In conjunction with Swinburne Centenary celebration, an exhibition and publication called Pen to Pixel was developed to highlight the evolution of design at Swinburne University over the past century. Nanette Carter researched and selected 10 Swinburne graduates over 10 decades, representative of a period these designers were featured in the publication and exhibition. The exhibition was held in July at Chapel off Chapel Gallery in Prahran. The publication was used as an exhibition catalogue and continues to be used by the Faculty of Design as a promotional piece.

Design Centre was invited to design an exhibition stand and publication to showcase the work completed through the CRC Wood Innovations project. The exhibition stand featured at Furnitex, a large furniture conference held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. This exhibition display was designed to provide the CRC team with the opportunity to demonstrate their achievements. The CRC Wood Innovations* research findings in the properties of wood for furniture construction were explained in the publication.

Design Centre was approached by Pearl Lifestyle furniture to develop a series of concepts for a new contemporary “chill” recliner. The “chill” recliner had to be suitable for use within home entertainment areas as well as cater to the young professional market.

The concepts developed were responding to the client’s desire for a new contemporary ‘chill’ recliner specifically for home entertainment areas for the 25-40 young professional market

The Design Centre at Swinburne University, designed and constructed this exhibition stand for the client, CRC Wood Innovations, to inform and display their research and development of wood technologies.

The project was completed within a 3 week period from the concept stage to completed production and installation at the Furnitex exhibition 2006.

The project required a focused design process, close liaison with the client and timely collaboration with suppliers and manufacturers. Within the short timeframe, we were able to reach the clients expectations and developed our skills working with manufacturers and within the workshop. It was essential to the project that efficiency and professionalism were practiced, providing an accelerated and unique learning experience.

The brief was to refine and detail two bollard concepts approved by the client VicUrban, following initial design concepts developed by Design Centre in 2005. This involved close contact with the client, suppliers and manufacturers to oversee all the final details of the bollards into production.

In detailing each of the two bollards we compiled technical drawings and specifications, parts list, installation guides and complete costings. To guarantee a high quality product, rapid prototypes were created to refine finer details. Throughout the process we liaised with pattern makers, tool makers and rotational moulders to ensure a high quality outcome. Mock ups and rapid prototypes were created to ensure that the refined designs fulfilled the demands of the original brief.

InsulAid is a point of care product that acts as a diagnostic and administrative tool in the hands of everyday sufferers of Diabetes. Users no longer have to use three separate devices, lancet, glucose monitor and needle which are based on simple designs and technology currently used by diabetics to draw and analyse blood, as well as inject insulin via the pores in the skin. Incorporating these functions with a needle-less injection system into one device, InsulAid gives the user the flexibility and advantages of an easy-to-use, convenient and painless method of diabetes management.

This project involved the creation of a system of collapsible, reusable display plinths for use in the Faculty of Design for exhibitions and events. The design team needed to work around the limitations of batch manufacture in Melbourne, involving liaison with 8 separate material suppliers. The beauty of the design lies in the creation of shapes that are perfectly regular and sublime, as well as durable and strong. Their form is unadorned and blank, a desirable canvas that highlights and lifts the objects they display.