Australian International Design Awards
Took it for granted? Never knew how much you needed it until it was gone? Save your excuses and get to the Powerhouse Museum, because, as far as you and innovative design go, you've a lot of making up to do. Jessica Frawley grovels
We're all guilty of taking good design for granted; trouble is when something works really well we simply forget that it exists. Try living without your mobile, iPod or a flush toilet for day and you'll soon start to appreciate their real value.
Fortunately the Powerhouse Museum gives design excellence its due with its own design award and selection as part of the annual Australian International Design Awards (AIDA).
Despite overseas competition, the AIDA of 2008 has been nabbed by homegrown Aussies, rather bizarrely for developing a personal tracking device for snow sports.
Alongside some of this year's winners the Powerhouse is also showcasing a retrospective selection of previous award winners. Iconic designs like the Wiltshire self-sharpening knife, the Décor wine cooling carrier and the "groovy" 70s-styled burnt orange Café Bar.
This year's winning designs:
AIDA of the year
The Flaik, the world's first real-time GPS tracking device. Send your ski-bunny moves straight to your phone and straight onto friends and family. Obviously designed for safety's sake, but who's complaining if you can show off that perfected ski jump?
AIDA & Powerhouse Award
"What was that you said?" Fighting hearing loss, the SP1x electronic earplug snags the Powerhouse's own prestigious award.
ADA Dyson Student Finalist
Windows that light up after dark. The illuminating lightway comes to town.
Design NSW: Travelling Scholarship
$18,000 for an emerging designer to study abroad. Put your pen away; entries closed back in July. The winner won't be announced until this Saturday. Get yourself along.
Details: Australian International Design Awards