Vibrant Vision in Design or VIVID has announced the finalists for this year’s design competition to be held at Décor + Design from 10–13 July at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. Over 80 innovative pieces by 58 upcoming designers will be on display during the four-day event.

VIVID 2014 will give entrants a chance to showcase their work as they compete to win the five Awards of Excellence in Design that will be presented at a special event on the opening day. This year’s categories include: Student, Concept, Commercial, Green  and Lighting.

“Visitors will be impressed with the talent on offer this year, and the diversity of designs”, said Curator Caroline Caneva, who joined VIVID in 2014, bringing with her more than 10 years experience within the Australian design industry.

While the winners from the Student, Concept and Green Awards will receive $1000 each and $2000 for the Commercial Award winner, new event partner Beacon Lighting will present $5000 to the winner of the best lighting product.

The event is designed to assist the winners in furthering their product design careers with industry support. So far VIVID has assisted more than 600 designers, with over 900 products, kick-start their careers by providing a launching pad for emerging designers into the industry.

Lighting continues to be a popular focus for submissions in 2014, with over 22 pendants, lamps and table lights set to be on display. Highlights include: Adam Lynch and Dale Hardiman (LAB DE STU) present Dr Spinner, a collection of Australian-made spun metal pendant lights; and Rowan Page, Marinos Drake and Ilya Fridman (Studio Batch) show Diagrid Pendant, a range of unique 3D printed hand dyed lights.

Tables and seating designs are also prominent across entries this year. Must see: Point 45, a flat packable side table made from Corian and American Cherry by Shannon Riddle (Central Institute of Technology); Juxta Desk, a high end furniture piece made from hard rock maple by Nicholas Fuller (Nicholas Fuller Design Maker); and Thingamabob, a versatile table or seat, made from local QLD FSC certified Hoop Pine plywood by Carl Holder (Foreply).