In December 1963 the Industrial Design Council of Australia began to review Australian products for inclusion in the Australian Design Index. These products received the Good Design Label and in 1964 the first label appeared on Australian designed and made articles. This label could be affixed to a product in the marketplace for three years.

Products examined included light fittings, floor coverings, hand tools, builders hardware, domestic hardware, furnishing fabrics, plumbers brassware, domestic and office furniture. A panel of experts examined each product and their findings were reported back to the manufacturer. Those who didn't meet the standard for inclusion in the Index were provided with constructive criticism on how to improve their products and given the opportunity to resubmit. This process was seen as a way of improving the Australian design standards.

In this first year the evaluation criteria were
-the general standard of manufacture - including attention to detail and finish
-suitability of the materials used
-durability of the product - within a price range
-construction
-comfort in use - including safety factors
-overall external appearance

The earliest Good Design label product in the Museum's collection is Mitzi Chair by Grant Featherston from 1964 for Furniture Makers of Australia - part of a range of chairs, stools and table and one of many that this designer had featured in the Design Index. The Design Index was published and as new items were added it became a permanent and growing record of Australian designed and made products. Other products receiving the Good Design Label in this year were: Shepherd castor, Fler lounge chair, electric jug, Crown Corning 'Festiveware' casserole dishes, welding blowpipe and a Caroma toilet cistern.

The Good Design Label and Australian Design Index continued until 1976 and were replaced by the Australian Design Award in 1977.

Angelique Hutchison
Curator
May 2008

References
Industrial Design Council of Australia Annual Report 1963-1964
Curedale R., The development of industrial design consulting in Australia, Masters of Design thesis, University of Technology, Sydney, 1990

+ Australian Design Award
+ Product design
+ Australian product design

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