After an overwhelming response to our inaugural Design Awards last year, today we’re very excited to announce that The Design Files + Laminex Design Awards is BACK for 2020!

We created this awards program last year to acknowledge the designers, architects and makers who contribute to Australia’s incredibly vibrant creative community. And whilst there’s no doubt 2020 is bringing its fair share of challenges, we hope that our broad-reaching and inclusive awards program will continue to do what it does best – shine a spotlight on Australia’s talented and resilient creative community… and give us all something to celebrate come November!

Joining us as Presenting Partner for the awards this year is Laminex. We’re so proud to partner with Laminex to realise the awards program this year – their support will enable the program to continue well into the future, and we’re thrilled to be working closely with this heritage Australian brand. 

We’re immensely grateful to all our sponsors for throwing their invaluable support behind this awards program in what is an incredibly challenging year – THANKYOU Laminex, Brickworks, De’Longhi, Jardan, Country Road, and Phoenix Tapware.

ALL the info, prizes, judging criteria and eligibility can be found on The Design Files + Laminex Design Awards website (thankyou Annie Portelli and PDA – legends!)… but here’s a breakdown of the categories we’ll be awarding :

Residential Architecture

This category seeks to award one standout Australian residential architecture Project. Ground-up builds, renovations and additions are all eligible within this category.

Judges : Rachel Nolan (Kennedy Nolan), John Wardle (John Wardle Architects), Karen Alcock (MAArchitects)

The Residential Architecture award is presented by Brickworks.

Interior Design

This category seeks to award one distinctive Australian residential interior design Project created by an individual or studio.

Judges : Miriam Fanning (Mim Design), Chelsea Hing (Chelsea Hing Design) and Juliette Arent (Arent & Pyke).

The Interior Design award is presented by De’Longhi.

Landscape Design

This category seeks to award one standout Australian Landscape Design project. Residential, public and community gardens are all eligible within this category.

Judges : Paul Bangay (Paul Bangay Garden Design), Will Dangar (Danger Barin Smith) and Georgina Reid (The Planthunter)

Furniture Design

This category seeks to award one distinctive Australian furniture design project. Individual products and/or product ranges developed within Australia, bespoke pieces, fixed and freestanding furniture designs will be considered in this category.

Judges : Nick Garnham (Jardan), Khai Lieu (Khai Liew).

The Furniture Design award is presented by Jardan.

Lighting Design

This category seeks to award one distinctive Australian lighting design project. Individual products or product ranges developed within Australia, bespoke designs, one-off lighting projects and installations will be considered in this category.

Judges : Volker Haug (Volker Haug) and Kate Stokes (Coco Flip).

Textile Design

This category seeks to award one distinctive Australian textile design project. One-off textile designs, textile collections and textile-based fashion or homewares products will be considered in this category.

Judges : Cassie Byrnes (Variety Hour) and Luciana Wallis (Warwick Fabrics).

Handcrafted

This category seeks to award one outstanding Australian handcrafted project, completed by either an individual, group or organisation. A single handcrafted functional, decorative or wearable item, or a handcrafted product range will be considered in this category. Practitioners of any handcrafted discipline are eligible to enter.

Judges : Bruce Rowe (Anchor Ceramics), Amanda Dziedzic and Elisa Carmichael.

Sustainable Design or Initative

This category seeks to award one outstanding Australian sustainable designed product, concept, idea or initiative, developed by either an individual, group or organisation. Any project which is exemplary of sustainable innovation is eligible, including functional products, furniture and lighting, as well as concepts, ideas and community initiatives with positive environmental outcomes.

Judges : Jeremy McLeod (Breathe Architecture, Nightingale Housing) and Karina Seljak (Seljak Brand).

The Sustainable Design award is presented by Country Road.

Emerging Designer

This category seeks to award one outstanding designer, architect, independent creative or studio, working in any creative discipline, who has/have launched their current professional practice within the last three years.

Judges : Simone LeAmon (The Hugh Williamson Curator of Contemporary Design and Architecture at National Gallery of Victoria) and Sophie Gannon (Sophie Gannon Gallery).

The Emerging Designer Award is supported by Phoenix Tapware.

Collaboration

This category seeks to award one collaborative design project, where two or more separate creative practitioners, businesses or entities have come together to create one collaborative product, product range, installation, built structure or other creative project.

Judges : Megan Morton, Jeremy Wortsman (The Jacky Winter Group), and Amanda Henderson (Gloss Creative).

Phew…!

Entries are open NOW – until May 15th (that’s just 6 weeks, people!). The entry fee is just $70 (which makes ours the most accessible design awards program in Australia). That being said – The Design Files will waive fees for any entrant who is unable to pay the entry fees – please email awards@thedesignfiles.net  and we will assist.

First Nations makers and designers are encouraged to apply for The Design Files + Laminex Design Awards. Please email Sally@thedesignfiles.net if you are a First Nations maker or designer and you would like assistance with photography, waiving of entry fees or any other aspect of your application.

Winners will be announced at our awards ceremony at Deakin Edge, Federation Square in Melbourne on Thursday November 5th, 2020. (We’ve pushed the date out a little due to the health crisis… November is eight months away and boy, we’ll be ready for a celebration by then!).

Massive thanks to all our supporters and collaborators – including all our brilliant judges, photographer Eve Wilson, our hotel partner, Adelphi Hotel, our publicist Esther Navarro-Orejon of The Project Agency, and to Harry The Hirer and Cookes Food for future festivities!

ALL the info, prizes, judging criteria and eligibility can be found over at the TDF + Laminex Design Awards website.

…and for a little insight into last year’s Awards Ceremony… watch the short video below!