Our story · 1986–2026

In the making.

Forty years of shared ideas, skilled hands and Tasmanian design. From a cooperative of ten designers to today’s community of makers.

  1. A cooperative beginning

    Ross Straker founded the Designer Makers’ Cooperative, bringing ten designers together to share knowledge and resources. The idea of making together sits at the beginning of DOT’s story.

    Early DOT members outside Parliament House after presenting boardroom furniture proposals.
    Early members at Parliament House · date unconfirmed

  2. A new chapter as DOT

    The Designer Makers’ Cooperative gave way to Designed Objects Tasmania Inc. A new name carried forward the cooperative spirit of its beginnings.

    Timber table with a geometric top and metal legs, from the DOT slide archive; date unconfirmed.
    DOT slide archive · date unconfirmed

  3. Making design visible

    DOT’s early public presence emphasised commissions and the display of members’ work, connecting the workshop with a wider audience.

    Tall timber chair with a dark slatted seat and back, from the DOT slide archive; date unconfirmed.
    DOT slide archive · date unconfirmed

  4. A shared ambition

    DOT articulated a vision of working cooperatively towards a professionally and commercially vibrant design sector in Tasmania. Supporting the wider design community became an explicit part of its story.

    Tall shelving unit displaying books and printed material, from the DOT slide archive; date unconfirmed.
    DOT slide archive · date unconfirmed

  5. Talk. Do. Develop.

    “Talk Design, Do Design, Develop Design” captured DOT’s mission: a place for ideas, hands-on practice and the development of design.

    Curved timber armchair with dark upholstery, from the DOT slide archive; date unconfirmed.
    DOT slide archive · date unconfirmed

  6. People at the centre

    DOT described itself as a community of designers and makers encouraging exploration, entrepreneurship and excellence, with cooperation, mentoring and skill-sharing at its heart.

    Two people in the DOT workshop, as shared by DOT in October 2019.
    DOT workshop · Instagram, October 2019

  7. Forty years in the making

    DOT40 marked four decades of Tasmanian design at The Barn at Rosny Farm, from 11–27 September. Through Now, Legacy and Horizon, the exhibition connected contemporary work, influential practitioners and emerging designer Ollie Walker.

    Christopher Clinton’s Kozo Light and Kevin Perkins’ Quilted Eucalyptus Bench at DOT40 in 2026, photographed by Rosie Hastie.
    DOT40, 2026 · Photo: Rosie Hastie