Celebrating enduring design

Good Design Australia Calls for Nominations for the Livio Bonollo Award for Longevity.

What Australian design has truly stood the test of time?

Good Design Australia is inviting designers, manufacturers, businesses and the wider design community to nominate outstanding Australian-designed products, services and projects for the Livio Bonollo Award for Longevity, a unique accolade recognising Australian designs that have stood the test of time.

Established in honour of the late Professor Livio Bonollo AM, one of Australia’s most respected Industrial Designers, educators and champions of sustainable design, the Award celebrates projects that continue to deliver exceptional value many years after they have been designed and launched on the market, recognising outstanding design quality, durability and lasting social, environmental, cultural and commercial impact.

While many design awards celebrate what’s new, the Livio Bonollo Award for Longevity celebrates designs that have already proven themselves.

The idea for the Award was originally proposed by Dr Edward Khoury, Industrial Designer, researcher and former student of Professor Bonollo, who completed his PhD under Livio’s supervision. Dr Khoury joined fellow Bonollo PhD graduate, Dr Brandon Gien, Chair of Good Design Australia, in championing the establishment of the Award as a lasting tribute to one of Australia’s most influential design educators and advocates for designing products that last.

The inaugural recipient of the Award was the iconic PB/5 Pedestrian Pushbutton, designed by Nielsen Design Associates. Introduced more than 40 years ago, the PB/5 has become a familiar part of everyday life, helping millions of pedestrians safely cross streets in Australia and around the world. Its intuitive design, reliability and remarkable longevity made it a fitting first recipient.

Adam Laws, Managing Director of Nielsen Design Associates, said receiving the inaugural Award was a proud acknowledgement of the enduring value of thoughtful design.

“It hasn’t dated by style, and it hasn’t dated by technology. You could walk up to it today and not know it’s 40-plus years old,” said Mr. Laws.

Dr Edward Khoury said Professor Bonollo’s greatest legacy was not only the products he designed, but the generations of designers he inspired.

“Professor Bonollo taught us that good design should never be judged solely by how new or fashionable it is, but by the value it continues to create over time. Designing for longevity is one of the most responsible things we can do as designers, and this Award recognises those rare projects that continue to enrich people’s lives decades after they were first conceived. I can think of no better way to honour Livio’s legacy.”

Dr Brandon Gien said the Award reflects a growing appreciation that one of the greatest measures of good design is its ability to endure.

“Livio had a profound influence on my own thinking about design and sustainability. He always challenged me to think beyond novelty and to consider the full life of the products we create. This Award is not just about recognising great design, it’s about recognising a design philosophy that values longevity, responsibility and enduring impact. We hope it inspires designers to create products that future generations will still be using and appreciating decades from now,” said Dr. Gien.

Good Design Australia is encouraging nominations from across all areas of design, including industrial products, medical devices, public infrastructure, furniture, transport, consumer products, engineering, digital services and the built environment.

There is no fee to nominate.

Examples of eligible projects include products, services and systems that have remained in continuous use, demonstrated exceptional durability, evolved to meet changing user needs, or made a lasting contribution to industry and society through outstanding design.

More information about the Award and the evaluation criteria can be found HERE.

To nominate a project, simply click on the link below and email the name of the project to Good Design Australia by 28 August 2026.

NOMINATE HERE

Main image: 2025 Livio Bonollo Award for Longevity – PB/5 Pedestrian Pushbutton, designed by Nielsen Design Associates. Photo, Good Design Australia.