PRESS
Friday, October 10, 2008
IDI Press Release
IDI Design Awards 2008
The winners of the 10th Annual IDI Design Awards were announced at a ceremony on the 8th of October 2008 in the Round Room, Mansion House, Dublin. The Grand Prix overall winner went to Tara Clarke MIDI and Lizzy Healy MIDI of Zinc Design for the Corporate and Brand Identity, designed for ARC Light, lighting design solutions. From a short list of 74 entries, Zinc Design won for their 'innovative and simple design – using black and white to achieve a clean and well finished identity'
Minister Eamon Ryan T.D and Barry Sheehan IDI President present Zinc Designers Tara Clarke MIDI, Ruth Kelleher and Lizzy Healy MIDI with the Grand Prix Trophy with a framed Certificate.
The Grand Prix Award was presented to Tara Clarke MIDI and Lizzy Healy MIDI from Zinc Design by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Mr. Eamon Ryan T.D. The Minister also presented an award, introduced for the first time this year, for Design Sustainability. This Highly Commended citation went to Garvan de Bruir AIDI of Garvan de Bruir designs for his unique Timber Pavilions structure – a building which "promotes the minimal use of materials by giving greater strength through curved form"
Barry Sheehan IDI President, Minister Eamon Ryan T.D., Garvan De Bruir AIDI.
Offering his congratulations, Minister Ryan said, "The Design Awards give necessary and deserved acknowledgement to the design sector. In Ireland we have a wealth of talent in design, be it artistic, digital or architectural. I must particularly commend the IDI for the creation of a new category in Design Sustainability this year. With the changes to the building regulations and my recently announced Home Insulation Scheme, Ireland's building stock will change radically in the coming years, in terms of their energy performances. These Awards will encourage innovative design that is both aesthetically pleasing, and environmentally sustainable. I commend all involved today, and congratulate the award winners."
Speaking of the importance of Irish Design, Sean McNulty pp MIDI, Chairman of the Awards Committee explained: "Designing is a process and the IDI Design Awards show how industry uses designers to gain competitive advantage, by creating distinctive and unique solutions for their clients. Design delivers substantial growth for Irish companies – as some of this year’s entrants and winners demonstrate".
John Hunt, RTE and Barry Sheehan IDI President present Sarah Morrison SIDI with the Graduate Grand Prix Eye Trophy.
This year the Graduate Design Awards were presented alongside the professional Design Awards. This year the Grand Prix IDI Graduate Design Winner is Sarah Morrison from the National College of Art and Design.
Barry Sheehan IDI President, Chao Chen MIDI & Sean LeMass, SDL Exhibitions.
Also on the night, Chao Chen MIDI was presented as the winner of the Top Ideal Homes Apartment Design Competition by Sean Lemass of SDL Exhibitions Ltd. Barry Sheehan IDI President commented, “The IDI is delighted to be associated with the Ideal Homes Exhibition 2008 at the RDS. It is difficult for young designers to become established. One of the ways designers can show off their talents is through design competitions and this year’s Ideal Homes Apartment Design competition run in association with the IDI provides a great platform for emerging Interior Designers. This year’s winning design is an imaginative stylish contemporary piece of design that sets the bar high for future entrants. We congratulate Chao Chen MIDI on his winning design”
Barry Sheehan IDI President presents the International Jury report.
Minister Eamon Ryan T.D., Sean McNulty IDI Awards Chairman and Karen Halpin, Bombay Sapphire.
Aine Rooney MIDI and Barry Sheehan IDI President.
Barry Bodeker MIDI, Tracy Fahey pp MIDI, Rachael Murtagh IDI Executive Officer