Industrial Design in Victoria Australia

Letters from Outerspace - Olivetti ETP55

2012-02-25T17:27:00.001+11:00

Outerspace Design is one of Australia's leading industrial design consultancies. Like the origins of the universe we all have to start somewhere.

Mark Johnson, Fred Blochlinger and Wallace Tench established Outerspace Design Group in a studio in Dickman Street Richmond. Building the business meant contacting potential new clients and this week Fred and Mark recalled the early days using a number of industry databases and sending out proposals typed on an Olivetti EPT55 typewriter. All early estimates, quotes and design proposals were typed on this Mario Bellini classic which has featured in the recent exhibition 'my valentine' at the Design Gallery. Years later whilst Design Manager at Outerspace I spied this typewriter high on a shelf in a back cupboard of the workshop. Knowing my interest in collecting Olivetti typewriters Mark kindly donated it to my collection.

Outerspace Design directors Fred Blochlinger and Mark Johnson with Ian Wong curator of 'my valentine' exhibition.

Olivetti ETP55 featured in 'my valentine' exhibition.

Origins of Outerspace - Original business cards from Outerspace Design director Fred Blochlinger.

www.outerspacedesign.com

Dean Benstead - RMIT graduate employment

2012-02-25T07:54:00.002+11:00

RMIT industrial design graduate Dean Benstead began his career as a professional industrial designer recently with leading industrial design consultancy Charlwood Design. RMIT alumnus and CEO Paul Charlwood was particularly impressed with Dean's sketching and wacom skills developed in the communications course and the wacom lab at RMIT University. Dean will get the opportunity to continue to develop these skills on a brand new Wacom 24HD arriving in the studio soon. Congratulations Dean.

RMIT industrial design graduate Dean Benstead joins Charlwood Design.

Dean Benstead sketches in the RMIT Wacom Lab with communications lecturer Bernie Walsh and distinguished alumnus Phillip Zmood.

www.charlwood.com.au

CobaltNiche - Foam modelling techniques

2012-02-23T20:25:00.001+11:00

CobaltNiche directors Jack Magree and Steve Martinuzzo studied industrial design at RMIT University and recalled today the influence of the foam modelling techniques passed on by Italian designer Dario di Diana. We studied together and learned foam modelling techniques from Dario in our final years at RMIT. Dario had worked with Mario Bellini in Milan on products for Olivetti like the ETP55 and the Logos range of electronic calculators. I can still recall the luminous green keys on the Olivetti Logos 75B that sat on a shelf in Dario's office in 2B2.

Dario di Diana not only introduced the technique to students, he designed and manufactured a small number of precision foam cutting machines in Melbourne.

CobaltNiche directors Steve Martinuzzo and Jack Magree pictured with RMIT University PhD researcher and colleague Ian Wong with the original Dario de Diana foam cutter.

Olivetti Logos 75B designed by Mario Bellini and studio designers including Dario di Dianna.

Jack, Steve and I all graduated in 1985 and by 1987 we had all worked with leading industrial design consultancy John Westood Design Associates. John Westwood purchased one of the original Dario foam cutters and one of the first projects it was used on was the Telecom Australia IKTS telephone design project. Jack Magree and Mario Matkovich produced models of all three concept proposals for what was the major industrial design project in Melbourne in 1987. The Aegis CZ300 which featured in the exhibition STILL09 was also an early Jack Magee design. Foam models were used to assess critical ergonomics for this innovative hand held electronic line fault locator.

Design World magazine No15 feature on RMIT industrial design highlights the significant use of the foam modelling technique in the program in 1988.

Foam modelling as a design technique is fundamental to many of the industrial design practices in Melbourne and the use of this technique is directly linked back to Milan and the practice of Mario Bellini. The original Dario de Diana machine pictured above is still used today at CobaltNiche more than 25 years on. Products like the Keep Cup and scientific instruments like the Premiers Design Award winning Varian 900-LC series all benefitted from a design process that included foam modelling.

Aegis CZ3000 designed by industrial designers Jack Magree and Mario Matkovich. 1987.

Premiers Design Award 2008 winning Varian 900-LC series designed by CobaltNiche.

www.cobaltniche.com

Building 87 - ID was here.

2012-02-22T23:30:00.000+11:00

Once home to the RMIT industrial design program, RMIT Building 87 is no more. Above the Australia Post store on the corner of Elizabeth and A'Beckett Streets was home to the program from the mid 1990s till 2010. The program began in Building 2, was briefly in Gossard Building 49, then 87, and now 440 Elizabeth Street, Building 88.

End of an era. Building 87 torn down recently.

Gone. RMIT Building 87 is no more.

Industrial Design 2012 reception - Building 88 Level 6

Industrial Design 2012 - Building 88 Level 6

DQ Magazine - Open Forum

2012-02-21T22:16:00.001+11:00

The recent issue of DQ magazine #44 featured Design Institute of Australia Victorian Branch Councillors James Harper, Clare Beale, and Ian Wong in the Open Forum.

What do you feel the next decade holds for design and society, and how do we stay at the forefront of this?

DQ magazine #44 Open Forum with James Harper, Clare Beale, and Ian Wong

TEXT FROM DQ Magazine #44

Ian Wong
Director, ejo
Design Education Practice Group coordinator – DIA Victoria

The next decade provides exciting opportunities for industrial designers. Blogging and social media today demonstrate how ideas can be instantly shared through smart phones and how truly global or local our impact as designers can be.

Australian designed products can find large and instant local or global markets and digital manufacture will see more products made in the neighbourhood or home. Additive manufacturing technology and digital 3D printers with multiple materials will enable complex items to be manufactured from hybrids of metal/plastic/organic etcetera.

Concepts like growing objects are more feasible. Organic products that serve seasonally like fruit or leaves may evolve. Product design is migrating away from the professional to the customer so we are likely to see more applications that provide the product design to your own specifications. Facilities, like the Advanced Manufacturing Precinct at RMIT University in Melbourne, and the cross discipline collaboration possible through their Design Hub will see us remain at the forefront regionally and globally.

http://designquarterly.com.au

Jim Samartgis - Household Product of the Year Award.

2012-02-21T01:42:00.002+11:00

The Decor range of Real Seal containers has been awarded the 'Product of the Year 2012' winning in the Household Category. Designed by Design Institute of Australia member and RMIT alumnus industrial designer Jim Samartgis the range includes patented features to seal and store. Congratulations Jim.

Award winning Decor Real Seal containers designed by industrial designer Jim Samartgis.

Product of the Year - Household Category the Real Seal range designed by RMIT alumnus Jim Samartgis.

US Design Patent - Decor 'Real Seal' designed by industrial designer Jim Samartgis.

http://decor.com.au/

Olivetti Design - Exhibition Floor Talk

2012-02-20T19:17:00.001+11:00

Olivetti design was centre stage today at the Design Institute of Australia Design Gallery with a floor talk by PhD researcher Ian Wong. To coincide with the exhibition 'my valentine' the floor talk focussed on the corporate approach to design at Olivetti and in particular the design practice involved in products like the ETP55. Students studying industrial design in Victoria at RMIT University in the 1980s adopted many of the techniques from ex Olivetti designer Dario de Diana. Mr Wong also compared recent work at Apple Design, showing an image of the current iMac keyboard, with the various keyboard designs on the classic Olivetti typewriters in the exhibition.

'my valentine' exhibition at the Design Gallery - Design Institute of Australia.

Curator Ian Wong presents a floor talk on 'Olivetti Design' at the Design Gallery.

Regis Glassware - Edward Kayser

2012-02-19T00:07:00.001+11:00

I have written several posts about the iconic and highly awarded 'Regis' range of glassware by RMIT alumnus industrial designer Edward Kayser. I had not seen this page from the Australian Design Index until recently.

Australian Design Index - Iconic Australian Regis Glassware by industrial designer Edward Kayser.

Link to other posts on Iconic Australian Regis Glassware.

Olivetti - Valentine typewriter references.

2012-02-18T23:45:00.000+11:00

The current exhibition 'my valentine' was inspired by the influence of many authors who have published about industrial design and in particular about Olivetti. My passion for industrial design has been fuelled by those who have documented practice and celebrated the profession. I had the great pleasure to meet Professor Penny Sparke in my role with the Design Archive at RMIT University and I took the opportunity to have her sign my copy of her book 'Italian Design, from 1870 to the present' by Thames and Hudson. I also noted that a book on Ettore Sottsass Jnr for the Design Council in 1982 is listed as Penny's first published work on Wikipedia. I have also collected copies of exhibition programs like the one from the Museum of Modern Art Olivetti exhibition.

A selection of texts and references on industrial design at Olivetti.

my valentine - Exhibition video

2012-02-17T23:55:00.002+11:00

The exhibition 'my valentine' is curated as a blended exhibition with a significant online presence. Those who are not able to view the objects in the Design Gallery are encouraged to view material online.

'my valentine' exhibition video curated by Ian Wong

my valentine - DIA President Oliver Kratzer visits.

2012-02-17T07:07:00.003+11:00

Design Institute of Australia President Oliver Kratzer visited the 'my valentine' exhibition at the Design Gallery yesterday. He is pictured here with DIA General Manager Phillippa Rowland.

Design Institute of Australia President Oliver Kratzer with DIA General Manager Phillippa Rowland.

