State of Design - Under 4 weeks to go

19th June, 2009

State of Design Festival, an initiative of the Victorian State Government, offers a diverse program of over 80 interactive events, exhibitions, workshops and talks from 15-25 July. 

The Festival holds four major programs in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, focused around the 2009 theme ‘Sampling the Future': Design Capital business program, Design For Everyone public and cultural program, Design:Made:Trade industry program, and the biennial Premier's Design Awards (next held in 2010).

A selection of State of Design events for 2009 include:

July 15 - Festival Opening Night
Join in on opening night celebrations at the Royal Exhibition Building, and be the first to view and purchase original design from Design:Made:Trade, designboom mart (Italy) and Design Made Flanders (Belgium).

July 24 - Iron Designer II: Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold
Some of Melbourne's most creative minds fight it out in a no holds barred design battle - vying for the people's ovation and fame forever. Inspired by their Japanese cooking counterparts, design contestants work individually or in teams of 2-3 in a pressure-cooker, style design-off. Responding to State of Design's Festival theme, design contestants will receive a ‘Sample of the Future' and the battle's key ingredient will be revealed.

July 25 - Design Day in Bendigo
Features 'Garbage Warrior' Micheal Reynolds. For over 40 years, architect Michael Reynolds has been teaching the world how to live sustainably, promoting a holistic way of living that involves natural and recycled materials, renewable energy and self-generated food and water supplies.

July 16-30 - AGDA Australian Poster Annual
A compelling exhibition of 30 posters, from some of Australia's leading designers.
The exhibition, taking place in and around Melbourne will present the 30 shortlisted entries selected from a national competition. Responding to the Festival theme, the posters will demonstrate the potential of design to lead the parallel trajectories of business, science and society towards a common future.

July 18 & 25 - Back to Basics
Bind, stamp, print, play, discover. Back2basics 2009 is two days of workshops for creative professionals and students. Taking you back to the roots and heart of graphic design, these workshops will inspire you to discover a new future. Get the creative juices flowing in a range of hands-on sessions including explorations in typography, bookbinding and letterpress printing. Refresh your skill sets, adventure into new creative territories and invigorate your mind. A tax deduction has never been so inspiring.

For more information about the State of Design Festival 2009, visit:
http://www.stateofdesign.com.au/2009-festival-program