Once again a highlight of Furnitex was the annual furniture competition VIVID – Vibrant Visions in Design. This colourful and innovative selection of new furniture ideas attracted a constant stream of curious onlookers as well as accolades from the judging panel. With a strong emphasis on environmentally sound, sustainable furnishing ideas, the featured designs abounded with recycled materials and environmentally friendly production values.
Showcasing over 90 new design
ideas from 45 different designers,
VIVID offered up a selection of
diverse new design ideas.
”We had to expand the stand to fit
everyone in and really show every piece
off to its best advantage. The design
standard also is very high,” said curator,
Uli Hasel. In fact, she said that this
year VIVID was featuring mostly all new
designers with only eight having shown at
VIVID before.
With a combination of impeccable
workmanship and a fresh approach to design,
Hasel’s comments were backed-up with this
year’s VIVID said to be the ‘best show to date’
by the judging panel.
There was a vibrant, playful edge to this year’s
collections as designers played up to the
Big + Bold theme of VIVID 2008. Children’s
furniture, statement homewares and splashes
of bold colour highlighted the sense of energy
and innovation at this year’s show.
Highlights included the prototype Suspense
Bed by automotive engineer-turned-designer
David Pearce. His sporty prototype attracted
the crowd’s attention while the glowing 100%
recyclable Bud Shade lighting fixture from
John Hallet Design offered a sustainable
lighting option without sacrificing style.
The awards, announced and presented
by Victorian Premier John Brumby,
were allocated to some of the best new
designers coming up fast on the furniture
design radar.
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