CO|LAB - the concept

5 weeks out, we thought we’d share with you a little about the CO|LAB concept and exhibition design selection process.

Over our 3 or more years at Design Centre Enmore the professional interior designers, architects, decorators and draftspeople who teach us have emphasised the importance of a strong concept in realising quality design.

At the beginning of this year, all graduating Interior Design and Decoration students came together to explore the idea of ‘stretch’ and how it applied to design in general, our own design work and our future in the industry. Split up into 16 teams, we then had the task of teasing out a concept from this starting point for the design of our graduate exhibition.

In one night of presentations and voting, all kinds of concepts were presented - from thinking about the materiality of skin to pushing beyond the everyday. Students and teachers voted to select one design, with the CO|LAB concept coming up the winner. The winning team behind CO|LAB is: Sanova Amiri, Connie Condylios, Alan Foster, Tuyen Le, Elizabeth Phan and Kelly Silm.

Their unique and challenging concept is that the exhibition will be…

“an anatomic manifestation of form and function. It is an opportunity to explore our selves as single cells that collaborate for a common purpose. CO|LAB as an event will invite guests to enter and experience students’ work as individuals and as a collective.”

Based around the idea of collaboration being integral to all design processes, students’ work will be displayed on custom-designed mega-light boxes – as a collective - or intimate stands - as individual cells linked together. Multi-media and light will play important roles in the creation of the exhibition spaces and experience.

Next week we’ll post more about the process of developing the exhibition design – stay tuned!

DCE presents Final Year Students - MELANIE REID

Who are your major design influences in the world of interior design?

International: Frank Lloyd Wright, Victor Horta, Vemeer Pantone, Alv

ar Alto, Francine Houben

Local and current: Mia Feasy, Daniella Rowles

Baci Bar project

What is your design philosophy?

Integrity is at the heart of everything that we as people do best, to me design is about the role of integrity in the built environment.

Sweet art view of space from entry

What area of design would you like to work in upon graduating?

I like to try my hand at residentail and commerical spaces. Homes have always interested me becuase our dwelling spaces are so important to each of us as human beings. I think the commercial environment is an interesting and dynamic place to work becuase major corporations are now expected to provide engaging spaces for their employees and clients.

Staircase project

DCE presents Final Year Students - KARINA MUELLER SEWELL

Who are your major design influences in the world of interior design?

Chris Lee is a guy from Singapore who I studied for an assignment last year. I couldn’t possibly put what he does into a box. That’s what I love about him. His world is not just interior design but design full stop. It’s great to let your creativity lead you, not just be bound by what you know.

Of course I couldn’t go without mentioning Tadao Ando. Light and Shade what great tools to work with!

Aloi Wine Bar Project

What is your design philosophy?

I always appreciate the simpleness found in a good design. The way a complex concept or need can be picked apart until only its essence remains. Designing is all about finding a simple element that makes a grand statement.

Choosing the power light and shadow over a need for colour and pattern.

Formations that are sculptural yet always serve a purpose.

A space that transforms and holds meaning each time you enter it.

I like to take the time to let my ideas expand as I draw from the world around me. It’s about the transition of thoughts as something very real is abstracted and begins to take on emotions and life.

Museum Of Senses Project

What area of design would you like to work in upon graduating?

This is a tricky one to answer…it’s hard to feel that in three years I’ve covered enough to understand where I want design to take me. I hope it leads me to place where I am able to design for the community not just the individual. The world is at a great place where it is starting to rethink the importance of designing for society and the environment and I would love to be part of it. Big dreams but I suppose you have to start somewhere..

Other Projects