LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Lucy Feagins, The Design Files
We’ve created this awards program to formally acknowledge the designers, architects & makers who contribute to Australia’s vibrant creative community. Having spent 11 years championing Australian design and creativity, we have to admit - the local design industry no longer lacks a platform. Truth be told, in 2019, design media is a cluttered, noisy place. There’s no shortage of publicity for architects, designers and makers. Finally, these disciplines are widely acknowleged and proudly celebrated, as they should be. But it seems to me what might be most valuable for Australian designers now, is not necessarily another cover story, blog post or Instagram shout out. Whilst media coverage is crucially important, it is also increasingly fleeting. To be celebrated by the media simply doesn’t mean what it did 10 years ago.
Photo – Eve Wilson Art Direction – Annie Portelli Production –The Design Files
The Design Files Design Awards aims to cultivate something altogether more meaningful, and longer lasting. This program is designed to bring the creative industries together (that’s why we have 31 judges, across 12 disciplines), to offer a robust, respected process for critique and acknowlegement of a wide range of projects and practices, and to elevate those rare, remarkable creative ideas that push culture forward. We recognise the diverse creative fields which make up modern Australia, from small scale, handcrafted practices, to complex, collaborative projects. That’s why this unique awards program celebrates the best in residential architecture and interior design, alongside innovative new work by Australia’s most talented landscape designers, furniture designers, craft practitioners, floral designers, textile designers, stylists, art directors and more. These awards offer creatives an opportunity to be acknowledged by peers and contemporaries, and be awarded for the real contribution they’ve made to Australian culture. This is an opportunity we hope will bring the best of the best together to uncover and properly acknowledge the most innovative creative happenings in Australia each year. Thank you for being part of it! Lucy Feagins Founder & Editor The Design Files 3.
