Having worked as the Design Centre retail manager since 2006, Rye has developed strong relationships within the Tasmanian design sector.

His knowledge of the sector and passion for developing new initiatives and commercial opportunities for designers will bring a refined focus to the newly created position of General Manager.

The appointment has come from a strategic overview of the organisation and will bring the operations of the Design Centre Tasmania together.

A number of key initiatives that Rye will be working on in 2012 and beyond include

• The Tasmanian Design Alliance
• Design Island national showcase and market development for Tasmanian designers
• The Tasmanian Design Awards
• Further development of the Tasmanian Wood Design Collection and 2013 acquisition process
• A major rebranding of the Design Centre Tasmania and activities with Clemenger Tasmania

If you would like to discuss any aspect of the Design Centre’s past and future activities please contact Rye Dunsmuir on 03 6331 5506

This is a unique opportunity for an Australian supplier to become associated with an Australian design icon and to have their work owned and appreciated nationally and internationally.

Download the Key to the Shells Product Brief pdf.

Model and detailed submission due April 13 2012

The Forest and Heritage Centre in Geevston are looking to introduce a range of new products for display and sale. The Centre has recently been refurbished and is a focal point for tourist activity in the South with over 40,000 visitors per year. If you are interested in displaying and selling your work read on below and contact Roland Schibig for further information.

Background

Forestry Tasmania assumed management of the Forest and Heritage Centre, Geeveston, in June 2010. The Centre serves currently as a booking office for all adventure forests sites, with the ground floor containing a retail section with focus on products selling to the tourist market. Products on sale also include speciality island timer product, the work of some local artist and furniture made by the southern design centre.

The rest of the ground floor space houses a temporary interpretive exhibition about the timber industry in the Geeveston area, while funding is sought to develop a more comprehensive multimedia tourist experience.

With the upstairs floor focusing now on wood turning machine, in particular the Vin Smith collection, continue that theme by incorporating  the entire Forest and heritage centre could be considered a logical progression.

The upstairs floor has been repaired through the city council, received a makeover with a proper clean up and all walls have been painted. This section of the building presents itself beautifully, and has been open to the public for over 4 months, primary focusing on the unfinished Vince Smith Collection. The Huon Valley Council expressed its concern to Forestry Tasmania that the Vince

Smith Collection of woodworking machines, which is housed on the second floor of the centre and of major significance to the community, was not being adequately curated or interpreted.

Forestry Tasmania responded to this concern by offering to develop, as a community service to Geeveston, an interpretation plan that would guide the development of a display that would increase the community’s, and wider public’s, appreciation of the Collection’s values, which has now been completed. The art society is now in the progress of applying for a community grant through the community heritage grant application process.

The aim of this plan is to provide a framework for transforming the Vince Smith Collection into a meaningful visitor experience, by identifying the Collection’s values, setting interpretive goals and themes, defining target audiences, and by providing a concept for interpretive media.

As previously mentioned, the focus needs now to shift to the ground floor. The available space would be suited to extend the retail and wood craft section, with focus on art, incorporation timber products. We have our resident artists, John Osborne, working out of the Centre. His focus is line carving, print and timber framing.

We are now looking for expression of interest of talented Tasmanian artists working primarily with timber, who would be interested to display their work, or work out of the Centre on a permanent basis.

The centre has around 40000 visitors a year, so the potential of selling products is excellent.

For further information of the express your interest, pleased contact

Roland.schibig@forestrytas.com.au

04185 574 272

Plus there will be loads of other great Tasmanian made and designed products available to purchase in time for Christmas. If you only make one market a year (like us), make it this one!

We will also be running the People’s Choice award on site or if you can’t wait you can vote online here.

Check out the Designed; Made website for full details and we look forward to seeing you all there.

The workshop will be conducted by Neil Erasmus in Launceston on Monday 5 December 2011 from 10.00 am until 5.30 pm.

Neil and Pam Erasmus operate a successful business at Pickering Brook, near Perth, W.A., designing and making production and commissioned furniture pieces while teaching a range of skills in their Erasmus School of Creative Arts.

The Design Centre – Tasmanian and FTT initiated this workshop to promote greater utilisation and value-adding of unique and valuable figured timbers. Sawn veneers cut from green or dry timber can be used for a range of feature applications in conjunction with plain timber and panel products.

