We’re delighted to announce the winners of the 2021 VIVID Design Awards. This year’s field of finalists set a new benchmark, with a stunning level of craftsmanship, sustainability and innovation. The awards presentation took place in Port Melbourne at the spacious Showroom By Bowens, attended by the finalists and around 100 design aficionados.

Now in its 18th year, VIVID (Vibrant Visions in Design) is Australia’s longest running competition for emerging designers, with entrants required to be less than five years in practice. It has become a significant launching pad for the industry, with past winners including Adam Markowitz and Lab De Stu.

VIVID was belatedly able to go ahead in 2021 with the support of Showroom by Bowens, as well as Principal Partner Laminex, and key sponsors and partners including Dulux, Artichoke, Design Institute of Australia (DIA), Authentic Design Alliance (ADA) and Houzz.

VIVID Curator and multi-disciplinary designer, Daniel Dalla Riva from Latitude Group, says that 2021 set a higher standard than ever before, and many of the finalists and winners are already on the path to long and successful careers.”

This year’s esteemed panel of judges included Cassie Hansen (Artichoke),Anne-Maree Sergeant (Authentic Design Alliance), Dalila Yorke (Showroom by Bowens), Rachel Oakley (Laminex), Andrea Lucena-Orr (Dulux), Bernadette Wilson (Design Institute of Australia), Edward Linacre (Copper Design), Georgia Danos (James Richardson Furniture), Adam Markowitz (Markowitz Design)and Filip Bjazevic (Latitude Group).

VIVID 2021 Design Awards at Showroom By Bowens. Image: @peterclarkephoto

Please see below for details on the 2021 VIVID winners across Furniture, Lighting, Object and Concept categories, as well as the recipients of the Colour Award, Authentic Design Alliance Award of Merit, the VIVID Judges Choice Award and the Houzz People’s Choice Award.

2021 VIVID DESIGN AWARDS WINNERS

Dean Norton was awarded the 2021 VIVID Judges Choice Award, sponsored by Laminex, for his exceptional entries, which included the FLOAT coffee tables. FLOAT explores transparent form with subtle overlay of texture, transforming simple tables into light shape-shifting pieces. Made entirely of glass, FLOAT’s seamless form changes depending on the viewing angle. @deannorton

Samuel Burns received the FURNITURE DESIGN AWARD, also sponsored by Laminex, for Arc Bench. The basis of this project was to incite interaction through both tactile and social engagement. Arc Bench has integrated a sense of dynamism through the shifting forms, creating a dialogue and encouraging physical interactions. @sabi.studi

Isaac Pelchen won the OBJECT DESIGN AWARD, sponsored by Showroom by Bowens, for Optic Candelabra. This beautiful object plays with light, bending it to create motion and intrigue within a static object. As the candle burns, the candelabra’s form harnesses the phenomena of refraction and puts it into motion. Optic Candelabra also received the 2021 COLOUR AWARD, sponsored by Dulux. The vibrant pigments symbolise the spectrum of colour visible during refraction. @isaacpelchen.studio

Julia Quirk won the CONCEPT DESIGN AWARD, sponsored by the Design Institute of Australia, with Poly Chair. Poly Chair’s design explores the reuse of excess stock fabric from upholstery processes. A double-curved shell is constructed through melting, forming and layering rolled polyester fabric, floating lightly above a frame. The soft nature of polyester textile contrasts with the hard, structural interior, displaying the narrative of the chair’s composition. @huqrk

Samuel Burns was also awarded the LIGHTING DESIGN AWARD, sponsored by Artichoke, for Onu Floor Light. This piece was recognised for bringing a sense of the natural world into interior spaces through form and symbolism; “a glimmer of light between the trees.” The intention of the light was not to dominate a space but to softly invite intrigue and interest from the occupants. @sabi.studio

The 2021 Authentic Design Alliance (ADA) Award of Merit went to two winners. Samuel Burns for his Arc Bench and Zachary Hanna for On Hold Wall Hook. On Hold is designed for use with adhesive tape, allowing it to be attached with no damage to the wall. The form of the hook is a sweeping steel sheet, creating a delicate shadow and casting light onto the timber insert, which conceals the adhesive tab or or screws. @zacharyhanna

Finally, the 2021 Houzz People’s Choice Award was awarded to Sandra Githinji for ‘Bloom Collection: Queen Nandi’ (left). Bloom is a sculptural vase collection that preserves historical memory and pays tribute to phenomenal African female figures. The debut piece is of the historical “Queen Nandi” from South Africa, cast in a polyresin.

The Houzz People’s Choice Award is voted for by the Houzz community of interior designers, decorators, architects and housing industry professionals.

Go here to view all the 2021 VIVID Design Awards finalists, in what was an exceptional field. The next VIVID Design Awards will take place at the Australian International Furniture Fair and Decor + Design, 14 – 17 July 2022. Register your interest to attend the event and stay up to date on VIVID, the International Seminar Series and exhibitors.