An Australian design agency has won big in the digital category of the internationally-renowned Fedrigoni Top Applications Awards in Italy. Studio Brave in Melbourne has taken out the HP Indigo category, which was specifically dedicated to projects printed with HP Indigo digital printers.
Globally recognised Italian paper manufacturer Fedrigoni opened their awards to international entrants for the first time last year. The awards cover five categories – the HP Indigo Category, Book Publishing – Hardback, Book Publishing – Paperback, Corporate Publishing and Packaging. Designers, along with printers and the customers that commission the works, are rewarded.
The competition is always fierce with brands such as Armani, Prada and Ferrari all known for using Fedrigoni speciality papers.
Studio Brave’s piece evidently shone through. Printed on Splendorgel, by Melbourne’s Bambra Press, the self-promotional print piece entitled ‘Being Brave Four’ is an eclectic mix of spectacular photography and brilliant examples of their recent works. The studio even manages to incorporate a quirky poem about Courage into their creation.
“It was fantastic to receive such an award,” says Tim Sutherland, creative director at Studio Brave. “We create these pieces to show our passion for design to potential customers, but you never think you’re going to win. We were surprised and obviously thrilled with the outcome.”
A man that wasn’t as surprised was Edward Stephenson, marketing manager at Spicers. “It just goes to show the exceptional design talent and print production facilities we have here in Australia,” comments Edward. “It truly is an amazing achievement, that out of all of the global entries, an Australian design studio won. Hopefully, Studio Brave’s win will inspire other Australian designers to enter the 2012 competition.”
To further encourage local designers and as a call for entries to enter into the next Top Application Awards, Spicers is bringing all of this year’s award winners and finalists for an exhibition of great design and print in early May. Those attending will indeed bear witness to just what can be achieved with some splendid paper by some very splendid people.
The final recto page in Studio Brave’s book bares the words: ‘Be Brave’. As Edward Stephenson comments, “If a free trip to Italy and an international award are the fruits of that attitude, then we’d be inclined to take note. On some Splendorgel, perhaps?”