The Qantas Spirit of Youth Awards (SOYA365) recently announced Henry Wilson as the 2012 Craft and Object Design category award winner.

The initiative supports emerging Australian artists, designers, and creatives.

The Craft and Object Design category attracted entries from over 170 designers, vying for the prize of a 12-month mentorship opportunity with one of the world’s foremost designers, Marc Newson.

The winner will also be sent to London Design Festival in September. The event showcases some of the world’s greatest architects and designers who have created pieces of work in a number of London’s best-loved public spaces.

Henry Wilson, the first recipient of the recently revised Craft and Object Design category has built his practice on the philosophy that design should be both built for longevity and honestly resolved.

A graduate with first class honours from the Australian National University, he also holds a Masters in Man and Humanity from the Design Academy Eindhoven in The Netherlands and is now based in Rozelle, Sydney.

A strong believer in ethical and human-centred design, Henry creates new objects as well as thoughtful and useful additions to existing objects.

He has received numerous awards, scholarships and grants for his work and exhibited in Australia, Europe the UK and USA.

"I have always followed the Qantas SOYA awards and have entered twice in the past. I was initially drawn to the award as they offer a unique opportunity to exhibit and be judged on a body of work - It is great to get a platform to share your work and be in the running for such a comprehensive prize. It really covers all the areas. Travel, media, mentor and funding”, says Wilson.

Marc Newson believes designing in Australia helped his innovative work break the traditional design mould.

“Henry’s work has a simple and fine aesthetic. Clean lines with a strong emphasis on the material and on the process involved in the making. Each piece evokes a unique and strong vision of the designer behind it. His customisation of existing objects shows both a thoughtful and creative approach”, he adds.

This year the newly rebranded SOYA365 has introduced four additional categories: Animation, Interactive Content & Gaming, Architecture & Interior Design and The Written Word.

SOYA365 is open for submissions, with one new creative category closing every month.

All submissions can be made through the new SOYA365 hub at www.soya.com.au.