Tuesday 30 September 2014

Beijing Design Week 2014 - Monash Univeristy Industrial Design

ICSID President Dr Brandon Gien featured the award winning environmental design project MARS by Monash University Industrial Design graduate Alex Goad during his presentation at Beijing Design Week 2014. 


Beijing Design Week 2014 presentation by ICSID President Dr Brandon Gien featured the award winning project designed by Monash University Industrial Design graduate Alex Goad.


Beijing Design Week 2014 presentation by ICSID President Dr Brandon Gien featured the award winning project designed by Monash University Industrial Design graduate Alex Goad.

The MARS - Modular Artificial Reef Structure has been designed to help mitigate the growing effects of modern human activity on our marine environments. Unprecedented population growth is putting increased pressure on our oceans, not only because of climate change and pollution, but also because of destructive fishing practices, increased water runoff and dredging. Our irreplaceable coral reefs are some of the most bio-diverse and uniquely fragile eco-systems on the planet, and consequently suffer the quickest and most drastically from this human expansion.


MARS modular artificial reef designed by Alex Goad Monash University industrial design.

MARS is a modular artificial reef structure that can be implanted by divers and tailored to suit the geographical layout of the ocean floor. The MARS units have been designed specifically for coral transplanting, which can quickly help re-grow damaged coral reef areas. The structure can also help to increase the biomass of an area with or without existing reef features. Based on over three years of independent research into suitable materials, MARS is designed to maximise the potential for sustaining ocean environments.


Monday 29 September 2014

Chris Bangle - Beijing China

Designer Chris Bangle is in Beijing during Beijing Design Week for Create Change presented by Art Center.


BMW designer Chris Bangle in Beijing with Ian Wong Monash University.



Sunday 28 September 2014

Michael Clifton - Australian Design Industry Delegation

The Australian Design Industry Delegation to Beijing Design Week met with Senior trade commissioner for China Michael Clifton in Beijing this week.


Australian Design Industry Delegation to Beijing Design Week meet with Michael Clifton senior trade commissioner Austrade.

Beijing Design Week - Barcelona in Beijing

Barcelona is the guest city for 2014 at Beijing Design Week.

Barcelona in Beijing opened last night beginning with the procession of the magic horse which led a huge crowd into the huge industrial tank exhibition space.


Barcelona in Beijing - Beijing Design Week
Australian designer Debbie Ryan principle of McBride Charles Ryan Architecture at the opening of Barcelona in Beijing.


Beijing Design Week - Barcelona in Beijing China


Beijing Design Week - Barcelona in Beijing China


Beijing Design Week - Barcelona in Beijing China


Beijing Design Week - Barcelona in Beijing China


Beijing Design Week - Barcelona Magic Horse


Beijing Design Week 2014 - Barcelona in Beijing opening

The Guest City program is a key section of BJDW. Every year, one international city is made the protagonist of China’s most influential design event with a series of theme exhibitions, special curatorial projects, and public programs to introduce the world’s creative traditions and histories to local audiences.

The project was born out of the desire to empower a Global Creative Cities Network with the ability to implement visionary solutions to common challenges, build a bridge between Beijing and other international design cities, and also bring the creative and design industries together with commercial resources.

The program is built as a conversation between cities as strategic economic and cultural constructs, and sets forth long-term cooperative frameworks between municipalities under key sectors for commercial, academic and cultural collaboration to foster urban growth. 



Saturday 27 September 2014

McBride Charles Ryan - Beijing Design Week China

Australian designer Debbie Ryan is in Beijing China this week as a delegate with the Australian Design Industry Delegation to Beijing Design Week 2014.


Australian designer Debbie Ryan of McBride Charles Ryan, Ian Wong, and Ken Cato at Beijing Design Week in China


Beijing Design Week China - McBride Charles Ryan Architecture - Monash Univerisity 


Australian designer Debbie Ryan meets with the Senior Trade Commissioner for Austrade Michael Clifton in Beijing with the Australian Design Industry Delegation to Beijing Design Week.


Beijing Design Week Australian Design Industry delegate - Debbie Ryan - McBride Charles Ryan Architecture


Beijing Design Week 2014 - Barcelona Magic Horse


Beijing Design Week - Barcelona guest city magic horse.


Beijing Design Week - Barcelona magic horse.


Beijing Design Week - Barcelona magic horse.

Beijing Design Week 2014 - Zhu Xiaojie

It was a pleasure to meet up with Zhu Xiaojie whilst attending the Beijing Design Week 2014 opening ceremaony as part of the Australian Design Industry Delegation.

I first met Zhu Xiaojie at Milan design week in 2012 at the Slow Seating - Contemporary Chinese Design exhibition he curated.


Zhu Xiaojie and Ian Wong at Beijing Design Week 2014 opening ceremony.

Friday 26 September 2014

Beijing Design Week 2014 - Beijing Industrial Design Center


Beijing Design Week - Ms Winnie Gao, Dr Brandon Gien, Mr Vittorio Sun, Mr Chen Dongliang.