Phillip Zmood - DIA membership letter 1963

2012-02-16T21:56:00.000+11:00

The current exhibition 'my valentine' celebrates the design of products for the modern office and an era of shorthand, carbon paper and paper clips. Letters typed in triplicate by highly skilled typist without an undo key.

This letter dated 3rd October 1963 from the RMIT Design Archives collection is a wonderful reminder of this time and allows me to focus yet again on the history of industrial design in Victoria.

Phillip Zmood is a graduate from RMIT industrial design and this letter represents his first recognition by the Industrial Design Institute of Australia of his qualifications as an industrial designer. Phillip would go on to be the first Australian head of Design at General Motors Holden and a Hall of Fame member of the Design Institute of Australia. The exhibition Zmood - Designing Holdens at Melbourne Museum in 2010 featured the career of Phillip Zmood.

Detail of manually typed letter to a young RMIT alumnus Phillip Zmood.

Phillip Zmood sketches concepts for Holden cars in the GMH studio at Fisherman's Bend early in his career.

Letter from the Industrial Design Institute of Australia confirming student membership of Phillip Zmood. Oct 3rd 1963.

my valentine - exhibition

2012-02-15T07:43:00.001+11:00

'my valentine' exhibition curated by Ian Wong at the Design Gallery Design Institute of Australia. February 2012.

my valentine - Exhibition introductory text

2012-02-14T21:19:00.000+11:00

Inspired by the fact that the pop icon the Olivetti Valentine typewriter was released on Valentines Day 1969 the exhibition opens on February 14th themed around passion.

Passion for industrial design, the passion of italians and the passion of collecting.

My Valentine celebrates the passion of italian industrial designers Mario Bellini, Aldo Magnielli, Marcello Nizzoli, Ettore Sottsass and Perry King in their practice of industrial design for Olivetti.

These machines were the ‘ipads’ of their era.

The latest technology in communcation and business equipment developed by Olivetti designers with a committment to outstanding industrial design.

These 20th century design classics were highly awarded with many winning the Compasso d’Oro award and they feature in the collections of museums including the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

The influence and evolution of the practice of industrial design on the object is boldly demonstrated in these items. We see the application and development of new materials technology, the transistion from pure mechanical machines through electromechanical to electronic devices. The simple action of the keystroke changes from the highly physical and mechanical to the abstract and the sensual. Machine control evolves from the lever, gear and sprocket to the button, dial and switch. Forms once flowing sculptural skins over mechanisms evolve into the pure geometry of the circle, square and triangle.

The design processes developed by designers for Olivetti were documented and published influencing the practice of industrial design the world over. In the mid 1980s industrial design students at RMIT University here in Melbourne studied the design practices of designers like Mario Bellini first hand. Lecturer Dario de Dianna worked with Bellini and shared techniques like ‘foam modelling’ that would significantly influence the practice of many of our current generation of award winning Australian industrial designers.

my valentine - Curated by RMIT industrial design alumnus Ian Wong

The exhibition also celebrates a passion for collecting that began over twenty years ago with a single dusty Valentine typewriter purchased for $25 in Williamstown and now thanks to ebay numbers 37 typewriters and calculators.

Consider as you swipe your finger across an ipad touch screen that it is an evolution of device control that has it's origins in these 20th century design classics.

Ian Wong
RMIT University

'my valentine' - Exhibition introduction by curator Ian Wong.

my valentine - macmat on show

2012-02-14T14:41:00.002+11:00

Macmat featured at 'my valentine' exhibition today as part of a Facebook promotion for the exhibition of olivetti classics. The product is a very successful outcome from the 4th year studio I supervised last year and today we discussed further the prospects of launching the product worldwide.

Macmat designed by final year RMIT industrial design student Diana Sari Dewi is promoted at 'my valentine' exhibition.

Lettera 36 - my valentine exhibition

2012-02-13T20:52:00.000+11:00

The Lettera 36 typewriter designed by Ettore Sottsass is a late inclusion in the exhibition opening tomorrow - 'my valentine' at the Design Gallery at the Design Institute of Australia, Level 1, 175 Collins Street, Melbourne. February 14th -24th. 10am-4pm Weekdays.

This typewriter was stored in Shepparton so I was not sure I could include it but it arrived today so I am delighted to include it. This more serious work from Ettore Sottsass balances the 'pop' status and celebrity of the Valetine. Designed around the same time the Lettera 36 is an electric portable typewriter.

'my valentine exhibition' features the Lettera 36 typewriter designed by Ettore Sottsass 1970.

my valentine - Competition

2012-02-12T09:52:00.001+11:00

Win a unique Valentines Day gift for the love in your life.

Ten lucky romantics will win one heart shaped macaroon made with the new 'macmat' designed by RMIT University industrial design student Diana Sari Dewi. Each winner will also receive a single red rose.

RMIT University is a University of Design and Technology..... we love design.
Join us in celebrating the design innovation of the 'macmat' and the exhibition 'my valentine' by PhD candidate Ian Wong on Valentines Day 2012.

Happy Valentines Day!

How to WIN.

Simply like the Facebook page ianwongresearch to be eligible to win.

To enter 'like' the post titled 'Enter Here - 'my valentine' competition.' on the ianwongresearch wall.

Winners will be announced Tuesday February 14th at 11.00am and advised by Facebook.

Attend the exhibition 'my valentine' at the Design Gallery Level 1, 175 Collins Street, Melbourne, between 1pm and 4pm on Valentines Day to collect your prize.

Winners must be able to attend the exhibition 'my valentine' to collect their prize.

Macmat designed by industrial designer Diana Sari Dewi.

my valentine - starting something

2012-02-11T21:05:00.002+11:00

Once upon a time.... the beginning of a story.

The story of my Olivetti collection started in about 1992 with a dusty red Olivetti Valentine typewriter discovered hidden from view in a second hand shop in Williamstown, Victoria. Why was I interested? What was the fascination?

my valentine - still with the original price tag this Olivetti Valentine is treasured by curator Ian Wong.

My studies in industrial design at RMIT University had provided me with an appreciation of the history of Industrial Design and through the influence of Elivio Bonollo the Italians in particular were well known to me. Elivio ran the industrial design course during my studies from 1982-1985. Elivio invited Italian designer Roberto Lucci to lecture twice during my studies. The second time, 1984 I think, we did a shoe project which I enjoyed very much. Given what Nike and others have done in this area since 1984, this was well before it's time as a project for industrial design students. I have spoken before of the Memphis interest of my lecturer Dean Holmes so Ettore Sottsass I knew about.

Olivetti Valentine typewriter purchased for in 1988 for $25 by curator Ian Wong.

I was also extremely fortunate to have Dario de Dianna as my lecturer in second and third year at RMIT. Dario had worked with Mario Bellini on Olivetti products. I can still see the Logos 75B calculator on the shelf in his office in 2B2. I had the opportunity during my studies to work part time for Dario on lighting projects.

Collecting has been in my blood since a young child so it was not unusual for me to be foraging about the store in Williamstown, but as I have explained above, when the bright red abs case with rubber straps came into view the eyes lit up and the deal was done. $25.00..... a bargain.

This first valentine was the beginning and with a little help from ebay the collection now numbers 37 Olivetti typewriters and calculators.

Curator Ian Wong with a Valentine Typewriter during setup for the up coming exhibition - my valentine at the Design Gallery February 14th-24th

my valentine - Design Gallery Exhibition

2012-02-08T16:32:00.000+11:00

Inspired by the passionate work by industrial designers for Olivetti, the Design Institute of Australia Design Gallery presents "my valentine" to coincide with celebrations for Valentine's Day 2012. The classic red valentine typewriter designed by Ettore Sottsass and Perry King in 1969 is featured in Design Museum collections the world over including the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art

Iconic products from the 20th century designed by Mario Bellini, Ettore Sottsass, Marcello Nizzoli, Perry King, and Aldo Magnielli feature in this exhibition curated by RMIT University PhD candidate Ian Wong.

The exhibition offers a rare opportunity to see these classic designed products often featured in magazine and design publications on public display in Melbourne.

my valentine - February 14th - 24th

Design Gallery

10am-4pm Monday-Friday

Design Institute of Australia

Level 1 - 175 Collins Street

dia.org.au

'my valentine' exhibition. Design Gallery Design Institute of Australia. February 2012.

'my valentine' exhibition curated by Ian Wong

Olivetti Divisumma 28 featured in 'my valentine' exhibition at the Design Gallery.

Olivetti ETP55 designed by Mario Bellini.

Olivetti Ico MP1 portable typewriter.

Valentine typewriter designed by Ettore Sottsass and Perry King 1969.

Olivetti Divisumma 18 calculator designed by Mario Bellini

The Mario Bellini designed Divisumma 28, one of nine iconic 20th century products on display in my valentine at the Design Gallery February 14th-28th.

Olivetti Lettera 22 designed by Marcello Nizzoli.

Olivetti MP1 designed by Aldo Magnielli

Olivetti ETP55 designed by Mario Bellini

Lettera 12 typewriter designed by Mario Bellini.

Yamaha TC-800 tape deck designed by Mario Bellini

Olivetti Logos 58 calculator designed by Mario Bellini

Baby Capsule - Australian Design Icon

2012-02-06T22:38:00.000+11:00

The Britax Safe n Sound baby capsule has been in production for close to thirty years and is still manufactured in Sunshine Victoria.

This brochure was produced in 1984 when the product was first launched and represents the beginning of an Australian Design Icon. Millions of Australians have travelled safely home from hospital in this iconic product designed by RMIT industrial design alumni Robert Pataki and Phillip Slattery.

