International Research Chair: Design
Monash Art Design Architecture
Monash University Research Expertise
Industrial Design, Biography
Industrial designer Mark Armstrong is Founding Principal of Blue Sky, a leading Australian design consultancy. His commitment to design quality and innovation has resulted in a raft of Australian design awards and European IF Design awards for lighting and consumer products. Mark’s formation of a joint venture with Philips Electronics over a five-year period during the 90s, provided access to new technologies to both Blue Sky and their clients. Key commissions have included: the design of the Olympic Torch for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney; the design of new trains for EDI Rail for the Sydney network; the design of a new check in system for Qantas; and the design of next generation products for Cochlear, which amped up the product aesthetically and functionally. Mark has also directed design programs for high volume products including: whitegoods, lighting systems, garden car products and medical equipment. In addition to his involvement in creating a body of work that has showcased Australian design capabilities on a global scale, Mark has given generously of his time to shape and strengthen his profession. In 2014, Mark Armstrong was inducted into the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) Hall of Fame. Industry Experience
- Vice President of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) NSW (1995-96)
- RMIT’s Industrial Design course Advisory Board (1997-98)
- University of Technology, Sydney Course Advisory Board (2010-2011)
- Deans Advisory Board University of NSW Industrial Design Department
- Object Gallery Steering Committee (2011-2012)
- Advisory Consultant to the United Nations Philippines Government
- Monash University’s Practice Professor, Industrial Design Eva and Marc Besen International Research Chair in Design (2012)
- Design Mentor for the NSW Government Design Integration Pilot Program (2013).
