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Media Release
14 January 2008
PDF Format » [49kb]

 

Internationally acclaimed interior, industrial and furniture designer Michael Young, of Michael Young Studio, will
ensure a memorable 20 year celebration for designEX when he appears as a keynote speaker at the event’s
International Seminar Series.

Young, alongside other local and international design experts’ topics will look to the future of interior, architecture
design and branding, examining the impact of social and environmental issues in the broader design industry.

Held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, the annual designfest will run from 10 - 12 April 2008 with the
International Seminar Series playing a crucial role in delivering quality and insightful industry perspectives.

“Michael Young is undoubtedly one of the world’s most revered designers, a key player in shaping the future of
design. It is an honour to have him lead what promises to be an insightful, engaging and informative International
Seminar Series,” Danielle Fischer, Group Show Manager of designEX, said.

Keynote Speakers
Michael Young’s presentation will look to the future of design trends, drawing reference from his own works and those
of other luminaries. From the outset of his career, Young has been one of the most successful designers of his
generation. His early woven steel works were acquired by public institutions such as Centre Pompidou, The Louvre in
Paris museum, Die Neue Sammlung Museum in Germany and the Design Museum in London. He has produced
products for some of the world’s most recognised brands including an MP3 player for Kuro Music, a bicycle for Giant,
a barware range for Schweppes Tonic, as well as other products for Asahi, Passaanha Oil and Georg Jenson. Young
was also creative director of 2007’s Tokyo 100% Design.

Celebrity landscaper and horticulturist, Jamie Durie, returns to the International Seminar Series with his keynote
discussion on the future of sustainability and design. Durie, selected in 2007 by Al Gore as a climate change
ambassador, will examine sustainable design of outdoor spaces. Interior designer John Eussen will accompany
Durie, looking at the subject from an interior perspective.

Seminar Speakers
In the age where brands vie for attention, in an increasingly overcrowded, competitive market, any opportunity to build
brand awareness and loyalty is vital to success. Someone who understands this truism is Amanda Henderson,
founder of Gloss Creative, who will present Cross Dressing – the art of transformation. Henderson delivers edgy,
3-dimensional brand experiences for some of Australia’s most style-conscious companies such as the dressing up of
Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival marquees for Myer, Moët & Chandon and Longines. Henderson pins her success
on collaborations that she says are a true “cross-dressing of design”. Architects, interior designers, graphic designers,
shop fitters, production companies, printers, textile designers and artists all assist in the creative process, an
amalgamation of various styles and genres to deliver a unique brand experience.

John Ford, CEO and Marcus Lui, Creative Director of Products and Environment of The One Centre, will
present the Brand Theatre, how the built environment is engaging consumers in the Experience Economy.
Leaning on years of experience with names such as Audi and McDonalds, Ford will introduce visitors to the concept
of the Experience Economy and how design can help drive this branding exercise. Lui will link the built environment
with design to offer an international perspective on the complexities of branding through the environment.

Restaurateur and bar owner turned revered interior designer and architect, Michael McCann, Director of Dreamtime
Australia, has several projects to boast about, most notably, Sydney’s Flying Fish restaurant. Presenting the seminar
Hospitality Design: Provide excitement or perish, visitors will discover the future of design in the hospitality industry.
McCann was named the Australian Hospitality Designer at the 2004 IDEA awards (for Sydney's Flying Fish
restaurant), Wallpaper* magazine's "designer du jour" (Sydney) and was selected as one of the most influential
people in Australian design by Scene Design Quarterly.

With increasing work hours, the work environment is becoming an evermore important design issue. Robert
Backhouse, Director and the head of Hassell interior design, and Jane Williams, Managing Director (Victoria)
Bligh Voller Nield, will ask (and answer): What’s Next? Imagine the possibilities of workplace design. Taking
sustainability into mind, the duo will inspire visitors in a debate-style forum juxtaposing ideas about the role of space,
mobility, technology and the psychological impact of workplace design. The Work Life seminar by James Calder,
Director of Woods Bagot’s global workplace sector and consulting arm, will examine ways workplace design
can influence creativity and productivity.

Karen McCartney, editor of Inside Out magazine, will walk visitors through the iconic residences of the 50s, 60s and
70s in her aptly titled seminar Iconic Australian residential design, the title of her recently released hardback. As
part of the session, McCartney will interview visionary architect Bruce Rickard whose post-war residential housing
design is an iconic part of the Australia urban landscape. McCartney will sign books at The Bookshop, part of the
Design for Sustainability (D4S) feature at designEX 2008.