Original brochure from 1984 for the Australian design icon the Safe n Sound baby capsule.

Australian design icon the Safe n Sound baby capsule designed by industrial designers Robert Pataki and Phillip Slattery.

Kjell Grant - Melbourne Movement

2012-02-03T18:29:00.001+11:00

RMIT University Professor Kjell Grant founded Melbourne Movement in 1999 and his enthusiasm in 2012 is just as great.

The interest from students has also been as strong with invitations to join Melbourne Movement for Milan drawing to a conclusion.

Today Kjell discussed with a great deal of satisfaction and pride the careers of the many members who have benefited from the start that Melbourne Movement has provided. It is obvious that Kjell is enormously proud of his role in mentoring and encouraging design talent in Melbourne.

President of Melbourne Movement Professor Kjell Grant.

Designers like James Hannon Tan who was featured in DQ magazine Issue 41 recently have benefited directly from the experience Kjell brings to the table on every trip to Milan. Kjell recalls the contacts and opportunities he was able to establish for members like James and others with international manufactures like Alessi.

2001 Portfolio of Melbourne Movement works featuring the Clamp Leg Table by RMIT alumnus James Hannon Tan.

Clamp Leg Table (2001) designed by Melbourne Movement member James Hannon Tan.

www.jimhannontan.com

Get your Wacom Inkling - In stock now.

2012-02-03T15:39:00.001+11:00

If you are looking for a Wacom Inkling contact RMIT Computers Now. They are a bit like hen's teeth at present.

Computers Now RMIT : Apple Authorised Campus Store
Building 10, Level 4, Room 17RMIT Campus,
Swanston StreetMelbourne VIC 3001
P: 03 9654 8111
F: 03 9654 8911

Wacom Inkling in stock at RMIT Computers now. Hurry!
Bernie Walsh demonstrating the Wacom Inkling in the RMIT Wacom Lab.

Marc Pascal - Paff Clock

2012-02-01T07:45:00.000+11:00

RMIT industrial design alumnus Marc Pascal designed the Paff clock in 1996.

Paff clock designed by RMIT industrial design alumnus Marc Pascal.

Sketching Chess - Traditions

2012-01-31T08:59:00.000+11:00

Chess is an age old traditional game but children today can benefit from the strategic thinking necessary to play. Industrial design sketching skills are also traditional but I believe are as important as ever.

In the communications course at RMIT Industrial Design the fundamentals of sketching and visualisation are encouraged and developed responding to industry feedback that these skills remain vital. Students continue to build capacity with digital tools but figure drawing and rapid visualisation of concepts are key course components. The work shown is from first year Semester 1 student Glen Tay.

Sketching existing common chess pieces develops perspective, scale, proportion and line quality.

Figure and context are vital in presentations of original concepts.

Wacom and sketchbook pro hand visuals build form, surface, tone, light, and color skills and appreciation.

CAD modelling of final design of chess set.

Shepherd Castor - Patented innovation

2012-01-30T17:17:00.000+11:00

George Shepherd was a wealthy Melbourne oil company executive who regularly played bridge with his society chums, sitting around in big, comfy, club sofa chairs. He found that the tiny castor wheels fitted to the chairs made them very hard to move. So from 1934 until 1939 Shepherd researched the physics of existing castors and proposed a new type of wheel that swivelled on an angled axle. Shepherd castors were patented and made under licence in 17 countries and an estimated 300 million have been sold.

A recent cleanup at the family shed in Shepparton produced these die cast original Shepherd castors for my collection. The patent numbers for Great Britain, United Stated of America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand were cast into the parts.

The Shepherd Castor featured in the exhibition 175 Years of Design in Victoria curated by Ian Wong.

Australian inventions. Patented Shepherd caster designed by George Shepherd.

Australian innovation - the patented Shepherd caster designed in Victoria by George Shepherd.

Patent drawing for the Australian innovation the Shepherd Castor.

Car sketching masterclass - Bernie Walsh

2012-01-30T08:58:00.000+11:00

Bernie Walsh - Masterclasses in car sketching will be held during February. Contact details below.

Bernie Walsh Masterclasses - February 2012.

http://berniewalsh.blogspot.com

Tim Peacocke - Wilco Industrial Switchgear

2012-01-28T12:17:00.000+11:00

The Wilco "A Series' of industrial switchgear was a significant example of the value of industrial design at the time and more importantly the product range has proven to be a major success over the past thirty years. Designed by RMIT industrial design alumnus Tim Peacocke in the early 1980s it is a classic industrial design project success story.

Wilco's technical manager Michael Lumley was responsible for the project and briefed the young and talented Peacocke on the project that would result in a system of 34 castings.

The project was featured in issue 3 of 'Design World" November 1983 and the concept sketches, simple geometric design and bold graphic blue and yellow color scheme inspired us all as students.

This year marks thirty years of production for the 'A Series' range. The Wilco 'A Series' industrial switchgear were featured in the exhibition STILL09 celebrating industrial design that has endured curated by Ian Wong.

Wilco 'A Series' industrial switchgear designed by RMIT industrial design alumnus Tim Peacocke.

Current Wilco Industrial Switchgear brochure featuring the 'A Series' designed by industrial designer Tim Peacocke 1982.

Design World magazine Issue 3 November 1983 featuring Wilco 'A Series' industrial switchgear.

AWA P4 Television - Archive Video

2012-01-27T08:48:00.000+11:00

The AWA P4 17inch television design by William Moody featured in the recent ORANGE- Living in the 70s exhibition at the Design Gallery of the Design Institute of Australia. A rare insight is provided into the history of Australian industrial design and in particular the AWA P4 television project in the film produced by the Industrial Design Council of Australia in the early 1970s.

AWA P4 17 inch black & white television featured in the ORANGE - Living in the 70s exhibition at the Design Institute of Australia Design Gallery curated by Ian Wong.

Concept sketch for AWA P4 television set designed by industrial designer William Moody.

The film shows a briefing meeting, preliminary layout sketches, technical layouts, model making, detailing, and production specification overseen by industrial designer William Moody.

The garden sprinkler by Rosenfeld and Geradin is featured as well as the Bill Iggulden Studio K task lamp for Planet, Regis glasses by Edward Kayser, and the Caroma bath stool.

Archive film from the 1960s produced by the Industrial Design Council of Australia.

AWA 17" television designed by industrial designer William moody was awarded the 1968 Sebel Design Merit Award.

William Moody first worked as an industrial designer at GMH commencing in 1954 and later was given the opportunity to establish a styling department at British Motor Corporation in Sydney. In 1960 he accepted a position as industrial design manager for Amalgamated Wireless Australasia.

Studio K task lamp designed by industrial designer Bill Iggulden.

Waterbird sprinkler designed by pioneering Australian industrial design consultancy Rosenfeld and Gherardin for Ogden Industries. 1964.

Australian iconic industrial design the Regis glassware range by RMIT alumnus Edward Kayer.

Australia Day - World class innovation

2012-01-26T12:45:00.000+11:00

The cochlear "bionic ear" was developed in Melbourne by Professor Graeme Clark in 1978. Founded in 1981 Cochlear Limited is Australian based and was featured in an article in The Age this week profiling our most successful companies in the lead up to Australia Day January 26th. More than 200,000 individuals worldwide have received a cochlear implant to restore hearing. Reading the Age article prompted this post but is was the coincidence of standing in a train alongside a man with two Nucleus 5 implants yesterday that sealed it.

I recall whilst a student at RMIT industrial design back in 1982 the involvement of my lecturer Graham Reade in early development work of the bionic ear. Thirty years on Mark Johnson who was also at RMIT industrial design in 1982 is working with Cochlear Limited on R&D. Mark is a director of Outerspace Design in Richmond and the recipient link device is a recent product designed by this award winning studio. The recipent link is an in house research tool that measures hearing aid implant and patient skin characteristics to improve future implant performance.

Cochlear recipient link device designed by award winning industrial design consultancy Outerspace Design.

RMIT alumnus industrial designer Mark Armstrong and his studio Blue Sky Design have been awarded both the Australian Design Award and the Red Dot award for the Nucleus 5 implant designed for Cochlear.

Award winning Nucleus 5 implant designed by Blue Sky Design.

www.outerspacedesign.com

www.blueskydesigngroup.com.au

Max Wolff - Lincoln

2012-01-25T22:15:00.000+11:00

Max Wolff grew up in Melbourne. He now lives the dream of many as Design Director for the iconic US automotive brand Lincoln. Brett Saraghi and his design consultancy IDEA in Nicholson Street Carlton offered a young Max the opportunity to live his dream. His studies in industrial design at Monash University and his success with the team at Holden Design provided the grounding for his new position at Lincoln. Lincoln have recently featured Max in a series of YouTube videos. Enjoy!

Australian industrial designer Max Wolff - Lincoln Design Director.

Monash University Industrial Design Alumnus Max Wolf - Lincoln Design Director

I studied with Brett Saraghi at RMIT Industrial Design and it was only recently that I watched the following video that profiles his role is fostering Max's career.

