NEWS
SCOTCH ’ S BEN DALEY EXHIBITS IN TOP DESIGNS 2021
EXCELLING IN THE VISUAL ARTS
ABOVE : THE TOP DESIGNS 2021 EXHIBITION . TOP RIGHT : MR NICK MILLER WITH BEN DALEY ( YEAR 12 ). RIGHT : MS KITIYA PALASKAS
Wedged between the new and the old – the Melbourne Museum and the old Exhibition Building – the crowd gathered with growing excitement and enthusiasm . On Friday 16 April , a crisp autumn evening , Melbourne was alive with postlockdown Friday night fervour , and the entrance to the museum was crowded with proud attendees at the opening of the Top Designs 2021 exhibition . The occasion brought hundreds of strangers together in the name of excellence in design , and optimism for the next generation of designers to come .
I was fortunate enough to attend the Top Designs 2021 Exhibition launch , with Ben Daley ( Year 12 ) and his family . The exhibition was comprised of 95 works of the state ’ s highest achieving students across seven VCE design subjects . Of approximately 5000 students studying Visual Communication Design , around 15 students are selected . It is a great honour and a huge achievement to be a part of this exhibition .
The evening was full of energy and celebration , and attendees were greeted
by representatives from the Melbourne Museum and the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority , as well as parliamentarians .
The keynote speaker , Ms Kitiya Palaskas – designer and author – delivered an inspiring address on finding a path as a designer , developing resilience and maintaining a passion for design throughout a career . The overarching message across all speakers emphasised the integral role of design in problem-solving the challenges of the near future , as well as confidence and reassurance in the designers of tomorrow .
Ben studied Visual Communication Design in 2020 as an accelerated study . Passionate about design , and diligent in his work ethic , Ben took the challenges of a folio subject and the restrictions of COVID-19 in his stride . As a teacher , it was inspiring to share my passion for design with Ben , and to be met with such receptiveness , enthusiasm and respect .
Zoom after Zoom , we talked through the aesthetic and functional challenges of his designs for an environmentally-friendly
medium density apartment dwelling , as well as a brand identity design for a new eco-friendly building developer , ‘ STACKS ’ Melbourne .
Despite the obvious challenges of working offsite , Ben pushed himself to learn new programs and technologies that would extend his skillset , and lead to the highest calibre final presentations . He managed to incorporate new technologies such as laser cutting and 3D printing in his final presentations , a huge logistical feat given the circumstances . The work speaks for itself , and is well into the standard of a university level presentation .
It is was a great joy to see Ben reach the personal goal he set for the year , which was to be selected for the Top Designs 2021 Exhibition . The achievement is a testament to Ben ’ s hard work , perseverance and grit through the most trying of years .
A sample of Ben ’ s work is on exhibition in the Ken Field Virtual Gallery of Art , accessible via the Scotch College website .
NICK MILLER – YEAR 12 VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN TEACHER
40 Great Scot Issue 163 – September 2021