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New design talent unearthed at AIFF competition
[Tue 07/02/2012 10:23:13]
Close to half of the 50 entries which came from Australia, New Zealand and Switzerland were chairs, stools or recliners, while three of the four awards were given to lighting designs.
“The Edge is important for several reasons,” says Uli Hasel, curator at Australian Exhibitions and Conferences. “For many designers it is the first industry experience while studying furniture design or other related design discipline, it serves as a bridge between education and industry, it celebrates the recognition of good design and serves as proof that good design must be sustainable.”
Four awards were handed out at the event including best new prototype designed by a tertiary student, best new prototype or concept by a professional designer, best new commercial release by a professional designer and green award for best new sustainable product.
“The Edge 2012 surprised judges with the high calibre of entries, particularly the winners caused great admiration and excitement,” adds Hasel.
Melbourne based Craig Byrne says he feels honoured to win the concept award for his ernest foldable stool. He believes the simplicity of the piece helped win over the judges.
 “…As the judges said sometimes things can be overdesigned and in this case [the stool] was sort of underdesigned and honest,” he says. “It pushed the boundaries in a sense that it didn’t… and being less is more.
“It’s a very simple product, there are no bells and whistles, it sort of keeps itself cool and it just does what it needs to do and that’s the main thing.”
The prize money will help recoup the costs of designing the chair and go towards growth of his venture ernest.studio.
“I just started running a studio about six months ago… Obviously everyone in the competition puts money into their products and being able to win a prize enables you to pay that back and keep going forward with it.”
New Zealand based Rebecca Asquith won both the green and commercial awards for her Nectar Pendant collection, which features a lampshade made from mostly recycled content.
Student entries came from institutions across the country including the University of Technology Sydney and the Sturt School for Wood. Christopher Vincent won this category for his 103 table lamp.
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Innovative seating and lighting pieces appear to be a strong design trend in 2012 if the results of 