Designer People - Max Wolff from Ovation TV

Sydney Trip - RMIT Industrial Design Archives

2012-01-25T16:25:00.000+11:00

RMIT Industrial Design alumni from the early 1990's will remember this excursion to Sydney to visit the recently opened Powerhouse Museum. Staff on the trip included course coordinator Harold Medd, Ian Wong, David Woodgrove, and Paul Pyle. Memory has faded for some of the faces. Those I see more regularly are easier to spot. Peter Wilson - Melbourne Museum, Justin McCarthy, Luke Martin - Design + Industry, Peter Kneebone, Mark Sehler, Ben Hunt and Nick O'Loughlan - Sunbeam.

RMIT Industrial Design 1991-92 era. Group photo in Canberra on Sydney trip.

RMIT Design Hub - Update

2012-01-24T22:58:00.000+11:00

The RMIT Design Hub has taken shape at the top of Swanston Street. Exciting times for design in Victoria in 2012.

RMIT Design Hub - RMIT University

RMIT Design Hub detail of external facia.

I spy ID

2012-01-19T23:23:00.000+11:00

Encouraged by the positive reaction to my last post about products spied on my New Zealand trip I have created a Facebook page to offer all who might be interested to play I Spy ID as you travel the world. I am not certain which tool is best suited to curating this idea but I have begun with a facebook page which I invite you to like and join in.

Where are all the products we design? Who is using them? Post images from your travels of products designed by designers you know.

I spy ID Facebook page here.

http://ispyid.tumblr.com/

Across the Tasman - I spy.

2012-01-18T19:05:00.000+11:00

Victoria has proudly exported products for more than 175 years. Industrial designers from Victoria have designed products manufactured for export from all over Australia.

These are a few products I spied by local designers on just a short visit to New Zealand recently.

Keep Cups designed by Cobalt Niche at Auckland Museum Shop.

Willow Little Bitty bin designed by David Flynn at Bayly Design used for clothes pegs at Lake Taupo bach.

Holden VE Commodore hire car at Lake Taupo

PED traffic button design by Neilsen Design outside Auckland University.

Sebel Intregra chair by Victorian born industrial design pioneer Charles Furey.

Tamaki Maori Village, Roturua.

Charles Furey's iconic Integra chair for Harry Sebel inside the Wharenui - The Sacred Meeting House, Tamaki Maori Village, Roturua.

Trusty Ron Rosenfeld designed Vulcan Conray heater at Lake Taupo bach.

Visitor Centre at Waitomo Glow Worm Caves.

Caroma product at the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves.

Interior Auckland Museum foyer.

Caroma product at Auckland Museum.

Classic Wiltshire Bar B Mate - Lake Taupo breakfast.

Silvan New Zealand - PasturePak

2012-01-17T22:01:00.000+11:00

New Zealand has a lot of sheep and a lot of cows that eat a huge amount of pasture. The Silvan 600L and 800L PasturePak linkage sprayers are ideal for New Zealand farming applications and in particular for the maintenance of quality pasture.

The current PasturePak was designed whilst I was design manager at Outerspace Design with the team including Simon Kooymans.

Silvan PasturePak linkage sprayer.

RMIT alumnus industrial designer Ian Wong pictured at Silvan dealer in Taumarunui, New Zealand with the PasturePak linkage sprayer. Silvan Australia exports a comprehensive range of products designed in Victoria by Mr Wong.

Australian designed Silvan PasturePak linkage sprayer.

Designed by ejo design in 2007 the website for Silvan New Zealand featured the 50 litre SpotPak, the 400 litre DieselPak, and the 600 litre PasturePak designed by industrial designer Ian Wong.

Segway - Single Person Transport

2012-01-16T16:06:00.000+11:00

Research can be a lot of fun!

The Segway single person transport vehicles are finding many applications including during the drinks breaks in our cricket. I could not pass the opportunity to test drive one whilst in New Zealand recently.

Technology like this is the platform for concept vehicles like Ryan Fonceca's RMIT industrial design project in my studio in 2011 and the Holden designed EN-V.

RMIT industrial design student Ryan Fonceca's single person concept vehicle.

GM Holden designed EN-V concept car.

http://www.segway.com

Wilhelm Wagenfeld - Bauhaus

2012-01-15T13:30:00.000+11:00

Wilhelm Wagenfeld is a celebrated german industrial designer from the Bauhaus. He also happens to be the grandfather of my colleague and good friend at RMIT University Malte Wagenfeld. Malte and I studied industrial design together and his grandfathers career was often referenced during our studies. I have long sought one of his famous lamps for my collection. Whilst visiting the Auckland Museum it was wonderful to see his tea set on permanent display in the design and decorative arts section.

Tea set designed by Wilhelm Wagenfeld. Bauhaus. Germany

Label for Tea Set designed by Wilhelm Wagenfeld. Auckland Museum.

Lamp designed by industrial designer Wilhelm Wagenfeld.

New Zealand Bumble Bee - Chevy Camaro

2012-01-15T12:55:00.000+11:00

An encounter with a bumble bee of the insect variety was something I had anticipated whilst visiting New Zealand as this species of bee is not found in mainland Australia. Imagine my delight when the first bumble bee I spied was in fact a four wheeled version Chevy Camaro on the streets of Auckland. This species of bumble bee was bread in the studios of GM Holden in Melbourne and like the flying variety is not common in Victoria. This Bumble Bee was attracting a lot of attention while standing still. The yellow VE Holden Commodore hire car photographed at our bach in Lake Taupo is the GM Zeta platform the Camaro is built on. At the time of the Camaro Concept Car launch - GM global design executive Tony Stolfo said Camaro was a prime example of GM's ability to successfully work across continents on global projects. "Chevrolet Camaro's engineering and design work is happening right here, right now, at Fishermans Bend." Mr Stolfo said. "We are very excited about helping style the look and developing the thrilling drive performance that are hallmarks of this iconic nameplate."

The following day I did encounter New Zealand bumble bees on the lawn outside the Auckland Museum.

Chevy Camaro Bumble Bee.

Chevy Camaro Bumble Bee in Auckland New Zealand.

Holden Commodore hire car at Lake Taupo bach.

New Zealand bumble bee.

Auckland Museum.

Michael Smythe - New Zealand by Design

2012-01-14T17:11:00.000+11:00

Whilst in Auckland I had the pleasure of catching up with New Zealand industrial designer and author Michael Smythe and his partner Helen Schamroth. It was a delight to discuss our shared interest in local design history and to gain some insight into the long and winding road to publication. Michael inscribed my copy of his new book with a challenge that is similar to the one he received during a lunch time meeting with Peter Haythornthwaite many years ago (see back story of Michael's book).

Released recently New Zealand by Design comprehensively documents the history of New Zealand product design.

New Zealand industrial designer and author Michael Smythe signs a copy of his new book New Zealand by Design for PhD candidate Ian Wong.

In Melbourne get your copy at your local bookstore. Brunswick Street Bookstore in Fitzroy and the Coventry Bookstore in South Melbourne currently have copies.

To obtain a signed and inscribed copy from the author simply order through www.designarc.org.nz –cost NZ$60 for the book plus NZ$15 freight.

New Zealand by Design by Michael Smythe.

New Zealand - Peter Haythornthwaite

2012-01-04T20:27:00.000+11:00

On the eve of a trip to New Zealand it seemed appropriate to post about one of my treasured design objects acquired at the very beginning of my career.

Networking and contacts are critical in a design career so it was with delight that I chose the Peter Haythornthwaite designed "Arti-fact-s" Flip File to record my early career contacts. The all black iconic A100 was purchased from the original R.G Madden store in Toorak Road, South Yarra, in mid 1986. I had not long started at John Westwood Design Associates and could now afford some designer luxuries.

The "Arti-fact-s" range was of particular interest because Peter had presented a lecture at RMIT on his practice - Peter Haythornthwaite Design whilst I was a student and the images presented on MerryWare brushes are still vivid in my mind. The iconic A100 Flip File is classic pure geometry and also included the designers name engraved on the product.

The image shows my card entry in the early nineties for RMAX with the contact Gary Haywood. Note the RMAX telephone number was recorded before the "9" prefix changes after 1994 all mobile numbers started with 018. Many will know Gary from his role with Design Victoria but we first met when I was design manager at Silvan. RMAX collaborated on an innovative tooling project with very early cnc wire cutting of urethane foam cut from CADKEY dxf files.

Gary has recently worked with Peter in a Design Victoria program based on the successful NZ "Better by Design" - it is a small world.

Peter Haythornthwaite designed A100 Flip File for "Arti-fact-s"

Iconic A100 Flip File for "Arti-fact-s" by industrial designer Peter Haythornthwaite.

Marc Newson - Qantas

2012-01-03T19:52:00.000+11:00

At this time of year we often have house guests as families gather for the festive and holiday seasons. Our recent house guest was quite disturbed by my interest his luggage as he prepared to depart. The Marc Newson designed Qantas luggage tag had caught my eye and his choice of red luggage made an appealing image.

Qantas luggage tag designed by Australian designer Marc Newson.

Dolphin Torch - Australian Design Classic

2012-01-01T14:38:00.000+11:00

The Dolphin Torch is an Australian classic design. Growing up in the country where outside was always "dark" the trusty dolphin would come in handy for locking up the chooks or even a game or torchlight 'tiggie'. The rugged durability of the design made it as popular as vegemite and the trusty blue healer. Designed primarily as a floating torch for boating and marine applications the Eveready Dolphin was for many years the largest selling torch in Australia.

Sydney industrial designer Paul Cockburn through his studio Design Field received the commission in the seventies to redesign this classic product. This project was critical in establishing Design Field as one of Austrialia's foremost industrial design consultancies. Born in Australia, Paul studied in London in the late 1960s returning to Sydney in 1970.

