In RMIT's signature creative style, Textile Design, Development and Production students were asked to deliver unique cushion designs that embodied the theme "past, present and future".
Students' designs pay tribute to the 130th Founders' Day Anniversary, the rapidly approaching completion of the New Academic Street Project and the ongoing emergence of the Melbourne Innovation District.
The in-class project provided the opportunity for students to glance back at the history of the University and envision how the future of RMIT will flourish with an innovative and upgraded foundation.
As Program Coordinator Deborah Wills-Ives explains, "Many students delved into historical documents to discover the early curriculum for inspiration while others focused on the key people who have worked or studied at RMIT over the 130 years".
The five winners selected put forth imaginative and innovative designs that will be displayed in the Swanston Library "Rocking Chair" room in the New Academic Street precinct. The project allows student designs to be showcased in a unique way, while a selection of them will be presented to high profile guests following the official launch of the NAS precinct.
The winning designers were Clementine O'Brien, Kate Chalmers, Derryn Duong, Rosie Packham and Oliver Page Dutton who all presented a diverse range of designs reflecting RMIT's reputation of being a leading university of design.
Five of each design have been produced by fellow textile design student Kelly Ingram, through her personal business Dot Ink textiles.
The cushions will be displayed in time for the Celebrate RMIT event on 20 September, in celebration of RMIT's 130th anniversary, the transformation of the city campus and RMIT's ongoing support for emerging enterprise and links to industry.