By Nicole Economos
With Christmas looming, the question of gifts is starting to play on many people's minds. And there may be a solution to the usual present suspects with the Big Design Market set to transcend for an inaugural event in Sydney and for the fourth time in Melbourne.
The three-day festival, boasting over 200 creatives, pools some of the region's best independent and sustainable designers in one place, including many females from around Australian and New Zealand.
The three-day festival features several workshops and more than 200 creatives.
The goal of the Big Design Market, according to director Simon Obarzanek, is to create a platform for attendees to connect with high-calibre designers whose presence is usually only in their home state.
"Built on the premise of celebrating independent creatives and high-calibre designers this really is an opportunity to find original designs that are alternatives that the commercialised products found in shopping malls," Obarzanek said.
There are 200 creatives showcasing products and design.
"A lot of our designers up-cycle and hold responsible sustainability practices. It is something we hold as very important so we screen all our applicants. Many of the high-renowned designers know each other and have gone away from previous events ready to collaborate and share ideas to create classic quality designs that are not always easily accessible."
Here are four female creatives to look out for:
Beci Orpin
Multi-disciplinary designer and author Beci Orpin has created artwork for a broad spectrum of cliental including fashion house Gorman, Universal music and Mount Franklin. Obarzanek has labelled the former owner of label Princess Tina, "one not to miss", with the artist publishing several DIY books that include fun activities such as "How to create a giant wall sprinkle". At the markets, Orpin's quirky pastel designs will be showcased alongside a workshop in stamp-making and on the spot collages.
Sibella Court
The award-winning author, stylist and host of her own show, ABC's Restoration Australia, has worked with international brands including Jo Malone, Saks on Fifth as well as magazines and restaurants across Australia. Court will be running a Colour Box Styling Workshop to assist people with creating the perfect interior design scheme in accordance with their personality. "Sibella has asked attendees to bring a shoebox of their favourite possessions and from here she will create a style sheet and colour palette that is authentic to who they are," Obarzanek said.
Bridget Bodenham
Obarzanek has labelled Bodenham the "poster-girl of the markets", with the ceramic artist amassing a large cult following despite her underground work. Living and working in a collection of double-storey ship containers overloading her veggie patch on the side of a hill two hours out of Melbourne, the ceramicist's bold and bright work disregards "joining any corporate scheme", rather bringing to life her connection to surrounding landscapes with the tone and textures in her work.
Penny Ferguson
Known for her youthful pastel designs, Ferguson of Min Pin is known for her experimental outlook into design, never settling for crafting designs in one medium. She has been commissioned to create a magical forest installation that will bring to life illustrations from her book, Wild Lumploaf. Whether it is with paint, pencil, pixels or plastic, her quirky characters pop out in pastel hues that will bring out the child at heart. Children will also be able to create their own Wild Lumploaf mobile to take home.
Sydney: 25-27 November, 2016 – Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park
Melbourne: 2-4 December, 2016 – Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens