Legal offers legal advice and services in estate planning
and management, business succession planning, corporate,
commercial and employment law, and property transactions. SPARK
12
spark_Spring 2008

Fashion graduate sews

up London prize
Talented fashion design student, Solomon Harris-Light, recent
graduate from Raffles College of Design and Commerce in
North Sydney, (which has a DIA education membership), has
• Name: Merell Browne, MDIA
collected third place in the prestigious international Hand & • Occupation: Interior Designer,
Lock embroidery competition in London. Merell Browne Design
• Born: NSW

Over the moon • Lives: Melbourne

Solomon’s award-winning entry was a striking charcoal grey, • Likes: Early music, art history.
wool evening dress, featuring silver metallic thread sewn • Dislikes: Confrontation, dishonesty.
through the sequins nine times over to create a starburst
effect flowing down over a highly sculptured peplum. • Last book that I read:
The Radetzsky March by Joseph Roth.
Solomon, who is currently completing an internship with
Akira Isogawa in Surry Hills, said that his winning entry was • Current favourite music CD:
influenced by medieval armoury and emblems. Renee Fleming, ‘Sacred Songs’.

‘The starburst creates a magical effect, like stars glistening.

• My last supper would be:
Embroidery is my passion, so I am very excited to have won Crayfish with rye bread and butter.
this award,’ Solomon said. • 4WD owner?: No
• Best design I’ve seen lately:
Fierce competition Phillipe Starck’s ‘Ghost Chair’
Solomon won US$1000, a free trip to London for the
• Worst design I’ve seen lately:
prize giving in early November, entry to the 2008 Hand &
Lock embroidery conference, a commemorative framed
The new Arts/Music Centre in Dodds
embroidered plaque produced by Hand & Lock’s craftsmen Street, Melbourne.
in central London, plus mentoring and work experience. • In my spare time: I spend it with my
husband Marshall.
Program Director of Fashion at Raffles College, Robert de
Giovanni, who mentored Solomon through the completion • I love design because: I am passionate
of the project, said that the talent pool in the international about art. Art is life and life is art.
competition was fiercely competitive.
• If I wasn’t a designer:
‘Many of the traditional entrants in Hand & Lock hail from I would be an archeologist.
countries with long and established textile traditions, or from
colleges which focus more exclusively on embroidery and the
applied arts,’ explained Robert. ‘This makes Solomon’s win all
the more resonant and benchmarks our innovative program
favourably against the rest of the world.’ SPARK

DIA member makes

Women’s Who’s Who listing Spring_2008
SPARK is the National
Newsletter of the DIA.
©2008 DIA

Sydney-based Interior Designer, Busy career While every effort is

made to ensure that
Kate St James MDIA, has been the contents and quality
listed in the recently released 2008 Born in England, Kate St James has led a busy life full of Industrial Design of material contained
in SPARK conforms
edition of Crown Content’s ‘Who’s design and journalism, and has built a successful career Furniture Design to DIA principles,
Who of Australian Women’. within Australia as a writer and interior designer. the DIA accepts no
Interior Design responsibility whatever
Currently Managing Editor of Universal Magazines Home Interior Decoration for any omissions, errors
Significant contribution Design + Living Series, Kate has been a DIA Member for or opinions, however
Interior Architecture occasioned.
The book is a sister (?!) publication more than twenty years.
Exhibition and Display
of the well known 100-year-old
biographical reference title ‘Who’s Who in Australia’, and Inspired by example TV, Film & Theatre Set
Graphic Design
The Voice of Professional Design

marks the lives of women who have made a significant Kate says her inspiration in life comes from other influential Visual Communication
contribution to Australian life at a community, state, national, female leaders, including the late architect and furniture
Web Design
or international level. designer, Eileen Gray, and wallpaper designer and
Multimedia Design
Entry into the book cannot be booked or paid for, and each businesswoman, Florence Broadhurst.
Digital Environment Design
woman’s inclusion is independently considered on its merits. Kate’s nomination places her in the company of luminaries
Digital Animation Design
such as actress Cate Blanchett, Deputy Prime Minister Julia
Digital Game Design
Gillard, HRH Princess Mary of Denmark, former Australian
netball captain Vicki Wilson, and many other extraordinary E-commerce Design
Australian women. SPARK Textile Design
Jewellery Design
Fashion Design
Thanks to the James Harper Tess Power Kate St James
Design Management
Louise Eastwood Lorraine Page David Robertson
following people Design Education
Clive Solari Fiona Murphy Paul Gosney
and/or organisations
Georgina Wharton Linda Gehard Doug Buckle
for contributions to Geoff Fitzpatrick Leigh Ryan Peter Gandolfo
the Spark newsletter: Need more information?
Alice Blackwood Joanne Cys Merell Browne
Anna Magnus Phillippa Rowland Design Institute
of Australia
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reflect the views of the DIA and its members.
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