The 2026 Vivid Awards: A Celebration of Australia's Emerging Design Talent
The Vivid Emerging Designer Awards, Australia's longest-running competition for emerging designers, has once again shone a spotlight on the country's most promising talent. This year's winners showcase a diverse range of skills and styles, from furniture and lighting design to innovative concepts and student projects.
One of the standout winners was Jacqueline Kaytar, whose 'Bark' stool took home the Judge's Choice Award. Inspired by the deeply furrowed surface of ironbark, Kaytar's piece is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, combining cast aluminium with a natural, organic aesthetic. Cassie Hansen, a Vivid judge and editor of InteriorsAu, praised Kaytar's work, highlighting its beauty, memorability, and market potential.
The awards also recognized a range of other talented designers, including:
- Furniture: Lachlan Mackay & Veronica Paiva (Second Subject), Reece Patterson (Whistle Cabinet)
- Lighting: James Morando (Linea), Rosie Licence (Sap Lamp)
- Object: Noah Corban (Three Flow), Tom Summers (Soft Plane I + II Wall Hooks)
- Concept: Alex Berecz (HAL), Steel Issoufson (Second Skin Modular Wearable System)
- Colour: Carl Brosen (Loom Arm Chair), Tara Burgess (Imprint on Me)
- Student: Noah Corban (Three Flow), Nina Lewis (Recession Coffee Table), Sam Short (Corded Bench)
The judges, comprising a diverse group of industry experts, included Dan Barker, Mark Bailey, John Bastiras, Filip Bjazevic, Bree Banfield, Cassie Hansen, Georgina Greenland, Daniel Dalla Riva, Suzanne McNeice, Simone Pittella, Anne-Maree Sargeant, Ruby Shields, and Lauren Treloar. Their collective expertise and insights ensured a fair and thorough evaluation of the entries.
The 2026 Vivid Awards not only celebrate the winners but also serve as a platform to showcase the diverse talents of Australia's emerging design community. The competition's focus on early career designers is crucial for nurturing the next generation of creative minds and ensuring the continued growth and innovation in the design industry.
For those eager to explore the finalists' work, the Decor and Design website (https://decordesignshow.com.au/2026-vivid-winners/) provides a comprehensive showcase, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the creativity and talent that emerged from this year's competition.
In my opinion, the 2026 Vivid Awards are a testament to the power of creativity and innovation in the design world. The winners' diverse styles and approaches demonstrate the endless possibilities within the field, and I am excited to see how these talented designers continue to evolve and shape the future of Australian design.