The yellow Dolphin version 2 has been in my family for at least thirty years and whilst we once had a pale blue version 1 this 70's orange one was acquired at an op shop recently for my collection.

Classic Australian design - the Eveready Dophin torch.

Iconic Australian design the Dolphin Torch.

Original Eveready Dolphin torch.

Orange original Eveready Doplhin torch (above) with yellow 1970s redesigned version 2 by Design Field.

Plan view of two versions of the classic Australian design the Dolphin torch by Eveready.

Marc Newson - Sydney NYE Fireworks 2011

2012-01-01T13:01:00.000+11:00

Sydney Fireworks New Years Eve 2011 by Marc Newson.

Sydney NYE Fireworks 2011. Mark Newson.
Click IMAGE to see more images. Copyright jak666

Sydney NYE Fireworks 2011. Mark Newson.

Click IMAGE to see more images. Copyright brambooth

Marc Newson - Sydney Fireworks

2011-12-31T11:17:00.000+11:00

As the hands of our clocks reach midnight tonight around the world we will celebrate the coming of a New Year. Concepts for clocks, watches and timepieces have often been on the drawing board of industrial designer Marc Newson, so it may well be that many of us will count down to the Sydney fireworks with one of Marc's pieces. This year however in Sydney and around the world via television images we will be treated to the latest Marc Newson project - the fireworks themselves.

Marc grew up in Sydney studying at the Sydney College of the Arts and was a young child when the Sydney Opera House was opened in 1973.

Marc has specified a strict colour palette of blue, violet, green and yellow but we will have to wait and see what his vision is for the iconic midnight harbour bridge effect.

Designer Marc Newson.

<a href="http://video.theaustralian.com.au/2178161021/NYE-fireworks-will-dare-you-to-dream">VIDEO: NYE fireworks will dare you to dream</a>

Video courtesy - The Australian.

Lockheed lounge designed by Marc Newson. 1986

IMAGE marcnewson.com

Pod Watch designed by Marc Newson. 1986

IMAGE marcnewson.com

Atmos 566 clock designed by Marc Newson. 2010

IMAGE marcnewson.com

Nike Zvezdochka Shoes designed by Marc Newson. 2001

IMAGE marcnewson.com

Gemini Grinders for Alessi designed by Marc Newson. 2001

IMAGE marcnewson.com

Qantas First Class lounge Sydney designed by Marc Newson.

IMAGE marcnewson.com

www.marcnewson.com

City of Melbourne Christmas Tree - Mother's Art

2011-12-23T17:35:00.000+11:00

Mother's Art Productions produced a huge variety of objects, sets and props over many years. The City of Melbourne Christmas Tree was just one of the huge number of projects but over many years it contributed to our celebrations of Christmas in Melbourne as it stood in the City Square on the corner of Collins and Swanston Streets.

City of Melbourne Christmas Tree - Mother's Art Productions

Ian Dryden - Christmas in Melbourne

2011-12-23T17:25:00.000+11:00

Industrial designer Ian Dryden's designs for innovative christmas decorations for Melbourne have been a feature of Christmas in the City for many years.

Bourke Street Mall with Christmas Decorations by Ian Dryden.

Christmas Stars in Melbourne by industrial designer Ian Dryden

Tooling for City of Melbourne Christmas Stars

Moulding process of City of Melbourne Christmas Stars.

Christmas Wishes 2011

2011-12-23T16:58:00.000+11:00

Wishing all a very Merry Christmas and a safe holiday season. I have enjoyed posting during 2011 and will continue my research, exhibitions and collecting in the New Year. Thank you to all who have dropped in and contributed to my research on the history of industrial design in Victoria.

Grant Featherston - Aristoc Scape Stool

2011-12-20T00:04:00.000+11:00

This Grant Featherston designed Scape stool is more likely to feature in our home at the kitchen bench than be stored in the collection but either way it is a welcome recent acquisition.

Grant Featherston Scape stool designed for Aristoc.

STILL09 Exhibition 2009 - Video

2011-12-09T16:24:00.000+11:00

The video record of my first exhibition related to my PhD - STILL09 has been uploaded to YouTube.

STILL09 Exhibition

STILL09 exhibition curated by Ian Wong

STILL09 exhibition curated by Ian Wong. Oil drip tray, and microwave egg poacher by industrial designer Jim Samartgis and Shell oil bottle by Phillip Slattery.

Studying Industrial Design at RMIT University

2011-12-07T22:49:00.000+11:00

I was looking at an old backup today and found this RMIT Industrial Design Course brochure from 1986. I assume this was put together by Elivio Bonollo, or perhaps Dean Holmes at the time.

Interviews for places for 2012 were held at RMIT over the past few days which made me think to write this post. I still remember I was interviewed by Gerry Mussett in room 2B1 and still have some of the items from my application folio.

This brochure from 1986 features Mark Wright's space man full size airbrush which was very famous amongst ID students at the time. This was done in Bernie Walsh's class. In my first year at RMIT the program installed full size automotive pinboards in room 2B2 and lecturers like Bernie and Chris Emmerson had students doing full size tape drawings and airbrush renderings. It was an amazing atmosphere, exactly like a professional design studio. We learnt so much watching the progress of senior students projects on the walls and in the workshop - 2B3.

Mark Wright went on to an automotive career at Ford but his spaceman we all remember well. Projects by Steve Martinuzzo - portable vacuum cleaner, Alphons van Maanen - digital music reader and my final year major project, a dialysis machine are featured on the rear of the brochure.

All the best to current applicants for all ID programs. It is a great career.

RMIT Industrial Design brochure 1986

Portable Vacuum Cleaner - Steven Martinuzzo

Digital Music Reader - Alphons van Maanen

Dialysis Machine - Ian Wong

Christmas Markets - Jim Samartgis

2011-12-05T16:41:00.000+11:00

Sunday Markets at Fed Square over the past two weekends have showcased a lot of local design and craft, with several items under our tree as a result. This luchbox designed in 1994 by industrial designer Jim Samartgis has found a new life as a cash box for a stall holder and was full of all our Christmas pennies. I was working with Jim on the edp Powerladder Series 2 around the time he designed this product range for TREND Australia.

Trend luchbox designed by Jim Samartgis.

Design registration drawing for lunchbox base designed by industrial designer Jim Samartgis.

Design registration drawings for lunchbox lid designed by industrial designer Jim Samartgis.

Concept sketch by Jim Samartgis for edp Series 2 Powerladder.

edp Powerladder Series 2 development by ejo. Industrial designers Jim Samartgis and Ian Wong.

RMIT Mace - RMIT Graduation Ceremony

2011-12-04T20:33:00.000+11:00

The exhibition is over, results are in and so students and their families will soon attend the RMIT Graduation Ceremony. It was an honour in 1992 to have the opportunity to design the mace for RMIT University.

RMIT Mace designed by industrial designer Ian Wong in 1992.

RMIT Ceremonial Mace designed by Ian Wong in 1992.

Mario Matkovich - Where is Mario?

2011-12-02T18:34:00.000+11:00

Driving along Beach Road around 3pm today listening to the cricket on the ABC I noticed the wind was up and a huge number of Kite flyers were out and about. My mind turned back to 1987 and to just one amazing designer....Mario Matkovich.

I was fortunate to work with some great designers at John Westwood Design Associates; John Westwood, Jack Magree, Phillip Slattery, and Ross Williams, ...... but the most unique and amazing was Mario.

Mario taught myself and Jack heaps as we watched his incredible productivity and creativity honed from years working for Philips Clayton CID. It was not however the skills and capability that Mario possessed that brought him to my mind today, but his love of the bay.

If the wind was up on Port Phillip Bay like it was today Mario would not be at his drawing board, he would be on the water. John, Ian Edgar, and Robert Pataki all employed Mario and I am sure all would share my thoughts with a smile....where is Mario?

Kites off Brighton Beach before "knock off" time.

Swinburne University alumnus industrial designer Mario Matkovich.

Philips television concept design by Mario Matkovich. 1970s

Philips television concept design detail by Mario Matkovich. 1980s

VCR concept design by industrial designer Mario Matkovich. 1980s

STILL - Yates 9 Litre Watering Can 21st birthday.

2011-12-01T08:49:00.000+11:00

The Yates 9 litre watering can designed in 1990 by Blue Sky Design featured in an article by Colin Wood on Australian design in Issue 28 of DesignWorld magazine. Despite our recent drought and huge competition it continues to demand shelf space after 21 years and was featured in the exhibition STILL09. Happy 21st!

Yates 9L watering can featured in Issue 28 DesignWorld magazine.

Yates 9L watering can designed by Blue Sky Design celebrates 21 years in store.

STILL09 Exhibition curated by Ian Wong

STILL09 exhibition timeline detail featuring Yates 9L watering can by Blue Sky Design.

Talking Design - Steven Crafti

2011-11-30T11:21:00.000+11:00

Talking Design is an itunes podcast series aiming to review design in all its facets - from architecture to industrial design, from fashion to automotive design.

Talking Design is produced by experienced writer Stephen Crafti and sponsored by RMIT.

Mr Crafti writes regularly on design for publications including The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian Financial Review, as well Indesign and Habitus magazines. He has also written more than 30 books on architecture and design.

"I'm interested in speaking to a host of designers from a broad range of design disciplines," Mr Crafti said.

