Features
ADU features take a close look at creative people doing interesting things in Australia and around the world. Here we post new stories monthly, our editorial direction centred on a growing community of creative individuals connected by intelligent free-thinking that, more often than not, is defying the traditional corporate model.
Issue 4 – Creative enablersOver the past ten years Australian plastics manufacturer Palamont has undergone a gradual yet total transformation; from a made-to-order, purely functional mindset, to a highly entrepreneurial position where the business, in partnership with a team of leading Australian designers, is poised to launch its own branded products directly to market. |
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Issue 4 – Creative enablersIn this issue, we begin an ongoing series of interviews with a broad range of creative enablers including local manufacturers who are fast dispelling the myth that nothing comes of designers collaborating with manufacturers in Australia. By Ewan McEoin and Heidi Dokulil 
Palamont Rotor: Norman JohnsonIn just ten years Palamont Rotor has shifted from a purely functional mindset, to a highly entrepreneurial position where the business has partnered with Australian designers to launch its own products directly to market. Interview by Ewan McEoin 
Lucelux: Rohan NicolIn 2009, Wagga Wagga based designer Rohan Nicol launched Lucelux – a new design enterprise established through an alliance with local manufacturer Precision Signs. Rohan spoke to the ADU about the benefits to be gained from partnerships between designers and local manufacturers. Interview by Ewan McEoin 
Issue 3 – Awards are great and very very badIn our last post for 2009, we address the diverse array of design competitions, assessing the pros, the cons, and the importance of reading the fine print. By Ewan McEoin & Heidi Dokulil 
Top3 by design: Terri WinterTop3 by design founder Terri Winter spoke to the ADU about the key things Australian designers should know about design wholesaling, and what it takes to play well with retailers. Interview by Madeleine Hinchy 
The Big PictureDesigner, writer and art director Graeme Smith reviews The Big Picture Design Challenge, a student and recent graduate design competition organised by the DIA and McDonald’s. The article raises important questions for designers, artists and creative businesses to consider before entering a competition. 
Issue 2 – The designer as social innovatorIn this issue we focus on the role of design in social innovation, commencing a series of features that explore ideas and actions within the rapidly growing social innovation sector. By Heidi Dokulil & Ewan McEoin 
Compact Desk: Stefan KahnCompact Desk founder Stefan Kahn believes that the time and energy spent on the design of a business is as fundamental to its success as the strength of the product it produces. Stefan spoke to ADU about the importance of business planning. Interview by Heidi Dokulil 
Helen Kontouris Design: Helen KontourisHelen Kontouris works with a number of local and international manufacturers and juggles her commitments within her own studio. Here Helen talks about client management and learning from a couple of failed starts in business. Interview by Madeleine Hinchy 
Third Drawer Down: Abi CromptonThird Drawer Down’s Abi Crompton spoke to the ADU about the three streams of her business, dealing with copycats and how she has remained true to core values set out at the beginning. Interview by Madeleine Hinchy 
Rebooting RemoIn the 1980s Remo Giuffré started a cult following with a shop that went from boom to bust and back. Remo talks to the ADU about reinventing an iconic corner store as an online global community. By Peter Salhani 
Ezio Manzini on design, sustainability and social innovationEzio Manzini, the Milan-based advocate on design and sustainability, spoke in Melbourne recently about the projects designers should be turning their attention to for the future. By Ewan McEoin 
Issue 1 – The creative entrepreneurThe ADU launches issue 1 with the first series of continuing profiles on Australian creative businesses who we feel are defining the term creative entrepreneur. By Heidi Dokulil & Ewan McEoin 
To market, to marketAustralia is in the middle of a design market boom with new venues popping up all over the country. Here the ADU talks with designers and organisers across Australia to assess the pros and cons of market retailing. By Madeleine Hinchy 
On your bikeFrom failed dot-com venture to international success story, Knog is a Melbourne-based design brand that launched in 2002 to produce bicycle accessories now sold in over 46 countries. Hugo Davidson talks to the ADU about the rise and rise of Knog. By Peter Salhani |
