WORKSHOPPED17 is a platform for both new and established product, furniture and lighting designers. On display at Supa Centa, Moore Park until 27 August, WORKSHOPPED includes an exhibition for professional and established designers called WORKSHOPPED Salon.
WORKSHOPPED has played a key role in the support and promotion of Australian product design over the last 17 years and we spoke to WORKSHOPPED Producer Raymond Scott to find out more about the event.
What is Workshopped and how did it come about?
WORKSHOPPED started 17 years ago as a small exhibition of five designers under the umbrella of Sydney Design Week. My Co-Director, Leanne Gibson came up with the idea and over the following ten years a small dedicated team gradually grew the WORKSHOPPED exhibitions into larger scale events held in The Strand Arcade, QVB and Chifley Plaza. At that stage I came onboard to assist with production. I fell in love with the idea of supporting Australian design, and we then took the hobby to the next stage by opening a small retail business in Surry Hills. Over the past seven years the exhibition has continued to be a key part of discovering new Australian designers, and at the same time we've grown the business to focus on specifying Australian and New Zealand design for both residential and commercial markets. It's been exhausting, but very rewarding to evolve our business from just an idea to support our product designer friends!
What is the value for designers in being part of Workshopped?
The whole reason for WORKSHOPPED existing is to support Australian and NZ designers to get their prototypes into production and find local and international markets. The WORKSHOPPED family is large! Over the past 17 years we've exhibited the work of over 450 designers to reach more than 600,000 people. Much of the value of exhibiting with WORKSHOPPED is connecting to a large network.
17 Workshopped editions is a major feat. What have been some of the highlights for you?
We've helped many designers resolve designs, meet manufacturers and of course it's very exciting when we've been able to sell the commercialised product. We now sell a large number of products that started life as a WORKSHOPPED exhibit. We're incredibly proud to support great local design - and we're committed to growing the commercial market for Australian and NZ design.
Can you tell us what you are most excited about in Workshopped17?
There's far too many to pick only a few, you’ll have to come along and see the exhibition for yourself to get the true value.
Explore the WORKSHOPPED website here
Explore the designers on display here
What: WORKSHOPPED17
When: 10 August - 27 August
Where: Supa Centa, Moore Park
Cost: Free
Partnered by Supa Centa Moore Park in association with Australian Design Centre.
Image: Mathieu Cottin, Chene Armchair. Photo courtesy of WORKSHOPPED17.