Beijing Design Week 2014 - Australian Design Industry Delegation


Beijing Design Week 2014 Australian Design Industry Delegation

The official Australian delegation to Beijing Design Week includes Mr Oliver Kratzer FDIA, Chairman, Australian Design Alliance; Dr Kenneth Cato AO, Chairman and Global Creative Director, Cato Brand Partners Pty Ltd; Dr Brandon Gien, CEO, Good Design Australia and President, International Council of Societies of Industrial Design; Ms Kristin McCourtie, Manager and Director Design Foundation; Mr Ian Wong FDIA, Director, Design Institute of Australia; Ms Jess Scully, Vivid Ideas Festival Director; Mr Ian McArthur, Designer and Senior Design Lecturer, UNSW Art & Design; Dr Rohan Nicol, Head of Gold and Silversmithing, Australian National University School of Art; and Ms Debbie Ryan, Founding Principle of McBride Charles Ryan.

Thursday 25 September 2014

Katie Noonan - Beijing China


Katie Noonan performs in Beijing China at the opening of Beijing Green by Australian artist Matthew Joscelyne.

Beijing Green - Australian Design Industry Delegation to Beijing Design Week

Beijing Green is a major art installation project by Australian artist Matthew Joscelyne.


Beijing Green by Australian artist Matthew Joscelyne.

The Australian Design Industry Delegation to Beijing Design Week were special guests at the opening ceremony of Beijing Green 2014 held in the Imperial Ancestral Temple next to the Forbidden City. Officially opened by Victorian Minister for Agriculture and Food Security and Member of the Victorian Parliament the Hon Peter Walsh.


Beijing Green by Australian artist Matthew Joscelyne.

Throughout the event, artworks from the National Gallery of Victoria, Victoria’s Melbourne Museum, the State Library of Victoria, and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image were displayed, alongside a giant exhibition of the universe’s planets. Special guest performances included award-winning Australian singer Katie Noonan.


Australian Design Industry Delegation member Dr Kenneth Cato discusses Beijing Green project with artist Matthew Joscelyne.


Beijing Green by Australian artist Matthew Joscelyne.


Beijing Green by Australian artist Matthew Joscelyne.


Beijing Green by Australian artist Matthew Joscelyne.



 Australian artist Matthew Joscelyne looks on as Katie Noonan performs at the opening of Beijing Green at the Forbinnen City Beijing China.


Beijing Green by Australian artist Matthew Joscelyne.


Wednesday 24 September 2014

Blue Sky - Beijing Design Week 2014

It was amazing to be greeted by a bright blue sky on arrival in Beijing as part of the Australian Design Industry Delegation to Beijing Design Week.


Blue sky greeting for Australian Design Industry Delegation to Beijing Design Week.

My stop over in Sydney was full of Blue Sky also with my visit to the studio of Professor Mark Armstrong.

Tomorrow we begin the official program but today it is good to be out and about in Beijing sunshine.

Monday 22 September 2014

Blue Sky Design Group - Sydney Australia

A visit to Sydney today provided my first opportunity to vist Professor Mark Armstrong's studio Blue Sky Design Group.

Mark's office at Monash Art Design & Architecture [MADA] is opposite my own and we have worked together in China but it was great to see him in Sydney and meet the team at Blue Sky.


Blue Sky Design Group - Professor Mark Armstrong 

Sunday 21 September 2014

Design World Magazine - Issue 1 March 1983

Design World magazine was first published on March 1st 1983 by Colin Wood.

Australian graphic designer Ken Cato designed the cover and served on the editorial board of Design World magazine.


Design World magazine published by Colin Wood in Victoria Australia.

Max Harper - Corker

Designed by Max Harper the Corker slim pendant light was the winner of the Sustainablilty and Waste-wise Award Melbourne Fringe Furniture Festival 14.

Max was one of my students at RMIT industrial design and is now established in Sydney.


Corker slim pendant light designed by Max Harper - Fringe Furniture Festival


Corker slim pendant light designed by Max Harper - Fringe Furniture Festival

Corker slim pendant light, inspired by iconic cork hats that for better or worse are linked to Australiana.
The Corker series was designed for Fringe furniture competition 2014 for the theme “Living Traces”. Corker relates to the theme by acknowledging a stereotypical cultural aspect of Australia, whilst playfully mocking that same cultural iconography in a current design context.
Corker is modern Australian design from quality future friendly materials and processes ensures Corker to be around for future generations to enjoy.

Handmade in Sydney from Agglomerated Cork


Copper - Industrial Design Consultancy


Ed Linacre, Ian Wong, Kjell Grant, Adam Cornish and Viktor Legin at the studio of Copper industrial design consultancy in Melbourne.

Adam Cornish - Melbourne


Designer Adam Cornish with Melbourne Movement founder Professor Kjell Grant at his studio in Melbourne.

