BLACK PINS
FISHER & PAYKEL HEALTHCARE
The decision to award a Value of Design Black Pin to an organisation for the first time reflects the contribution design makes to our country’s economy, says DINZ chief executive Cathy Veninga. “Design contributes to a resilient, thriving economy – a contribution we calculated in 2017 at over $10 billion annually. Recognising and celebrating our design champions is important so that we don’t take this contribution for granted."
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare was chosen for the inaugural Value of Design Black Pin from a shortlist of organisations that had previously been recognised in the ‘Best Effect’ category, including Goodnature, Rinnai, BNZ, Barkers, Les Mills and TVNZ.
The company gets really close to their users in testing. For example, it has tracked how people sleep at their sleep labs to understand how to make its sleep apnoea masks more comfortable and effective.
“This characterises their focus and motivation to help patients; it’s very easy to see how invested they are in design outcome – literally saving lives. It is this drive and design intent that has seen their global customer base grow to over 14 million,” Best Design Awards judge Noel Blackwell says.
“Theirs is a story of New Zealand success on the world stage, and the heart of this success is a commitment to care by design.”
Annie Dow
In awarding the DINZ Black Pin for Outstanding Achievement to Annie Dow, Cathy Veninga says it is an honour to turn the tables and give something back to someone who has given so much to the design industry over the last 25 years.
“Annie’s tenacity, her passion for design, her smarts and her generosity have not only enabled her to grow her own business, but provided opportunities for generations of New Zealand designers to grow their own talents. At 25 years young, Dow Goodfolk is a highly awarded studio, a highly regarded strategic business and a highly respected ‘proving ground’ for many, many committed designers.
“Annie is a survivor who’s fought hard for the respect she has as a business woman, and is valued by our industry as a strong advocate for design generally, and also for women in design – notably by walking the talk as an employer and also hosting her inspiring Ladies Nights.”
Annie’s tenacity, her passion for design, her smarts and her generosity have not only enabled her to grow her own business, but provided opportunities for generations of New Zealand designers to grow their own talents.
Clive Fugill
Fugill has devoted over half a century of service to the New Zealand Mãori Arts and Craft Institute, the last 36 of these as Tumu Whakarae, or Master Carver. One of the first seven successful applicants accepted to the New Zealand Mãori Arts and Crafts Institute’s carver training course in 1967, Clive credits his longevity to the teaching of his own teacher.
“I’ve stayed on with the Institute over the years only because our master, John Taiapa, who was the first master of the school, said to us that you’ve come here to learn the art and to pass it on. And that’s what’s kept me inspired to do what I do.”
Cathy Veninga says given the strong sense of place that emanates from Fugill’s work, it is entirely fitting that the Institute has awarded the John Britten Black Pin for outstanding leadership, vision and achievement to a Mãori artist for the first time.
“As Te Puia’s Master Carver since 1983, Clive has not only taken Mãori art to the world, but embraced the responsibility of ensuring that the skills, knowledge and tikanga of Mãori design are not lost here at home,” says Veninga.
“He is an inspiration not only for carvers, but for all designers who seek to retain the kaupapa of design as they employ new technology to work across a variety of new media.”