The prestigious award celebrates a designer “who has embraced the stated aims of the awards in the most meaningful way”.

Rogers, the principal of Andrew Rodgers Industrial Design (ARID), is the third-ever Australian designer to pick up the President’s Award at the Designers Australia Awards.

Based in the Adelaide CBD, Rogers has been a practicing industrial design for close to 40 years and has developed 300-plus products for a range of industries and purposes, including architectural products, industrial and commercial products, and household goods.

Design Institute of Australia CEO Jo-Ann Kellock said Rogers was “a multi-award winning, highly respected designer and leader in our industry”.

“His work combines the realms of art, science and engineering to demonstrate how the fully implemented industrial design process adds real value to any product,” Kellock said.

“ARID design continues to be recognised for their timely and necessary products developed for a range of clients across the areas of architectural, medical, educational, electronic, household and commercial products.

“Andrew is an exemplary designer and advocate for the profession, demonstrating through his contribution how good design can make positive change for the long term to the wider community. His philosophy and approach to design is expressed in an impressive portfolio of enduring solutions that connect technological innovation and creativity, and set the standard for our industry.”

Rogers said on LinkedIn that receiving the Award was “an incredible honour… both humbling and deeply meaningful”.

“With four decades of dedication, my mission has always been to champion the transformative power of design. This award recognises the invisible toil that underlies the creation of award-winning products, work that leaves a lasting mark on the lives it touches,” Rogers said.

“I consider myself profoundly fortunate to be part of an industry that empowers us to bring about positive change in countless lives. Whether it’s the creation of innovative devices that save lives, designs that restore sight, or products that enhance human experiences, my career has been a diverse and fulfilling journey, I’ve had the privilege of making a meaningful impact in many ways.

“This remarkable honour is not just mine; it’s a recognition of the transformative impact that design has on our world and all the people that have assisted me and the team at ARID industrial design development and manufacturing.”

Other winners at the 2023 Designers Australia Awards included architecture firm Tonkin Zalaikha Greer in the ‘PLACE’ category, Design Health Collab for an asthma treatment product in the ‘USE’ category and Deepend Group for a peer support app in the ‘INTERACT’ category.

Rogers’ passion for design started back in 1976 when a design course was introduced into the arts curriculum in South Australia. He was taught by a former Kelvinator industrial designer, and learnt that the career was an option for him.

After graduating from a Bachelor of Design, Industrial Design in 1984, Rogers got his first job in the industry at Shell. After that, he worked at Clipsal as an industrial designer where he helped form the Clipsal 2000 series of switches and power outlets which remains one of the most popular power accessories in Australia and is found in homes nationally.

He established ARID in 1998 and has been working since then on a versatile range of products for a variety of clients.

Products include street furniture that can be found all over Adelaide, optometry devices, medical products and even fridges. During the COVID-19 pandemic period, Rogers designed and delivered more than 70,000 face shields for SA Health and the general public around Australia from his CBD-based studio and workshop.

The designer is also a DIA SA NT Councillor and was awarded a DIA Fellowship in 2013.

ARID’s Embarr solution. Photo: Supplied.

Rogers’ win comes after his latest design – a bushfire detection and protection system – launched to market.

ARID collaborated with fire protection solutions company Embarr to create its Argus bush fire automated fire sprinkler control system. The solution – a strikingly designed piece of hardware – is made in Adelaide and acts as a 24/7 sentry for regional properties, providing monitoring for homes and other assets.

When a fire threat is detected, the system triggers controlled bursts of sprinklers to dampen the surroundings. If danger escalates, the system engages a fire sprinkler network until the fire threat is averted.

“This innovative solution is aimed at safeguarding properties in bushfire-prone regions,” Rogers said.

“We are thrilled to announce that the Argus system is now in full production in Adelaide and available for purchase. Notably, it has already been successfully deployed in over 50 locations across Australia.”