Friday 19 September 2014

Design for Business - Call for Papers

Proposals for research papers and presentations are invited for the upcoming 2015 International Research Conference: Design for Business. This is a leading, doubleblind peer reviewed conference that examines how design as a strategic resource adds value to business.



Please note that by ‘business’ we include commercial and not-for-profit enterprises. Many organizations, including governmental departments, cultural organisations, not-for-profit enterprises, and even cities, have adopted business-style management in order to improve their operations. Also, many increasingly use design thinking approaches in order to better understand their stakeholders, to improve their workplaces, to create new experiences for their clients, to minimize the impact that they have on the environment and increase sustainability, or to improve their services, their distribution, or their manufacturing processes. If you are working or doing research in any of these areas, then we would like to hear from you.

The 2015 program has been updated to include a Round Table Symposium, providing opportunities for completed work and the sharing of work in progress.

About the Research Conference
The Design for Business: Research program presents rigorous academic research examining the role of design in building competitive business advantage. We believe that design led innovation offers strategic advantage that can lead to improved productivity and increased economic prosperity, whether it refers to the development of new business platforms, communication strategies, products or services.

The program is committed to providing an annual platform for researchers in the region. Its aim is to be collegiate and to provide a relevant and meaningful resource to the research community.

By encouraging discourse on design and its benefits to business, we help our stakeholders to further understanding about the role of design in creating value. The material presented at this conference is published globally via Intellect Books and the University of Chicago Press.

Initiated in 2011, this trans-disciplinary conference invites researchers and professionals from Australia and around the world to present their latest studies on the intersection of design and business. All submissions are subjected to a rigorous peer review by a panel of over 100 internationally acclaimed experts.

Design for Business: Research Conference conducted in Melbourne is a key event at the annual Melbourne International Design Week. The program is presented by agIdeas with the State Government of Victoria and in association with Design Matters and Swinburne University of Technology, with support from major Australian universities.

Thursday 18 September 2014

Beijing Industrial Design Center - Design Institute of Australia

Design Institute of Australia director Ian Wong visited the Beijing Industrial Design Center in Beijing China in December 2012 and will return to Beijing next week as part of the Australian Design Industry delegation to Beijing Design Week.


Beijing Industrial Design Center Mr Song Weizu and Ian Wong director of the Design Institute of Australia.


Beijing Industrial Design Center Mr Song Weizu and Ian Wong director of the Design Institute of Australia.


Wednesday 17 September 2014

Australian Design Industry Delegation to Beijing Design Week

Australian design, architecture and creative industries capabilities will be on show in China next week with the Australian Design Industry Delegation to Beijing Design Week taking place from 24-28 September.


Australian Design Industry Delegation to Beijing Design Week

As part of the Australian Government’s ongoing promotion of Australian creative industries in China, the delegation will build links between the Australian and Chinese industries, and promote Australian design, architecture, creativity and urbanism in China.

Beijing Design Week is a citywide event co-hosted by the Municipal Government of Beijing, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Science & Technology, and the Ministry of Culture to nurture a culture of design in China and provide a platform for international designers, institutions, and organisations to share ideas.

Over the course of five days, the Australian Design Industry Delegation to Beijing Design Week will take part in a packed program of events, meetings and briefing sessions with Australian and Chinese industry counterparts, attend design industry forums and discussions, and participate in Beijing Design Week’s series of projects and exhibitions.

The official Australian delegation to Beijing Design Week includes Mr Oliver Kratzer FDIA, Chairman, Australian Design Alliance; Dr Kenneth Cato AO, Chairman and Global Creative Director, Cato Brand Partners Pty Ltd; Dr Brandon Gien, CEO, Good Design Australia and President, International Council of Societies of Industrial Design; Ms Kristin McCourtie, Manager and Director Design Foundation; Mr Ian Wong FDIA, Director, Design Institute of Australia; Ms Jess Scully, Vivid Ideas Festival Director; Mr Ian McArthur, Designer and Senior Design Lecturer, UNSW Art & Design; Dr Rohan Nicol, Head of Gold and Silversmithing, Australian National University School of Art; and Ms Debbie Ryan, Founding Principle of McBride Charles Ryan.



Oliver Kratzer - Australian Design Industry Delegation to Beijing Design Week 2014


Dr Kenneth Cato AO - Australian Design Industry Delegation to Beijing Design Week 2014
image: catopartners


Dr Brandon Gien - Australian Design Industry Delegation to Beijing Design Week 2014


Ian Wong - Australian Design Industry Delegation to Beijing Design Week 2014


Jess Scully - Australian Design Industry Delegation to Beijing Design Week 2014


Ian McArthur - Australian Design Industry Delegation to Beijing Design Week.



Dr Rohan Nicol - Australian Design Industry Delegation to Beijing Design Week 2014


Debbie Ryan - Australian Design Industry Delegation to Beijing Design Week 2014


Beijing Design Week Australian Design Industry Delegation 2014


Further information on Beijing Design Week is available at: http://www.beijingdesignweek.org/