Australia’s best new products were recognised at designEX ’s annual New Product Awards celebration after the three-day exhibition.
To meet the criteria for the industry-recognised awards, exhibitor products must not be prototypes and have had to be released to the Australian market between 30 October 2008 and 30 April 2009.
According to Edward Owens, Event Producer, DMG world media, with 13 different categories from decorative accessories, lighting and furniture to flooring, building technologies and sustainability, the New Products Awards encapsulates the absolute diversity of the show.
Winners and finalists for the New Product Awards have been selected on the basis of excellence in design and manufacture, innovative features, ergonomic design, functionality, aesthetics, durability, versatility, safety features, commercial viability and environmental sensitivity.
The Award winners are:
- Appliances: Heatmaster for ’Gas Fireplace’
- Bathrooms: JD MacDonald for ’Select Classic’
- Building and Construction Systems: Bubbledeck Australia & New Zealand for ’Bubbledeck’
- Building Technologies: WC Wedderspoon for ’mCube90’
- Decorative Accessories: Picture Hanging Systems for ’Locator Mini Rail System’
- Doors and Windows: Sharp Plywood for ’XB+ Door Blanks’
- External and Structural Products Modtank for ’Modtank’
- Fabrics and Prints: Publisher Textiles for ’Laced sueded non-woven wallpaper’
- Flooring: Forbo Flooring Systems for ‘Global 3 Artoleum Striato’
- Furniture: Aussie Dutch Tubs for ’Dutch Tub’
- Internal and Surface Finishes: Baresque Environmentally Sustainable Design for ’Ecotop’
- Lighting: Marc Pascal for ’Orchid Light’
- Sustainability: Modtank for ’Modtank’
The New Products Awards judges comprised Kate St James from Universal Magazines, Ewan McEion from State of Design, Ralph Horne from the Centre for Design (RMIT), Paul Pitrone from Sustainability Victoria, and David Parken from the Australian Institute of Architects. All 64 finalists’ products were displayed at designEX. The New Product Awards was sponsored by Selector and Architectural Product News.