ORIGINAL DESIGN

Designed furniture and objects have come a long way over the last few decades.

Back in the day when architects such as Featherston, Eames, Le Corbusier, Aalto and Boyd were designing, their pieces were hand sketched bespoke designs, made for clients whose houses or offices they were building.

Photo: Featherston book by Geoff Isaac, published by Thames and Hudson

Today there is a cross disciplinary approach to designing furniture, objects and lighting. It involves the collaboration of a number of professions from artists, industrial designers through to professionals in visual communications and graphic design.

Materials are also different, as 3D printing comes into play and the process of design itself eliminates the original hand sketched drawing, replacing it with computer generated ideas applied directly onto a tablet or device.

One of the most important elements that remain is the originality of design and ideas. This can be seen at a number of recent industry events that celebrate authentic design. Overseas examples such as Milan Design Week, NYCXDesign and design weeks in Stockholm, Paris and London.

In Melbourne, shows such as Denfair, Life Instyle and Decor+Design have all showcased original works of designers both locally and overseas.

Photo: Cult Design/ Bigola by Adam Goodrum for NAU

Decor+Design exhibited works of Australian designers in its VIVID Design Awards Competition. Three categories were covered including furniture, lighting and objects.

Photo: Vivid Design Competition 2017

The Vivid competition showed work that utilised materials including metals, local timbers and stone. Some pieces were handmade, some factory made and some created using digital fabrication.

Photo: The Shaker Bar by Geri Sloyan / Vivid Competition 2017

Locally, many retailers support and advocate authentic local and overseas products, such as Space Furniture, K5+Kinnarps, Cult Design, Top3 by Design, Spence & Lyda and Living Edge, just to name a few.

Photos: Alvar Aalto Vases by iittala

The Authentic Design Alliance is an organisation that raises awareness around design authenticity. A members based association, they provide education in the area of original design and brands, with information about intellectual property, copyright and protecting your design ideas from replication.

Even though times have changed with processes and materials used by the creative industries, one constant remains the same, that of originality, quality and authenticity of bespoke design.