Great news! After a long winter of discontent, Victoria is open and the 2021 VIVID Design Awards will be on exhibition at Showroom By Bowens in Port Melbourne from November 23rd – December 6th. 

Curated by Latitude Group’s Daniel Dalla Riva, VIVID is always an important destination for both the local and international design industry. Judged by a panel of prominent design industry figures, finalists usually exhibit their prototypes at Decor + Design and the Australian International Furniture Fair (AIFF), co-located exhibitions which takes place annually at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

Thanks to the pandemic and the sliding border doors across Australia, the events did not take place in 2021 but will return to the Melbourne in 2022, 14 – 17 July.

However, design aficionados can be inspired by the 2021 VIVID finalists at an installation at Showroom By Bowens, with the winners to be announced on Friday November 26th at the showroom in Port Melbourne from 3 – 6pm. 

VIVID is also sponsored by Laminex (Principal 2021 Partner), Artichoke, Dulux, Design Institute of Australia (DIA) and the Authentic Design Alliance (ADA).  

Awards categories include Furniture Design, Lighting Design, Object Design, Concept Design, the Authentic Design Alliance Award of Merit, and the VIVID 2021 Judges Choice Award. You can view the finalists in each category here. 

Providing a Platform for Australia’s Emerging Designers

Vibrant Visions in Design (VIVID) is Australia’s longest running design competition, marking its 18th anniversary in 2021. 

VIVID is recognised as an important forum for Australia’s emerging and early career furniture, lighting & object designers, and has launched the careers of many prolific Australian designers.

Showroom By Bowens (SBB) is a dedicated resource for architects, interior and product designers; an architectural space that conceals and reveals a curated selection of architectural hardware, fittings and fixtures for commercial and residential projects. 

They work closely with Australia’s leading Architecture and Design studios, collaborating with them, their builders, and their makers, to create tailored solutions for their special projects. 

“Every touchpoint of SBB aligns with our commitment to design excellence, and our support of Australian design and manufacture. The VIVID Design Awards provides us with the opportunity to extend this commitment to the best of Australia’s emerging design talent.”

Showroom By Bowens

Bringing the Design Community Together

In an industry built on the tactile, the hunger for the return of in-person events and exhibitions in Australia is high. 

Trade shows are essential in fostering inspiration and celebrating emerging talent at platforms such as VIVID, as well as allowing more established brands to exhibit indoor and outdoor furniture, lighting, art, textiles and more.

If there’s one thing we’ve all learned since the pandemic began, it’s that physical and face-to-face connection is utterly irreplaceable. While we’re grateful for the virtual tools at our disposal, the return to real life events is crucial for an industry which depends on people interacting and engaging all of the senses to truly experience a product. 

The 19th edition of the Australian International Furniture Fair (AIFF) in 2022 promises to be a triumphant return, with leading companies such as Himolla, HTL, Dixie Cummings, M Design and MLILY already confirmed to exhibit. It will be co-located with Decor + Design, which will feature exhibitors such as Warwick Fabrics, La Grolla, Kave Home (formerly LaForma), Bisque Interiors, James Stewart Furniture and many more.

Until then, we look forward to celebrating emerging design talent at the VIVID Design Awards from November 23rd – December 6th. Visit Showroom By Bowens at 128 Salmon St, Port Melbourne; the awards will be presented on Friday 26th November from 3pm – 6pm.

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