Powerhouse Offers a Career-defining Opportunity for Australia’s Emerging Industrial Design Talent.

Ash Fischer and Orlando Hayes developed the Camada Day Bed during last year’s Carl Nielsen Design Accelerator at Powerhouse. Photo: Daniel Goode.

The development process of Camada Day Bed. Photo: Hamish McDonald.

Powerhouse has launched a call to Australia’s early to mid-career Industrial Designers with the Carl Nielsen Design Accelerator program. This initiative nurtures the future of sustainable design, reflecting a deep commitment to environmental responsibility and creative excellence.

The program, supported by a generous bequest from influential Australian industrial designer Carl Nielsen and his wife Judy Nielsen, is a testament to designer’s legacy and Powerhouse’s forward-thinking approach. It offers a unique platform for industrial designers who are within ten years of their graduation, providing them with an opportunity to elevate their projects with a substantial support package valued at $25,000 AUD.

The essence of this program lies in its focus on sustainability—an area that has become increasingly fundamental in the design world. As Powerhouse Chief Executive Lisa Havilah explains, “Product and industrial design have been central to the Powerhouse Collection since the early 20th century. This program supports our ambition to connect industrial design with our collection while aligning with our mission to foster local sustainable design innovation.”

The 2024 iteration of the accelerator promises to be as impactful as the inaugural program held in 2023, with a selection panel including Powerhouse Curator Angelique Hutchison, Nielsen Design Associates Director Adam Laws and Industrial Designer and Founder of IDX SYD Ed Ko. The chosen project will benefit from not just financial support, but also specialized industry-level assistance in areas like production, mentorship, research, and outreach, enhancing the designer’s ability to bring sustainable solutions to market.

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Last year’s recipients, Ash Fischer and Orlando Hayes, are the perfect examples of the program’s potential. Their Camada Daybed project not only moved towards production under Adam Goodrum‘s mentorship but also showcased the transformative power of design. Goodrum reflects on his experience, stating, “It has been an honour to be a mentor for the Carl Nielsen Design Accelerator. This initiative holds immense value, recognizing the challenges and costs of bringing a project to life, especially during the early stages of a career.”

This year’s applicants have until 5 pm on 28 June 2024 to submit their projects, with the winner to be announced at Sydney Design Week in September 2024. The potential for inclusion in the prestigious Powerhouse Collection and participation in Sydney Design Week offers an exceptional opportunity for rising designers to showcase their talents on a significant stage.

Carl Nielsen Design Accelerator not only honours the legacy of a pioneering designer but also propels new talent towards making meaningful impacts through industrial design. For more information on how to apply, click here.

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Left: Last year’s recipients Ash Fischer and Orlando Hayes. Photo by Hamish McDonald. Above: Industrial designer Ed Ko at Powerhouse Late: Industrial Design, who is part of this year’s accelerator selection panel. Photo by Andy Roberts.

[Images courtesy of Powerhouse.]