Lighting Design is one of the few design disciplines to emerge from Australia in recent years with a truly global market base. With an emphasis on craftsmanship and bespoke solutions, Australian lighting designers are globally recognised.
This category seeks to award one distinctive Australian lighting design project completed between January 1st 2020 and April 27th 2021. Individual products or product ranges developed within Australia, bespoke designs and one-off lighting projects or installations will be considered in this category.
One winner in the Lighting Design category will be awarded a $2000 cash prize. Up to two commendations will also be awarded.
Applications have been shortlisted by The Design Files team. Shortlisted entries will be assessed by two expert judges, on the following criteria :
Fulfilment of the client brief / project objective
Originality – something we haven’t seen before, something invented from scratch.
Visual Appeal – beauty, boldness, aesthetic appeal.
Craftsmanship – how well does this project demonstrate mastery of a craft?
Function – how well does this space deliver the desired functional outcomes?
Sustainability – how well does this project contribute to positive environmental outcomes, with specific consideration of local environmental impact, management and reduction of waste, water and energy consumption?
Visionary thinking – does this project push boundaries, does it achieve something bigger than the intended commercial outcomes?
Bonus points will be awarded to projects with pro bono or community focussed outcomes, and/or projects limited by an unusually tiny budget.
Alex Earl’s collection of sculptural lighting pieces encompasses both wall sconce and pendant features. Each rough and textured shade creates soft ambient lighting, and is unique due to the unpredictability of the glass moulding process.
Pieces in this collection are the result of months spent experimenting the possibilities of casting glass, combined with precision machined brass. The design uses cast glass in an unusual way not usually seen in lighting, in that, rather than attempt to control all aspects of the material, the glass has been allowed to respond naturally to the process.
Among key works is the Solt Pendant, which utilises recycled glass from glass blowing workshops. This glass that would normally be considered a waste product, as it is no longer ‘pure.’
Alex Earl devised repeatable moulds to ensure minimal waste in the process of creating this collection, and all electricity used is derived from renewable energy providers. Pieces are entirely designed and produced in the studio’s Melbourne workshop.
Conceived as a ‘braided’ design of interlocking loops, the ‘Loopi Wall Sconce’ by Articolo is reminiscent of sculptural wall jewellery, confident in shape and form but quietly sophisticated. The brass bracket holds a tubes of frosted glass entwined in a figure reminiscent of a ‘pinky promise’.
Intrigued by the effect of light travelling through the mixture of new translucent coloured resin and the glittering waste of the perspex particles, Marta Figueiredo produced the ‘Stardust Lamp’ at home during lockdown using liquid resin and silicone.
Celina co-founded ISM Objects in 1990. For over 30 years, ISM Objects has designed lighting and furniture products with a focus on technology, experimentation and a commitment to Australian manufacturing. Celina’s work is also held in major collections including MOMA New York, the Powerhouse Museum NSW & the National Gallery of Victoria.
Trained in industrial design, Christopher Boots’ focus is on interpreting lighting as sculptural objects. His self-titled studio was founded on material and metaphysical exploration of quartz crystal, birthing a signature aesthetic.
Made using a glass casting process, Alex Earl’s collection of sculptural lighting pieces encompasses wall sconce and pendant features. Each shade is unique due to the unpredictability of the glass moulding process.
An extension of the ‘Lighthouse’ table lamp, the ‘Stack’ lamp sees a frosted bulb balanced on a terracotta clay base. Each piece stands at approcximately 75cm tall.
Disturbed by the amount of time spent indoors last year, designer Dean Norton attempted to mitigate elevated rates of stress, anxiety, loneliness, and depression by bringing the outdoors in. ‘Daylight’ is a sculptural, frosted glass, therapy lamp with a floating, full spectrum globe that mimics natural sunlight.
This two-tier, 18-head chandelier by Dean Toepfer is the outcome of upscaling an existing modular light system. Bulding on the ‘Solute’ pendant light, the ‘Solute’ chandelier is an adaptable, large-scale feature light made by combining artisan glass blowing techniques with modern design technologies.
Commissioned for a contemporary interior in a heritage building, South Drawn created a constellation of crumpled mesh globes attached to the end of spindly brass arms. The aim was to create a delicate, ethereal installation giving the illusion of floating through space.
These sculptural standing lights are the outcome of Ivana Taylor’s combined interest in timber and textile. Shaped in circular and arched forms, these unique designs diffuse a soft, ambient glow.
Through the amalgamation of traditional basket weaving and modern digital design, Edward Linacre created an expandable timber mesh that could be woven into an intricate geometric network lighting shade. The final, large-scale design mimics unfolding sunflower petals and radiates light inwards.
Comprising an opal white acrylic box and geometric acrylic sheets in alternating shapes and colours, the ‘Layers’ lamp by svikis. is completely customisable. The lamp is made portable via a USB charging point and flatpack dissembly capabilities.
Intrigued by the effect of light travelling through the mixture of new translucent coloured resin and the glittering waste of the perspex particles, Marta Figueiredo produced the ‘Stardust Lamp’ at home during lockdown using liquid resin and silicone.
Conceived as a ‘braided’ design of interlocking loops, the ‘Loopi Wall Sconce’ by Articolo is reminiscent of sculptural wall jewellery, confident in shape and form but quietly sophisticated. The brass bracket holds a tubes of frosted glass entwined in a figure reminiscent of a ‘pinky promise’.
The Arbour Linear Pendant is a continous timber form made from solid walnut, rock maple or oak capped with champagne-hued anodised aluminium. It is designed to be an elegant downlight solution.