Australian designer wins Ski Design Comp
Ian Houghton’s winning design that will feature on TJ Schillers’ new 2010 pro model ski.
A young Adelaide Hills graphic designer has won an international competition to design the look of a new set of skis for North American ski legend TJ Schiller.
The skis which will be manufactured by French free ski company Coreupt.com, will feature a design created by Ian Houghton, a 23 year old university student from Aldgate.
Ian’s design was chosen by TJ Schiller from more than 200 entries to grace the new 2010 CoreUPT skis. TJ, who is based in Canada, announced the winner on his website on Friday (27th November, 2009).
In a video posted on his website, TJ said he was “especially stoked” that the competition had been won by the aspiring designer from Australia.
“I think he’s already pretty damn good – already there as a designer – if not he’s well on his way,” he said. “He sent in a handful of work that was all amazing stuff, I chose my favourite one out of all his stuff and I’m really stoked to see how it turns out on my skis.”
TJ Schiller is a world-renowned professional freestyle skier, who has won numerous prestigious competition events, and has also appeared in cult ski movies such as Seven Sunny Days.
In October this year he announced an international competition on his website, inviting people from around the world to submit graphic designs for a set of skis to be manufactured by his major sponsor, Coreupt.com.
TJ said that Ian “loves what he does, and it shows in his work”
“The dude’s got some mad talent. Check out his website,” he said. “I really hope that this contest supports him and gets his name out there to other companies to go check him out.”
Ian Houghton recently launched his own small design business – Ankhou.com – and hopes the publicity from the ski design success will raise his profile.
“It is unbelievable really,” he said
“I’ve never won anything at that level before. I’m very excited. It is going to be a dream come true to see my design on those skis.”
