Highlights from Sydney Indesign 2013.

Zuster at Galleria.

Mafi Timber at Galleria.

This year, industry event “Saturday Indesign” was renamed “Sydney Indesign” with the program spread over three days from Thursday to Saturday. Having been to the Melbourne event several times, this was my first time attending Sydney’s. Despite the name change, I found out the hard way that the event remains, very much, centred on the Saturday. I visited most of the showrooms on Friday and was left a little underwhelmed. Many showrooms had sparse guests, business as usual styling and a notable absence of drinks and snacks (which really hurts when you’ve gotten up at 5.30am to fly in for the event). I hate to sounds like a princess demanding  show ponies and soft cheeses but compared to previous years, it seemed to be missing the same sense of occasion. Admittedly, I probably should have cast my eyes on the program as a few showrooms were hosting special events, all of which I seemed to miss.

Habitus Pavilion at Galleria.

James Richardson with Daniel Dall Riva at Galleria.

Ella Table Lamp by Studio Make Made. Launch Pad Winner.

First stop on Friday was Galleria, which housed a variety of exhibitors under one roof. After being burnt by many a design trade fair (the last one I spotted velour, the word “HOPE” and diamontes crammed onto one cushion), the standard of work was definitely higher than your average trade event. Many exhibitors went all out on their displays, with the lush greenery of the Habitus pavilion and the multi-coloured dividing wall by Karton demanding the most attention. The stand out piece for me was the Ella Table Lamp by Studio Make Made, which was winner of this year’s Launch Pad.

Yet I’d have to say that the actual venue, a spot at Eveleigh’s Old Rail Yard was the hero of Galleria. The lucky exhibitors who nabbed a spot around the perimeter, managed to use the architectural backdrop with great success, in particular, Mafi Timber’s curving skate ramp.

Bolon tent in front of Galleria.

Live porcelain throwing by Kris Coad at Planet.

Freshly formed porcelain by Kris Coad at Planet.

Despite my whinge about Friday, there were a few standouts for me. Stack filled Cafe Culture’s showroom with clusters of pine trees. The pines alerted the nose first before pleasing the eyes- a welcome sensory experience at the end of a long day. The pairing between Designer Rugs and Arthur G felt like a match meant to be, with a frenzy of colour and bold prints marking a celebration of both exhibitors. Planet welcomed ceramicist Kris Coad, who was throwing porcelain live in their front window.

Lee Broom at Cafe Culture.

Arthur G and Designer Rugs.

Arthur G and Designer Rugs.

Arthur G and Designer Rugs.

The energy picked up several notches on Saturday, with showrooms filling with significantly more bodies and fortunately for the grazer that I am, more snacks. Talks and activities also ramped up and the usual buzz of Saturday Indesign began to show its face.

First stop on Saturday was KE-ZU, who collaborated with Yellowtrace. You’ve heard of Yellowtrace, right? Sorry. Dad joke. Dana and Nick inserted a fabric screen in the space, with an image of a Milan interior printed on the surface. The screen was illuminated by the windows behind, giving the impression of a dappled projection. The three sided screen essentially created a 1:1 impression of another space and transported it into KE-ZU’s showroom. The installation explored the limits between real and imagined spaces, particularly in terms of the design process. Clever or clever? Nice one team.

Yellowtrace installation at KE-ZU. Photo by Nick Hughes for Yellowtrace.

Yellowtrace installation at KE-ZU. Photo by Nick Hughes for Yellowtrace.

Urban Future Installation at Inlite. Photo by Jenna Rowe.

Urban Future Installation at Inlite. Photo by Nick Hughes for  Yellowtrace.

Inlite’s DJ tent by Dirk and Ed at Urban Future which was not technically part of the official “The Project” series but it definitely rocked my socks.  Simply using gold emergency blankets and a fan, the space was given a shot of electric energy which shifted with as the movement of bodies as they interacted with the force of the fan.

Christopher Boots at Inlite.

Hassell Installation at Living Edge Commercial.

Hassell Installation at Living Edge Commercial.

Jardan’s showroom was particularly photogenic, as I had expected. Natural light and considered styling were their strongest weapons. Launching what seemed like a tonne of new products, I’m starting to feel that Jardan are defining the Australian aesthetic in furniture design. Big call?

Jardan showroom.

Jardan showroom.

Jardan showroom.

Jardan showroom.

Zuster showroom.

Zuster showroom.

Corporate Culture showroom.

Corporate Culture showroom.

Corporate Culture showroom.

Spence & Lyda showroom.

Whilst I enjoyed the event overall, my memories of past Melbourne Saturday Indesign events seem more energetic in comparison. Remember this one? The Sydney showrooms generally presented beautifully but rarely did I feel as if they were transformed to stage an event. I did see much less on Saturday so perhaps I just played my cards all wrong. There may well have been all sorts of awesome exploding some place outside of my chosen itinerary.

Nonetheless, it was great to get away from the ol’ computer screen and see products in the flesh. I’ll still be back again next year for sure.

Text by Ella Leoncio for Yellowtrace.

[Photography by Ella Leoncio for Yellowtrace unless otherwise noted.]