Vanessa Lam
7 December 2015: University of Canberra industrial design student René Linssen has trumped young creatives nationwide by winning the inaugural 2015 Vogue Living Alessi Emerging Designer Prize.
The new award from Vogue Living magazine and Italian design house Alessi recognises fresh Australian design talent and is open to final year students and recent graduates.
Mr Linssen entered 'POD', a design he worked on as part of a second year assignment, which reimagines a traditional mortar and pestle as a sleek and functional spice grinder.
He said students had to look at an activity in the kitchen and improve it with a handheld product.
"I noticed that mortar and pestles are quite bulky and their weight makes it difficult to remove the spices," Mr Linssen said. "I was inspired to do something that would improve its functionality, as well as look beautiful because most mortar and pestles aren't really that interesting."
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Mr Linssen’s ‘POD’ design was inspired by the star anise pod spice. Photo supplied
The 22-year-old said he drew inspiration from the star anise fruit, native to Vietnam and China, which contains seeds inside pods that are ground down and used in cooking and health products.
"The pestle allows for intuitive back and forth movement, which utilises strength from the forearm instead of the wrist, giving more control," Mr Linssen explained. "The leaf-like shape allows the user to hold and stabilise whilst grinding and then pour the spices out through the groove at the end."
The now fourth-year student was awarded the prize at a special awards night last month by Alessi president Alberto Alessi and Vogue Living editor-in-chief Neale Whitaker.
As part of the prize, Mr Linssen will complete a mentorship with Australian designer Adam Cornish and a chance to present his winning design to the Alessi team in Milan.
"If they like it then it could go into production, which would be amazing," he said. "I think it is every designer's dream come true to have someone own his or her product."
The Canberra local said he didn't know much about industrial design until he began his studies at the University.
"I definitely now have the foundation, skill and knowledge that I need to pursue a career in industrial design," Mr Linssen said. "I have learned from really good teachers like Chris Hardy and Tom Skeehan, who are well known and connected in the design industry in Australia."
Set to graduate next year, Mr Linssen hopes to travel overseas and said he is interested in doing honours in the future.
"There are a lot of opportunities overseas, I'm just excited to take it as it comes and see what happens," he said.
To see more of Mr Linssen's work visit his website.