"There are so many connections between the various design areas.

"RMIT is renowned as a global university of technology and design and this new podcast series is a perfect fit with the University's expertise."

Talking Design follows the successful launch of the Talking Business podcast series last year, sponsored by RMIT's College of Business.

Link to RMIT Talking Design Here.

Ian Wong

Robert Simeoni

Nixon, Tulloch and Fortey

Jarrod Haberfield

Michael Howard

Melanie Katsalidis

Chris Rack

Amy Muir

Johanna Preston

Suzanne Davies

Andrew Parr

Piero Gesualdi

Debbie Ryan

Stewart Russell

Professor Margaret Gardner

Tim O’Sullivan and Sioux Clark

Robyn Healy

Roger Leong

Michael O'Connell - The Lost Modernist

2011-11-29T22:24:00.000+11:00

Professor Harriet Edquist launched her latest book Michael O'Connell - The Lost Modernist tonight at Embiggen Books. Michael O'Connell's son Seamus flew into Australia this week from England to attend the book launch and opening of the Bendigo Art Gallery’s exhibition. He spoke providing insights into Michael and in particular he expressed his appreciation to Harriet for this recognition of his fathers career. He spoke about retrieving boxes of material from the attic and how he could almost see the project emerge in Harriet's eyes. I have had the pleasure of seeing this project evolve since 2009 whilst working with Harriet in the RMIT Design Archives.

Michael O'Connell The Lost Modernist by Harriet Edquist.

Professor Harriet Edquist launches her latest book on textile designer Michael O'Connell.

Professor Harriet Edquist signs a copy of her latest book Michael O'Connell - The Lost Modernist.

Book launch at Embiggen Books for Michael O'Connell - The Lost Modernist.

Michael O'Connell - The Lost Modernist by author Harriet Edquist designed by Sean Hogan of Trampoline.

PUBLISHED BY MELBOURNE BOOKS

http://www.melbournebooks.com.au/moc.html

Bendigo Art Gallery

THE LOST MODERNIST: MICHAEL O'CONNELL

26 November - 19 February

The lost modernist examines the work of British/Australian textile artist Michael O’Connell. Born in Cumbria in 1898 O’Connell moved to Australia in 1920. Over the following 17 years he became a critical member of the burgeoning Modernist movement in Melbourne.

O’Connell, a member of the Arts and Crafts Society of Melbourne, made an enormous contribution to the development of modernism in Australia through his innovative and dynamic textiles. On his return to the UK in 1937, O’Connell became a key figure in contemporary textile design, working with renowned textile manufacturer Heals. O’Connell was also commissioned to produce the celebrated Festival of Britain wall hangings in 1951, which are now in the collection of the Museum of English Rural Life, Reading.

The exhibition has been co-curated by Professor Harriet Edquist, Director, Design Archives RMIT University and Tansy Curtin, Senior Curator, Bendigo Art Gallery.

http://www.bendigoartgallery.com.au

Clement Meadmore - Stool

2011-11-28T23:27:00.000+11:00

RMIT University industrial design alumnus Clement Meadmore designed this simple stool in the 1950s in Melbourne. Sold under the brand MEADMORE ORIGINALS other products designed by Meadmore included; bar stools, tables, telephone tables a range of chairs. Product can be identified by the simple manufacturers stamp as shown.

Clement Meadmore stool.

Meadmore Originals stamp on the base of a Clement Meadmore designed stool.

Grant Featherston - Mitzi chair

2011-11-28T16:22:00.000+11:00

The Mitzi chair designed for Aristoc Industries by Grant Featherston in 1957 featured in the Exhibition 175 years of Design in Victoria. This burnt orange example was one of a set of four recently added to my collection.

Aristoc Industries Mitzi chair designed by Grant Featherston 1957.

EN-V Concept Car Video - GM Holden

2011-11-27T19:37:00.000+11:00

Latest video presentation and images of the GM EN-V concept car. GM Holden's advanced design studio in Fisherman's Bend Melbourne contributed to the global design project with the blue “Xiao” (Happy) concept.

General Motors Japan Ltd. is displaying the next-generation Chevrolet EN-V concept vehicle at the Tokyo Motor Show’s “Smart Mobility City 2011” from Nov. 30 through Dec.11. It is the first Asian showing of the concept under the Chevrolet brand.

Video featuring GM Holden advanced design team work on EN-V.

Fresh Orange - Collection grows

2011-11-27T00:23:00.000+11:00

The ORANGE exhibition has just closed but the collecting continues.

Award winning Wiltshire Staysharp Knife set designed by Bayly Design

The Decor Icicle insulated ice bowl designed by Tony Wolfenden. This ice bucket is one of the first products designed by Tony for Brian Davis.

Bessemer ash tray designed by Lionel Suttie.

Decor savory tray set including set with original packaging.

Crown Corning dish by Charles Furey.

Kambrook food and water heater in original packaging. This product is was of the first for Frank Bannigan.

Dean Benstead - O2 Pursuit Launch

2011-11-25T20:40:00.000+11:00

The O2 Pursuit air powered motorbike designed by RMIT industrial design student Dean Benstead was launched today at the Sydney Motorcycle and Scooter show.

O2 Pursuit air powered motorbike launch with designer Dean Benstead.
(Image http://www.motorcycleshow.com.au)

(Image courtesy https://twitter.com/#!/JodieRichmond)

Picture: Charles Brewer
NEWS.COM.AU Photo Here

Video of O2 Pursuit and interview with designer Dean Benstead.

http://media.theage.drive.com.au/cars/car-news/motorbike-that-runs-on-air-2797531.html

http://australianmotorcycleexpo.com.au

Ed Linacre - James Dyson Award Winner 2011

2011-11-24T17:52:00.000+11:00

Congratulations to Swinburne University industrial design graduate Ed Linacre for his success in winning the James Dyson Award for 2011. Brilliant!

Industrial designer Ed Linacre.

GOTYA Awards Launch - Design Education Practice Group

2011-11-24T16:19:00.000+11:00

The Design Institute of Australia & DIA VIC / TAS Design Education Practice Group will launch the 2011 VIC / TAS Graduate of The Year Awards program on Thursday 8th December at Donkey Wheel House. The launch will feature a presentation by guest speaker Ed Linacre - winner 2011 James Dyson Award & 2010 GOTYA Industrial Design.

The results of ED (DIA Student Council) Design Wrap will also be on view.
Thursday 8th December
6.30 - 8.30pm
Donkey Wheel House
673 Bourke Street Melbourne
DIA VIC/TAS Graduate of The Year Awards 2011
RSVP by Monday 5th December - http://www.trybooking.com/17968

The GOTYA program is open to any student enrolled in a recognised degree or diploma course in their graduating year at a participating VIC / TAS educational institution.

GOTYA award winner 2010 Ed Linacre. (Image courtesy DIA)

DIA story on Ed Linacre here.

More links to interviews with Ed Linacre here and here

Sir George Cox - Design Gallery visit

2011-11-23T22:03:00.000+11:00

Eminent UK design policy expert and past Chairman of the UK Design Council, Sir George Cox visited the Design Gallery at the Design Institute of Australia whilst in Melbourne today. The AWA P4 17inch b&w television designed by William Moody is part of the permanent collection in the Powerhouse Museum and is just one of the many orange products featured in the current exhibition ORANGE curated by Ian Wong.

Sir George Cox discusses Australian design with Hall of Fame designer Geoff Fitzpatrick and curator Ian Wong whilst visiting the Design Gallery and viewing the current exhibition ORANGE.

Powerhouse Museum AWA P4 item link here.

Kjell Grant - Museum of Modern Art Permanent Collection

2011-11-23T13:33:00.000+11:00

Kjell Grant and I often chat because our offices have been next to each other for the past four years. Today we had a great chat about Melbourne Movement and his early career work for Stanford University with Roy Grounds, the ceremonial furniture for Monash University and a lot about the commission for Montreal Expo 67 with Robin Boyd. Kjell's face lights up as he pays tribute to the craftsmen who he had the pleasure to work with on projects like the Montreal Chair which is in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art, New York and the Powerhouse Museum. "They were bloody good.....". It occurred to me as I sat in this iconic chair that I had not seen before an image of Kjell with his most notable work. He kindly agreed to my request for an image.

Designer Kjell Grant with the iconic Montreal Chair designed for Montreal Expo 67.

http://www.melbournemovement.com/

Powerhouse Museum link here.

Murray Camens - Philips Roller Radio design icon.

2011-11-22T20:58:00.000+11:00

Murray Camens studied industrial design in South Australia before following his career to London. Murray first worked for Conran before gaining a position with Philips in Eindhoven.

I met Murray in 2010 at his office in Amsterdam during my PhD research into Philips CID in Melbourne. The iconic Roller Radio was often a feature of my lectures to students on design practice so I was delighted to learn of the Australian connection. It has taken over twelve months but I have recently added a bright yellow Roller Radio to my collection.

Iconic Roller Radio by industrial designers Murray Camens, Graham Hinde and Bob Vranken

Industrial designer Murray Camens.

