The Interior design Excellence Awards (IDEA), Australia’s largest and most successful independent design awards program, launched its 17th iteration last evening at an event in South Melbourne.

Launched by inside magazine in 2003, IDEA celebrates the best of Australian interior and product design across 14 categories and five Special Awards.

“Each year the design bar is raised higher than we can ever expect,” said Jan Henderson co-editor of inside, speaking at the event at sponsor Miele’s South Melbourne showroom last night.

“2018 was an incredible year for design with a plethora of outstanding projects that epitomised innovation, creativity and design resolution at its very best. Our designers and architects are setting world standards and I am sure that as we launch IDEA 2019 the entries we receive this year will again amaze and delight us. It is with great anticipation that Gillian Serisier, my co-editor, and I look forward to meeting with our fabulous jury in August when the winners will be decided”.

“This year the jury consists of a dynamic and outstanding group of designers and architects who have achieved many successes throughout their careers. Each brings their particular expertise to the table and together they are a formidable force”.

That panel includes:

Jeff Copolov, director, Bates Smart

Dan Cox, director, Carr

Tina Engelen, joint-principal, CO-AP

Byron George, director, Russell & George

Yasmine Ghoniem, director of interior architecture + design, Amber Road

Nicholas Karlovasitis, co-founder and designer, DesignByThem

Jeremy McLeod, co-founder and director, Breathe Architecture

Byron George spoke with Jan Henderson about the opportunity to contribute to the IDEA jury this year. George, along with business partner Ryan Russell, was awarded the accolade of winner of the Hospitality category in IDEA 2018 for Ishizuka, a project that reinvents and reinterprets a restaurant interior.

Byron reflected that, “IDEA effectively started my career. Entering IDEA back in the early days really gave me the exposure my young practice needed.”

“I’m excited to be a judge. It’s always good to be a part of the design community in this country and to celebrate the best of what we do as an industry.”

Don’t forget, early bird entries for 2019 close 21^st March, click here to enter now.