By Martin Vedris
SYDNEY: Miele leads the charge for the 50th Australian International Design Awards with four products in the Consumer award category finalist list. This year marks the first time ever that international products are eligible for the award.
The full list of finalists revealed that 17 of the 60 products nominated for Australian International Design Awards were designed overseas including the USA, the UK, Germany, China, New Zealand and The Netherlands. Australia has 44 products eligible for the top prize of Australian International Design Award of the Year.
The award winners will be announced at the presentation night in Sydney on Friday 30 May.
“Judging local designs against their international rivals is a true reflection of the competitive environment in which Australian designers operate,” said Stephanie Watson, manager of the Australian International Design Awards.
“Many of the Australian products have concentrated on solving problems that for years have not been addressed by previous products. Finding innovative and unique solutions to design problems is where Australian designers are at their best.”
Miele received finalist nominations for the S 5280 Medicair Vacuum Cleaner, the H 4060 BM Microwave Combination Oven, DA 424 V Telescopic Island Cooker Hood and the CVA 4060 Automatic Coffee Machine.
Breville has collected three finalist nominations for the BBL800 Professional Series Blender, the BTA800 Professional Series Toaster and the BKT500 ikon Kettle & Toaster.
Sunbeam has two products in the list of finalists — the EM5900 Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine and the GC8900 Café Series Grill & Barbecue.
Philips is also in the running for the major Design Award with two finalists — the Arcitec electric shaver and the Aurea LCD TV.
Electrolux has received a finalist nomination for its E:line Compact Side by Side Refrigerator Series.
Electrolux has also made the list of finalists in the Housing and Building category with its innovative Illuminated Induction Cooktop.
Meanwhile, Bose has received a finalist nomination for its QuietComfort 3 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones.