Hall of Fame 2024

Nominations & Eligibility
Important Dates
Past Hall of Fame Inductees

About DIA Hall of Fame

For over 25 years, the DIA Hall of Fame program has celebrated the work of eminent design visionaries, and leaders. It is the enduring record of the pioneers and ambassadors, and their significant contribution to Australia’s economic development and cultural identity.

Induction into the DIA Hall of Fame signifies an outstanding body of work, contribution to the Australia design industry or achievement in furthering the profession. It is the ultimate industry recognition for design leaders across all design disciplines.

“Today's announcement is a testament to the enduring power of design. For over 25 years, the DIA Hall of Fame has showcased designers who shape our world. These inductees inspire us all and remind us of design's transformative power.”
— DIA President Ryan Russell MDIA RAIA
“We are thrilled to honour an exceptional group of individuals from diverse disciplines who have made a profound impact on the design industry. Spanning more than seven decades, this distinguished cohort includes pioneering trailblazers who laid the foundation for the industry we know today, as well as forward-thinking visionaries who continue to reshape and redefine it. Their collective legacy of innovation and creativity has not only advanced our industry but also enriches the broader community through their remarkable contributions.”
— Dominic Russo MDIA, DIA Hall of Fame Committee Chair

Over 140 designers have been inducted since the program’s inception in 1996. Their citations are in alphabetical order and can also be viewed by year and discipline. Inductees include Susan Cohn, Collette Dinnigan, Garry Emery, Grant and Mary Featherston, Akira Isogowa, Khai Liew, Marc Newson and many more.

Nominations and Eligibility

Anyone can nominate a member of the design community for the DIA Hall of Fame. Nominations are open for Australian designers who have made a significant contribution to Australia’s economic development and cultural identity. Nominations to the DIA Hall of Fame are not required to be current or past DIA members though membership is always encouraged.

In ensuring that the DIA Hall of Fame is representative of our diverse design industry, the DIA welcomes nominations of individuals from various geography, cultural, age, gender and ability backgrounds. All nominations are strictly confidential, and the person being nominated should not be advised of the nomination or approached for information.

To find out more about the nomination process please email community@design.org.au

Before nominating, please review this Information Pack. Submitting a nomination is deemed to be an acceptance of the DIA Hall of Fame Terms and Conditions.

2024 Hall of Fame Inductees

Bruce Hall

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
Bruce Hall was an industrial designer and educator who designed radios and televisions for A.G.Healing. His record player model 201G 'Hit parader" was awarded a Good Design Label and also selected by Robin Boyd to represent Australia at the Montreal Expo 67.
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Robyn Lindsey

INTERIOR DESIGN
Robyn Lindsey is a highly experienced, innovative and inspiring design leader who challenges design thinking to deliver authentic and future facing outcomes.
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Steve Martinuzzo

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
Steve Martinuzzo is a product design and development professional of over 30 years, who challenges design thinking to create socially responsible and user-centred products.
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Les Mason

GRAPHIC DESIGN
Graphic designer and art director Les Mason was as much a successful designer in his own right as he was a provocateur, catalyst and protagonist in Melbourne’s burgeoning design scene. For more than thirty years, Mason demanded that the graphic design community and broader industry acknowledge the discipline as a fully formed profession.
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Ross Renwick

GRAPHIC ARTIST, WRITER AND FOUNDER
Ross Renwick was a graphic artist, writer and co-founder of Billy Blue Creative, Billy Blue magazine and later, the Billy Blue School of Creative Arts. His graphic work was published internationally and locally.
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Kirsti Simpson

INTERIOR DESIGN
Kirsti Simpson is the Studio Executive Chair and Global Leader of Workplace Interiors at international design and architecture practice Woods Bagot, where she is a great advocate and ally for her national and international clients.
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Hugh Whisson

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
Hugh Whisson stands out amongst the South Australian design community as a pioneer and owner of the first Industrial Design Consultancy in South Australia in 1961. He was also instrumental in establishing the SA chapter of the Design Institute of Australia, was the first DIA SA chapter President, and later, National DIA President from 1971 to 1973.
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