The premier event for the Australasian design community will this year be held in Melbourne’s design hubs of Richmond, Flinders Lane, Fitzroy/Collingwood and South Melbourne Friday 6 – Saturday 7 August 2010. This unique event attracts thousands of design-loving visitors each year and differs to other design events with a multi-sensory experience and buzz. Rather than housing a number of companies in standard stalls within an exhibition hall, SiD invites visitors to fully experience furniture, lighting, object, fittings, fixtures and technology showrooms of products, brands and people. Participating showrooms extend the hospitality with refreshments, informal presentations and entertainment, creating an incredible atmosphere.

I immensely enjoyed last year’s instalment of Saturday in Design (SiD) in Sydney and hope this year will be just as well-organised. Big kudos to event organiser, InDesign Group, for complimentary, branded buses and even limos to shuttle visitors between pre-determined design precincts on the day, allowing guests to hop on and off by creating their own itinerary. (You will also be happy not having to drive after sipping all cocktails and wine!)

Starting as a boutique offering for the local design and architecture industry, the event’s audience has developed to include creative professionals including interiors, industrial, graphics, textiles, lighting, landscape and fashion, as well as design students and design-savvy members of the public. Now in its 8th year, SiD is recognised on the global circuit of design exhibitions and fairs, with a number of international design personalities attending in past years, including Tom Dixon, Harald Gründl, Michael Plank and Jeffrey Bernett.

Held annually just a few short months after Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan, it is an opportunity for many to experience the latest release products from overseas brands. SiD also promotes the best local design, with up to 90 companies involved each year. The local design industry is also involved in the exhibition, through an initiative called The Project. Supporting emerging design, the Launch Pad program and exhibition invite selected finalists to take part in feedback sessions with industry members and receive feedback from an international review panel. Their products are then curated in a LaunchPad exhibition, one of the design spots to check out on the SiD map.

To all design addicts out there, I suggest registering for free online to join the creative community at this year’s event held throughout Melbourne design hubs.

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