Deakin projects win gold at Good Design Awards

Dr Tonya Meyrick and Dr Russell Kennedy took home gold for their work on Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria: Integrated Wayfinding System and Professor Stefan Greuter for the art installation Passing Electrical Storms.

The Australian Good Design Awards highlight top-tier design and innovation on a global stage. This year’s theme 'The Design Effect' focuses on pushing boundaries, fostering close collaboration, challenging traditional norms and leveraging creativity to positively impact how we live, work, connect, strategise, and lead.

Dr Tonya Meyrick senior lecturer in Screen and Design with the Faculty of Arts and Education, and Dr Russel Kennedy Associate Head of School (International and Partnerships) with the Faculty of Arts and Education, were awarded gold in the Communication, Branding and Identity category for Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria: Integrated Wayfinding System.

This project represents a new wayfinding and interpretation system for the Royal Botanical Gardens, integrating physical and digital system and applying the International Indigenous Design Charter (IIDC) and a First Peoples-led approach.

The project was developed by Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Studio Binocular, Aspect Studios, Greenaway Architects and Deakin University.

Professor Stefan Greuter’s Passing Electrical Storms was awarded gold in the Digital Interface category.

Passing Electrical Storms is a virtual reality art installation that immerses participants in a powerful experience that simulates the dying process, guiding participants from cardiac arrest through cosmic expanses to the edge of the universe.

The project was commissioned by the National Gallery of Victoria for Melbourne Now and developed in collaboration with Shaun Gladwell and the Deakin Motion Lab, directed by Stefan Greuter and designed by Matthew Jigaling, Gerard Mulvany, Leigh Russell, Scott Jackson and produced by Leo Faber.