Text below from an interview with Robert Blaich. Here

In the mid 1980′s a Philips Consumer Electronics marketing survey revealed that by the age of 20 brand loyalties are already well established. The study also had some bad news for Philips. It documented that young people in Europe considered Philips Consumer Electronics products as stodgy and uninteresting to young people and that they preferred Japanese products. A Youth Task Force was established to study the problem and set the course for action.
As a member of the Task Force I proposed that we concentrate on the “Life Style” of the Youth” (A new term at the time) and we put forth a new design of a radio-cassette recorder called the “Roller”

The design was based on a concept by a young English Designer Graham Hinde (who’s in practice called GRO Design in Eindhoven, The Netherlands). Together with designers Murray Camens and Bob Vranken the idea was developed and Philips launched it with much fanfare. It caught the fancy of young people in Europe and was very successful. The “Roller” has been celebrated in design award competitions and was featured in articles about product design trends. It became a “Design Icon”. The “Roller” was also the spark for a full scale program called “Moving Sound” The program was designed to capture the hearts and minds and lifelong loyalty of young people worldwide. “Moving Sound” was also a breakthrough for Philips in introducing a coordinated program of promotional materials . Design was the key element in driving the highly directed marketing and communications effort; Product Graphics, and Packaging design were the basis on which all subsequent sales displays, advertising and promotional material were developed. The term “Moving Sound” indicated that the radios were portable ( moveable) and that they Moved You (Emotionally)

From the “Moving Sound” program was conceived as a long term strategy in which successive generations of products, promotion and advertising would be launched. Each year a new “Moving Sound” series would be introduced, just as sportswear and other fashion products present new looks to the fashion conscious youth. The “Moving Sound” program had benefits not only to Electronics but to Philips image in general. ” Moving Sound” was in it’s fifth generation by 1991 and had sold millions of radios. The “Roller and Moving Sound” programs are excellent examples of a Design Led program. We did the basic research, designed the products, packaging and display materials and strongly influenced the advertising design. The designers themselves were young and multi-national ( English, Australian. American and Dutch)

Technology - Humaniod Military Robot developments

2011-11-21T17:58:00.001+11:00

RMIT Exhibition - Product Design

2011-11-21T12:55:00.000+11:00

RMIT Product Design program invite all to ...come meet the new circle of minds in design at the:

Product Design

Graduation Exhibition

6pm-8pm

Wednesday 23rd November
ECO Outdoors

422 Burnley Street

Richmond

Link to RMIT Product Design program here

Sherlock Kids Wheelbarrow - Sand pit project

2011-11-21T09:11:00.000+11:00

A sand pit project is often the term for a pet project, something pie in the sky that you don't expect will end up in production. It is where you might play as a designer.

The brief to design a high quality children's wheelbarrow for Australia's premium wheel barrow brand SHERLOCK was never a sand pit project.....it just had to end up there. Designing quality products for children's play and in particular outdoor play is particularly rewarding.

Silvan Australia CEO Michael Tricarico's brief to EJO design was to provide concepts for a premium children's wheelbarrow with innovative features and as a build your own experience for parents or grandparents. Features evolved like the easy grab handle that doubles as a hanging point and the front bumper that protects interior walls and is a foot so unit can be stored against a wall preserving floor space. Fasteners and assembly details were developed to ensure Santa would not be up all night Xmas night.

This project also assisted RMIT industrial design students to see an industry based project from concept to production with early concept sketches, mockup and prototypes shared with students as the project evolved.

The Sherlock kids wheel barrow has arrived for Xmas 2011.

AVAILABLE ON EBAY NOW FOR XMAS

Sherlock Kids wheelbarrow.

Sherlock Kids wheelbarrow designed by industrial designer Ian Wong

Catalogue product release for Sherlock kids wheelbarrow.

CAD render of early concept shared with RMIT students during product development.

Early 1:1 mockups to test ergonomics and proportions. Students at RMIT industrial design observed design practice first hand.

Assembly/Knock down kit details explored.

ORANGE Exhibition - Extended to November 25th

2011-11-20T12:49:00.000+11:00

ORANGE - Living in the 70s has been invited to remain at the Design Gallery for an extended period and will now close on November 25th.

Wiltshire Staysharp Knife designed by industrial designer Peter Bayly.

Wong's World - Creative origins

2011-11-20T12:19:00.000+11:00

I was asked recently about my background growing up in Shepparton and my early creative works. I have always considered my rural background an asset. It was great growing up in Shepp.

Working in my parent's business which had many diverse divisions from retail to manufacturing was a strong influence on my career. My appreciation of brand and identity was also formed at a young age seeing the family business logo used across building signage, paper bags, and even promotional key rings like the one I still have as a treasured memento.

Wong's World Shepparton

Research outcomes - RMIT University

2011-11-17T17:59:00.000+11:00

Congratulations to Phillip Zmood and Damian Lucaciu and all those alumni that feature in RMIT's most recent media production. Damian's taxi project was undertaken in my 4th year studio in 2008 and I have had the pleasure of curating Phillip's career in the 2010 exhibition Zmood - Designing Holdens at Melbourne Museum.

Phillip Zmood at RMIT with fellow Holden designer Bernie Walsh and PhD researcher Ian Wong.

Filming for RMIT media production with Phillip Zmood and Sebring Orange Monaro. Gabriel from the Monaro club responded to a request posted on this blog. I was delighted with the response from club members. This was also an excellent opportunity to collect additional material for my PhD research.

Post on Monaro campus visit here.

RMIT media production featuring industrial design alumni Phillip Zmood and Damian Lucaciu.

RMIT PhD researcher Ian Wong examines the Monaro wheel trim sketch by Phillip Zmood at the RMIT Design Archives

Inkling Demo - RMIT Wacom Lab by Bernie Walsh

2011-11-16T23:44:00.000+11:00

Bernie Walsh demonstrates the inkling in the RMIT Wacom Lab.

Inkling demo concept sketch by Bernie Walsh.

Concept sketching with wacom inkling. Results when imported inkling concept sketch into Autodesk Studio Designer were amazing.

berniewalsh.blogspot.com

Concept vehicle RMIT University 2011 - Industrial Design

2011-11-15T10:32:00.000+11:00

Single person transport concept vehicle by RMIT University student Ryan Fonceca.

Project supervised by automotive designer and RMIT alumnus Bernie Walsh and supported by Delineate and Autodesk. Ryan was also supported in 2010 though is CO-OP year at GM Australia as part of this highly successful industry program.

Ryan Fonceca video

Ryan Fonceca concept car images

More RMIT Industrial Design Major projects 2011 here.

Duperite - Dad's Day 1953

2011-11-13T17:26:00.000+11:00

The local Church Fete provided a jewel for my collection of Victorian designed products in the form of a set of carpet bias bowls. Piled amongst a huge array of discard toys from our consumer generation were these once treasured and still perfectly functional Duperite bowls. Dad's Day 1953 is written in biro on the box so these are almost sixty years old. Many of the imported toys sharing the stall were less than one year old. Note (Australiasia) in company name suggests how export orientated manufacturers were post war. Moulded Products (Australasia) Limited were plastics pioneers and these bowls were some of the earliest products manufactured by the company that would become Nylex.

Duperite brand Carpet Bias Bowls manufactured by Moulded Products (Australasia) Limited.

Kambrook - Under my nose.

2011-11-12T17:30:00.000+11:00

Helping a mate carry furniture up stairs will often result in a cold beer as thanks. In my case I was just happy to spot this Kambrook Drill tidy still in use on the veranda....I did also have the beer.

Designed for Kambrook, I assume by Robert Pataki Design, the tidy is just another example of the work of this studio in the mid 1980s. It is brilliant to find these items being used as intended by the designer some thirty years after the canson paper rendering done with white prismalo pencil, black pilot fineliner and pental sign pen, markers and pastel was untaped from the drawing board. Note the letraset graphic for the artwork "DRILL TIDY"

Kambrook Drill Tidy designed by Robert Pataki Design

ODO - Buro North

2011-11-12T10:54:00.000+11:00

ODO Cafe at the Black Rock clock tower on Beach Road is a very popular spot for a latte at any time but especially on a sunny Spring morning. While queueing for my coffee this morning who should appear but Soren Luckins. Soren is one of my students from industrial design at Swinburne University and had dropped in to say hi to ODO's owner Lucas Sproson, also a graduate from industrial design at Swinburne. ODO is one of Soren's design studio Buro North's early projects designing custom furniture and the interior.

ODO cafe Black Rock designed by industrial designer Soren Luckins

Buro North director Soren Luckins and ODO proprietor Lucas catch up for coffee.

Interior detail of ODO cafe by Buro North.

Cafe ODO

Cnr Beach Rd & Bluff Rd
Black Rock, VIC 3193

Phillip Zmood - Industrial Design Graduate Exhibition 2011

2011-11-11T22:21:00.000+11:00

RMIT industrial design alumnus Phillip Zmood visited the industrial design graduates exhibition today. Whilst studying industrial design at RMIT in the early 1960's Phillip won first prize in an international design competition for his concept car the Gannet 1000. He was awarded the John Storey Junior Scholarship and was also the recipient of the Die Casters Award. After graduating he started working at GM Holden in Melbourne in 1965 as a staff designer. He was promoted to assistant chief designer in 1966 and made significant contributions to the HQ sedan, wagon and coupe (Monaro), and was chief designer of the Torana studio from 1969 until 1978. After working in Germany at Opel as chief designer, Mr Zmood returned to Melbourne and, in 1983, was appointed as the first Australian Director of Design at GM Holden. Phillip is also a Hall of Fame member of the Design Institute of Australia.