Neil has developed expertise sawing highly figured veneers about 1.5 mm thick from green or dry crotch, birds-eye, burl or fiddle-back pieces, up to 300 mm wide. He has also perfected the seasoning and application of these sawn veneers as feature highlights in a range of furniture and treasured pieces.

The day will include a presentation, followed by demonstrations of cutting sawn veneers from green and dry blocks. Neil will also talk about seasoning techniques and equipment and the use of sawn veneers in panels and other applications.

Participants will be able to saw veneers on a specialised bandsaw during the workshop using green and dry material timbers.

COST

Is $25 per person – Tea, coffee, juices and lunch will be provided as will summary notes.

WHERE

FURNITURE DESIGN, SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN University of Tasmania. Room number 205 (Seminar Room 1st Floor)

TIME

MONDAY 5 DECEMBER 2011 @ 10:00am until 5:30pm

TRAVELING FROM THE SOUTH?

A bus will depart at 6.45 am from Forestry Tasmania, 79 Melville Street. There will be a second collection point from the Domain near the old TCA ground (to allow all day parking) at 7.00am sharp.

RSVP ‘LIMITED SPACES’

To maintain the optimum environment spaces are limited to 20, get in early to secure your spot. RSVP Now to avoid disappointment

CONTACT DETAILS

Murray Jessup, Phone (03) 6235 8347 / 0409 951 202,

Email murray.jessup@forestrytas.com.au

exhibition now on in gallery 3, design centre – tasmania until January 30 2012

Now in it’s sixth year, the award is recognised as a significant driver of innovation and change in product design. It has assisted over 80 Tasmanian designers refine and launch new products – some of which have gone on to succeed on an international scale.

Now more than ever before, innovation is a key economic driver and the Design Award is again providing real commercial opportunities for those prepared to work beyond the norm.

“The 2011 finalists have proven beyond doubt that Tasmania is a place where ideas can be put into action – with this collection of products, Tasmania can stand up against the best design nations in the world.”

Rye Dunsmuir, Design Award co-ordinator

Product Images © Peter Whyte, Event images © Kim Maisch

SEE THE 2011 TOP TEN HERE

In 2012 Designed Objects Tasmania (DOT) is offering two assisted scholarships that will support emerging designers to cover studio space and equipment rental fees. A relevant tertiary degree is favourable, however DOT recognises that there are other avenues that lead to practicing at a professional level and will access candidates based on the merit of the portfolio provided.

Scholarship Details

The scholarship will run from Feb 20th – Dec 20th 2012. Recipients will only pay $70 per week for a studio space, administrative support and full access to all the machinery and equipment at DOT.

Significant outcomes for the recipients:

• Professional development workshops
• Administrative support and advocacy
• Mentoring by some of Tasmania’s most skilled designer makers
• Centrally located studio in North Hobart
• Free access to industry standard computers and design software
• Design community collaboration and fellowship
• End of scholarship exhibition

It is expected that by the end of their scholarship the successful applicants will have produced a body of work for exhibition with at least one piece being a prototype for production.

Selection

Candidates will apply for the positions by supplying:

• Applicant statement detailing their practice interests and a clear plan of what they would like to achieve during their residency
• Folio of 10 images in PDF form or CD
• Letters of recommendation from peers, lecturer/head of studio/head of school are not required but will be looked on favourably.

Deadline

Submissions close Friday November 25 at 5pm. Email applications to info@dot.org.au Drop off or post any material not submitted electronically to 27A Tasma Street, North Hobart, 7000. Any queries call (03) 6231 0512

These Scholarships are supported by Arts Tasmania

Honeycomb Studs

Vitreous enamel on copper, sterling silver findings, epoxy adhesive
Sizes variable 15 x 15mm

Satin Finish Honeycomb 4 Piece Brooch Set

Vitreous enamel on copper, stainless steel findings, epoxy adhesive, leather
Sizes variable between 50 × 43mm and 28 × 24mm

Red Gloss Honeycomb Collar Necklace

Vitreous enamel on copper, sterling silver chain, epoxy adhesive, leather
pendant 150 × 130mm, chain length adjustable

Honeycomb Cluster 2 Piece Brooch Set

Vitreous enamel on copper, leather, epoxy resin, stainless steel findings
Sizes variable between 75mm × 50mm and 25mm x 22mm

More items available in-store, please contact shop staff for further information

Megan Perkins sends a BIG thankyou to Sean: www.seanfennessy.com.au for photographing the portraits!