Additional seminars include:

• Richard Watson, Managing Director of What’s Next and Chief Futurist at the Future Exploration Network, will
  present The next 50 years in 50 minutes – the future of everything.
• Mark Landini, Founder of Landini Associates, will present Small is the new big, an examination of the new retail
  environment.
• Johannes Weissenbaeck, Director of PLAY Ι The Brand Experience Agency, will present Experience
  Marketing – the new cutting edge.
• A Passion for colour – three perspectives is a collaborative seminar presented by Libbi Bennison, Director of
  Programs at the School of Design, RMIT University; Andrea Lucena Orr, Colour and Communications Manager
  at Dulux; and Victoria Versteege, Program Coordinator and Cluster Manager at the School of Design, RMIT
  University.
• Tone Wheeler, Partner at Environa Studio will present Just breathe – Oxygen for designing minds.
• Terry Schwamberg-Kaljo, founder of the Contemporary Hotels Group, will present Attracting the phenomenon
  that is the new global traveller – an insight into the design of hospitality and accommodation.

Further details of speakers and topics for the designEX International Seminar Series can be obtained from www.designex.info/seminars. Bookings for the International Seminar Series are essential. Seminars cost $25 each.

 

 

For media accreditation to designEX 2008, please fill in the fields below

*Denotes mandatory fields

*Contact Name :
*Position :
*Outlet :
Mailing Address :
*Email :
*Contact number (with country and area code) :
*Website :

 

Jemima Wade,
Red Agency
Phone +61 (03) 9670 8350
Fax +61 0408 035 131
Email

 

 

 

• DesignFile 001: Signature Prints, Glamour Wallpaper Collection PDF Format »
• DesignFile 002: Newform Samurai ShowerPDF Format [45kb]
• Textiles Unveiled at designEX 2008 PDF Format [35kb]
• DesignFile 003 Areté Chair PDF Format [35kb]

 

DesignFile 003: Matteograssi Areté Chair by Franco Poli

To maintain her virtue (or as the Greek say, ‘areté’), the goddess Diktynna flung herself into the sea to escape the amorous pursuits of a mere mortal.

Rescued by fisherman, she was given the title ‘Goddess of Nets’ and revered throughout Greek history for her virtuous nature.

Can a chair be virtuous? Italian furniture-house Matteograssi, who will debut its Areté Chair to local design audiences at designEX 2008, certainly believe so.

Like the goddess it was named after, the Areté Chair has already won hearts. It was a favourite at the 2007 Venice International Art Expo Biennale and has even seen the Italian Presidente, Silvio Berlusconi, recline in its net-like seat.

Created by furniture designer Franco Poli, the Areté Chair’s seat is laser-cut from coach hide leather using a patented process that allows it to better shape the body. The frame, made from chrome-plated INOX cast stainless steel, supports the seat in a seamless finish.

Available as a dining armchair (pictured, width 60cm) or lounge chair (width 72cm), the Areté Chair is as practical as it is luxurious – both variations can withhold a total weight of 350kg which for a fisherman, even one rescuing a virtuous Greek goddess, is a decent catch.

 

Image: Matteograssi Areté Chair by Franco Poli is available exclusively through Classique Leisure, winner of the designEX 2007 Product Design Award for Furniture (Matteograssi Loom Chair). The Areté Chair is priced from RRP $3699 (GST inclusive). Quantity and trade discounts are available.

As a courtesy, it would be appreciated if designEX is referenced in editorial copy.
See the Matteograssi Areté chair unveiled at the Classique Leisure stand (1980) at designEX 2008, (April 10 - 12) Australasia's premier design forum. www.designEX.info. The Areté Chair can also be seen at the event’s social hub, the Champagne and Oyster Bar.

For further information, including high resolution images, please contact Jemima Wade at Red Agency, , +61 3 9670 8350.

 

About designEX
Celebrating 20 years, designEX 2008 returns to Sydney 10 – 12 April to showcase the latest trends and innovations in
contemporary design and architecture. A 20 year commemorative feature, The Design Tunnel, will celebrate memorable interior design products from the past two decades while the new D4S will be a drawcard for those looking towards the future of sustainable design. designEX favourites like Latitude, the Outdoor Room, Seminar Series and more will compliment the 20 year festivities, which will see some 20,000 visitors converge on the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre for three days. Form & Function, the premier exhibition for the building industry is co-located with designEX. designEX is a trade-only event. For further information, visit www.designEX.info. Registration is now available at www.designex.info/register.