Phillip showed particular interest in the work of Ryan Fonceca and his Single Person Transport vehicle that was supervised by RMIT lecturer Bernie Walsh. Phillip and Bernie worked together at Holden in the 1980s. Phillip encouraged Ryan to promote his concept for urban vehicles and congratulated him on his project outcomes.

RMIT alumnus and Design Institute of Australia Hall of Fame industrial designer Phillip Zmood congratulates Ryan Fonceca on his Single Person Transport vehicle concept.

Phillip Zmood and Ian Wong with the original drawing of the Gannet 1000.

Zmood - Designing Holdens exhibition Melbourne Museum 2010 curated by Ian Wong.

More RMIT Industrial Design Major projects 2011 here.

Tate Anson - Stretch

2011-11-11T00:30:00.000+11:00

RMIT Industrial Design Graduate Exhibition 2011

PROJECT: Stretch

DESIGNER: Tate Anson

More RMIT Industrial Design Major projects 2011 here.

RMIT Industrial Design Exhibition 2011

2011-11-10T12:36:00.000+11:00

RMIT Industrial Design Graduate Exhibition 2011
Product Design Studio
Lecturer: Ian Wong

RMIT Industrial Design Final Year Product Design Studio group: Dianna, Serena, Sam, Max, Rob, Tom, lecturer Ian Wong, Dimitri, Angelo, and Nathan. Absent: Paul, Serena, Carson and Ryan.

RMIT Industrial Design Exhibition 2011

Ryan Fonceca

Serena Chen

Diana Sari Dewi

Angelo Papageorgiou

Carson Tully

Dimitri Stronghilis

Jesslyn Salim

Lawrence Wong

Max Harper

Nathan Hollins

Paul Gilbert

Robert Brown

Sam Froud

Tom Carroll

Ryan Fonceca - Holden CO-OP program delivers.

2011-11-10T11:49:00.000+11:00

The Holden Co-op program provides RMIT students with the opportunity to work for one year at the Holden design studio at Fishermans Bend gaining experience across all facits of automotive design. Ryan Fonceca was very pleased to share his major project outcomes with Guy Burgoyne - Head of Advanced Design at Holden and Design Director Tony Stolfo and acknowlege the influence the year spent at Holden had on his project.

Ryan Fonceca celebrates his major project outcomes with Holden Advanced Design manager Guy Burgoyne and RMIT lecturer Bernie Walsh.

Co-op program participant Ryan Fonceca and GM Holden Design Director Tony Stolfo.

GM Holden Design Director and Ian Wong at RMIT Industrial Design Graduate Exhibition 2011

Holden Hurricane - Back to the future.

2011-11-10T11:02:00.000+11:00

Bernie Walsh has vivid memory of the orange metallic paint finish on the Holden Hurricane concept car that sat in engineering at Fishermans Bend during his time there as an automotive designer. The team at Holden has restored the concept car and the paint color "is spot on" Bernie remarked when he saw the Hurricane yesterday for the first time in over thirty years. The Hurricane represents the advanced thinking that automotive designers provide through future concept models and recent projects like the EN-V showcase the capability of the team at GM in Port Melbourne.

RMIT alumnus and industrial design lecturer Bernie Walsh and Tony Stolfo Design Director GM Australia seated in the restored Holden Hurricane concept car.

Holden designed EN-V

O-I Award - Cider bottle design presentation.

2011-11-10T00:37:00.000+11:00

Julian Ditchburn presented certificates and prizes to RMIT industrial design first year students at the graduate exhibition opening last night.

Dustin Bailey, Tommy Hew, and Justin Strong receive awards from O-I senior designer Julian Ditchburn.

Wacom Inkling test run by Bernie Walsh

2011-11-10T00:07:00.000+11:00

The inkling by Wacom was trialled by Bernie Walsh in the RMIT Wacom Lab today.

Bernie Walsh trialling the inkling from Wacom in the RMIT Wacom Lab.

Sketching with the Wacom Inkling in the RMIT Wacom Lab.

Original sketch by Bernie Walsh with inkling.

Uploaded inkling sketch showing layers recorded at left.

Future thinking - Graduates on the move into industry.

2011-11-09T01:47:00.000+11:00

See the future up close and personal at the RMIT Industrial Design Graduate Exhibition tonight. Wednesday November 9th - 6pm-9pm 440 Elizabeth Street. Level 5 Building 88. Industry ready and internationally focused the graduates from the industrial design program will lead us into a new and exciting future. Don't miss it!

Concept vehicle for single person transport designed by Ryan Fonceca.

Autodesk Alias presentation for single person transport designed by Ryan Fonceca.

More RMIT Industrial Design Major projects 2011 here.

Diana Sari Dewi - MacMat and QuickMix

2011-11-09T00:48:00.000+11:00

RMIT Industrial Design Graduate Exhibition 2011

PROJECT: MacMat and QuickMix

DESIGNER: Diana Sari Dewi

Working prototype of MacMat designed by final year industrial design student Diana Sari Dewi.

Love heart profile MacMat designed by Diana Sari Dewi.

Working prototype of QuickMix KitchenAid attachment designed by final year industrial design student Diana Sari Dewi to make baking macarons easier.

More RMIT Industrial Design Major projects 2011 here.

Max Harper - Ute

2011-11-08T13:41:00.000+11:00

RMIT Industrial Design Graduate Exhibition 2011

PROJECT: Ute
DESIGNER: Max Harper

Working prototype of Ute designed by final year industrial design student Max Harper.

More RMIT Industrial Design Major projects 2011 here.

Autodesk Alias - industry training

2011-11-08T08:57:00.000+11:00

RMIT University industrial design staff train on Alias. Ian Wong and Bernie Walsh recently received training provided by Autodesk on Alias and Showcase at Delineate. See more details and images at here.

Autodesk Alias training by RMIT lecturers Ian Wong and Bernie Walsh.

Inkling from Wacom has arrived at RMIT University

2011-11-07T23:37:00.000+11:00

The much anticipated Inkling from Wacom has arrived at RMIT University. The Wacom Lab at RMIT School of Architecture and Design is a world class facility providing the most up to date learning and teaching environment for industrial design. The introduction of the inkling in 2012 will further enhance the experience for students as they develop vital skills for tomorrow. "Students are very excited and so are our industry partners about the introduction of the inkling into the program" said Ian Wong - Communications Coordinator in the Industrial Design program at RMIT. "Inkling enables the hand sketching and idea generation we specialise in to be integrated into the Web 2.0 environment more efficiently"

Wacom Inkling arrives at RMIT Wacom Lab.

RMIT University Vice - Chancellor and President Professor Margaret Gardner, Communications Coordinator Ian Wong, and GM Holden Design Director Anthony Stolfo with students at the Wacom Lab opening 2010.

RMIT Wacom Lab combined with wikis and blogs and Autodesk Sketchbook Pro software delivers results for industrial design students. Lecturer and RMIT alumnus automotive designer Bernie Walsh teaching in the Wacom Lab with first year students. Lab features 20 Wacom 21UX tablets.

See outstanding examples of student work here

http://berniewalsh.blogspot.com

and here

http://ianwongresearch.blogspot.com/2011/10/o-i-glass-rmit-university-competition.html

www.rmit.edu.au

Robert Brown - Aquilly

2011-11-07T22:42:00.000+11:00

RMIT Industrial Design Graduate Exhibition 2011

PROJECT: Aquilly

DESIGNER: Robert Brown

Aquilly aquaponics pods designed by final year industrial design student Robert Brown.

Working prototype of Aquilly designed by Robert Brown.

More RMIT Industrial Design Major projects 2011 here.

Sam Froud - Click n Go

2011-11-07T18:03:00.001+11:00

RMIT Industrial Design Graduate Exhibition 2011

PROJECT: Click n Go

DESIGNER: Sam Froud

Click n Go cycling footwear attachment designed by final year industrial design student Sam Froud.

Prototype of Click n Go designed by Sam Froud.

More RMIT Industrial Design Major projects 2011 here.

Carson Tully - Stair Chair

2011-11-07T17:47:00.000+11:00

RMIT Industrial Design Graduate Exhibition 2011

PROJECT: StairCHAIR

DESIGNER: Carson Tully

StairCHAIR by final year industrial design student Carson Tully.

Working prototype of StairCHAIR by Carson Tully

More RMIT Industrial Design Major projects 2011 here.

Dimitri Stronghilis - Affinity lamp

2011-11-07T17:34:00.000+11:00

RMIT Industrial Design Graduate Exhibition 2011

PROJECT: Affinity Lamp

DESIGNER: Dimitri Stronghilis

Working prototype of Affinity lamp by Dimitri Stronghilis.

Affinity lamp designed by final year industrial design student Dimitri Stronghilis.

Affinity lamp designer Dimitri Stronghilis

Affinity lamp

More RMIT Industrial Design Major projects 2011 here.

Paul Gilbert - UNA

2011-11-07T17:07:00.000+11:00

RMIT Industrial Design Graduate Exhibition 2011

PROJECT: UNA

DESIGNER: Paul Gilbert

UNA space saving blender designed by final year industrial design student Paul Gilbert.

UNA range and packaging by Paul Gilbert.

More RMIT Industrial Design Major projects 2011 here.

Ian Edgar - Career

2011-11-07T15:59:00.000+11:00

My PhD research continues in earnest and today I was fortunate to interview at length award winning industrial designer Ian Edgar. Ian began working as an industrial designer at the age of 17 and has lost none of his passion for the career.

Award winning industrial designer Ian Edgar.