The finalists in this year’s Design Tasmania awards have been announced with a total of 55 designers shortlisted in categories covering furniture, jewellery, visual communications and fashion and textile design.

The winner’s of the six categories and five major awards will be announced at a gala on 29 November. After this, curious visitors can see all the finalists at the Design Tasmania gallery until 5 January.

Cantilever Chair | Melinda Antal Design

This year, the program is teaming up with the Tasmanian Premier’s Award, which recognises the designer who expressed the best in contemporary Tasmanian design across all the categories.

Daydreamer set | Megan Perkins

Other categories, like Emerging Designer Award and Design for Impact, recognise the potential of design to make an impact in our community, either through innovative and efficient use of materials and processes including cradle to cradle principles, or new approaches to design and design thinking that create benefit to underrepresented areas of our community.

Along with a cash prize, the Emerging Designer winner will get mentoring, studio access and other benefits.

Bill’s Backpack | Ivett Dodd for Ivi Made

Round Bag | Linda Fredheim

Founded in 2006, the awards program was established to recognise excellence in design and innovation and promote emerging, established and professional Tasmanian designers both at home and abroad.

The 2019 awards celebrate the richness of the design profession as well as the insight and perseverance of its practitioners.

Design Tasmania is committed to showcasing the best new products that demonstrate the impact design has on our lives. The not-for-profit, charitable organisation located in one of Launceston’s most celebrated historic landmarks, City Park, promotes the principles of sustainability in design practice and business, and encourages designers to consider the impact of their design decisions, use of materials and processes and solutions in holistic ways.

The Design Tasmania Awards are supported by the Tasmanian and Australian federal government, as well as the Ian Potter Foundation and the Australian Council for the Arts.

This year’s awards will be judged by industry figures like Emilie Joy, Karen Webster, Damian Gentile, Tamsin O’Neill, Lucy Given, Claire Beale, Gregory Bonasera and Fiona Lehman.

The 2019 Design Tasmania Award finalists

Jewellery design

Silk Branch + Bough neckpieces by Linda Van Niekerk

Daydreamer Set by Megan Perkins

Pebble Earrings by AM Assembly

Relic bracelet by Jane Hodgetts

Slumped Tube Necklace by Christine Hannan

Endless Earrings by Melly Frank

Pearl Beetle by Samantha Dennis

Liminal by Rengin Guner

Top Spin by Anita Dineen

The Forest Floor Earrings by Tanja von Behrens

Australian Akoya Drops by Shauna Mayben

Visible Absence by Bella Dower

Furniture design

muylatina by Liminal Objects

Ari & Ari Up by Brett Gray

Rebirthed Tub Chair by Isaac Williams

Cantilever Chair by Melinda Antal Design

Gnomon Shelf by MR. FRAG studios

LOFT Lounge Chair by Van.tuil

Skelestool by Exmarksthespot Design

Mile Chair by Matt Prince

Inflatable no. 6 by Richard Skinner

Tea4Two by Ray Brien

Bombora Chair by Elliot Hall

Fashion and textiles

Bill’s Backpack by Ivi Made

Hand dyed fabrics by Yolanda Zarins Textiles

Plastic Soup Dress by Seagrass Design

Hand Dyed Textiles by Yolanda Zarins

Heirloom Wrap by Kirsty Maté

Elemental by June Hope

Object design

Round Bag by Linda Fredheim

The Gumnut Pendant Lamp by S&R Design

Arch Vessels by Van Tuil

Every Day Cup by Lisa Britzman

Porcelain Vase by Mairi Ward

Finn Trivet by Nathan Freeman

Lucaido by Saint Mary O’Flynn

Squeeze by David Marsden

Merletto Piegato by Peter Bowles

Vessels by Scott van Tuil for Van.tuil

One Series Straws by Creative HKAU

Side Plate by Ben Richardson

Woodfired Pieces by Ben Richardson

Subliminal Planter by Tim Haley

Moment by Serena Rosevear

Visual communications

Design Portfolio by Kevin Hetebry, FOUNDRY

West Coast Brochure and Identity by Jason Little, For the People

DARK MOFO, Megan Perkins for DarkLab

ART OF MONA by David Campbell for MONA

Bread+Butter by Felix Blackman Blackman.creative

Featured image: Bread+Butter | Felix Blackman