Tuesday, July 7, 2009

State of Design!

State of Design brand identity illustration by Qube Konstrukt and R-Co.

OK so I'm sure you all know that State of Design - Victoria's design festival is nearly upon us, running from July 15th - 25th. How exciting! But do you know what is even more exciting?

1) The Design Files is officially a 'media partner' of the festival - I am the official festival blogger!

2) I have 6 double-passes to give away to the Festival Opening Night Preview at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton on Wednesday July 15th, from 7.00pm! (Thankyou State of Design marketing team!)

If you want a double pass (tickets are worth $27.50 each and are strictly limited), leave me a comment at the end of this post. If more than 6 people comment, I will put all names in a hat and let you know tomorrow who gets 'em. Very high-tech competition procedures over here at The Design Files.

Personally I have a ridiculous itinery planned for the festival which includes 21 events (plus 6 more 'maybes') in 10 days and daily updates of course! Call me crazy. I will also be posting mini-interviews with many exciting Australian and international designers who are taking part in festival events!

But in the interests of everyone's sanity, I have shortlisted my top-5 festival highlights below. These are the things I am most excited about!

Lucy's top 5 State of Design shortlist!


Design Made Trade
Incorporating Designboom Mart - all the way from Italy!!!


Design Made Trade 2008 - beautiful hand-crafted homewares from Studio Sam

Remember I blogged this one last year? An accessible, low-tech trade fair aimed at showcasing Australia's smaller manufacturers, product designers, and designer makers... free to trade visitors, $10 to the public. BUT if you get one of the double passes mentioned above, this includes a special preview of Design Made Trade on the Wednesday night, before it's open to the public!

The highlight of Design Made Trade will be Designboom Mart, showcasing design from the hottest young international designers! Background info on Designboom Mart is here.

Designboom Mart in Tokyo last year

Design Made Trade - Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens.
Open 10am - 5pm daily from 16 - 19 July.
16 - 17 July - Trade only days - register here.
18 - 19 July - Public days - $10 entry, no registration required.

This is Not a Design Market


Melbourne loves a design market, and this one is sure to draw the crowds. Staged by Melbourne's own Bigger than Ten Bears (of Joost's Greenhouse fame), and the fabulous Moth Design (of Penthouse Mouse fame), there's no doubt this'll be a winner. Not to be missed!

This is not a Design Market - The Factory, 500 Latrobe St, Melbourne
Open 10.00am - 5.00pm Sunday July 19th (one day only!)

Design Capital Conference


UK designer Nipa Doshi and Partner Jonathan Levien in their London studio

An amazing line-up of Australian and International Speakers... I'll be there on day 2 (design day, Friday July 17th). I am so excited to hear UK superstar Nipa Doshi talk! If you don't know her work you must check out the Doshi Levien website. SO excited.

Doshi Levien's My Beautiful Backside couch and Principessa daybed (inspired by the Princess and the Pea, of course!). Both for Moroso.

Unfortunately Design Capital is a little pricey, but well worth it if you look at the international line-up! The upside is you can just buy a single-session ticket, which makes it a little more affordable and accessable than, say, AGIdeas! (No disrespect, but you know, who manages to get 3 days off work for these things?)

Design Capital Conference - BMW Edge, Federation Square,
Melbourne
16th - 17th July

Convergence at Yarra Lane

Convergence at Yarra Lane is a mysterious group installation in South Yarra... not sure exactly what it will entail, but the lineup of collaborating designers is extremely impressive and includes Julia deVille, Emma van Leest, Moth Design and Nick Rennie.

Oh, and Liane Rossler (of Dinosaur Designs) just tweeted(?) about it yesterday. So it must be good.

Convergence @ Yarra Lane - Yarra Lane, 9-19 Claremont st, South Yarra
18th July - 17th August, 24 hours


Design Dinner at Comme with Tim Yu from Cool Hunting

The Grand Room at Comme, Melbourne

This one is very posh. In Comme’s stunning Grand Room, Cool Hunting’s cultural curator, Tim Yu will lead a discussion on the current patterns and future trends in art, design, culture and technology around the world.

This'll accompany a three-course dinner, served with matching wines, to complement the discussion. $85 a head. Oooh la la.

ps) stay tuned with a mini-interview with Tim Yu here next week!

Design Dinner with Tim Yu - Comme, 7 Alfred Place, Melbourne

Thursday July 16th, 6.30 for a 7.00pm start
Bookings through Comme - +61 3 9631 4000

For more State of Design info, check out the website, download a catalogue, or pick one up from any number of affiliated venues around town. Also check out the State of Design lift-out in today's Herald Sun!

34 comments:

  1. Ooh, I'd love one of those tickets to the opening night! Congratulations on your 'official blogger' status too.

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  2. Thanks for the post I cant wait for state of design! And I will definitely check out the design market it looks amazing!

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  3. ooh, i'd love one of the double passes!

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  4. I would love to get to opening night! :)

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  5. Ooh yay! I would love a ticket please! ;)

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  6. ahem...comment!!!
    I went through the online festival guide to see when the 'designs on toast' series was to be - but found no mention... I hope they still do as each year its a festival highlight for moi.

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  7. oooh i want to come, but thats just because i think it will be fun and want to hang out with you. so you know, if real propper design people want to go also you can take my name out of the hat and i'll just find some other way to hang out with you soon xx

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  8. Gareth and I are rather looking forward to the opening night, you will have to come and say hello!

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  9. Hello! I would love tickets too! Sounds like a great night, bring on the creativity! x

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  10. Hello! I would also love tickets to the opening night! Bring on the creativity! x I love The Design Files x

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  11. i'm a little bit excited about this years festival, the design made trade looks wonderful!

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  12. Can't wait for DesignBoom mart, getting tired of the usual design market attendees. Can't wait for all the festival posts. Loving it.

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  13. LUCKY bums..I envy all things Melbourne right now. have an amazing time. Looking forward to reading your blog while on holiday in Canada..and hopefully plan to attend next year! yay...
    Krista

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  14. I'm looking forward to this very much, and would love a ticket. Particularly keeping an eye out for lighting designers.

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  15. I would looove some tickets! So exciting! I want to see designboom mart!

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  16. You are going to be one busy girl! Nuts!! Can't wait to check out what the festival has to offer.

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  17. oooh - i would love to be in the running! that is so so great for you! congratulatioons on being the official blogger to such a brilliant event!

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  18. thankyou for your post, lots of things to look forward to!

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  19. Ditto! Put me in the hat.

    - Imogen (harvest)

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  20. I would love to go in the hat to win a double pass!
    Thanks,
    Lizzie

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  21. Okay - I'm on the bandwagon! Would love tix to the opening night please... am hoping the hat will be kind to me!

    Thanks!

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  22. Pick me Pick me Pick me Pick me

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  23. Would love a ticket. Thanks. Amelia

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  24. looking forward to your posts, go you blogger-oficionado :)

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  25. Congrats on the "official blogger" status - I'll be watching your blogs and tweets eagerly over the festival!

    Would love tix too :)

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  26. a ticket would be amazing! im a new follower to your blog - its great

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  27. Very jealous that you get to be "official blogger". How awesome will all the events be. Yes, you'll be tired, but happy! Would love to go too! - mamaofpeanut

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  28. looks like your going to need a bigger hat!
    please add *me* fingers crossed.
    thanks looks great!

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  29. Ooh how fun! Put me in the draw too and congrats on being the official event blogger - that is SO awesome! I've only been in Melbs for a month or so but am loving it! What a fun event - definitely want to check out the Design Boom Market - how did I miss that in Tokyo??!!

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  30. Oh please Design Files big hat, please pick me! I would love to attend the opening as at the moment I'm only planning to blog the free events!

    Jetsetting Joyce

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  31. i went last year, got very tipsy and bought amazing art from the studioat stand. amazing event. can i please have tickets to the opening? thank you!

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  32. I would SO love to go, and bring my girlfriend with me. =) May your hat smile upon me!

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