Brisbane designer, Robert Geddes, is the 2008 Smart State Designer of the Year.

Queensland Arts Minister, Hon Rod Welford, made the announcement at the qdos Awards galin Brisbane on Friday the 13th June, presenting Mr Geddes with a $5000 travel bursary.

The Smart State Designer of the Year Award recognises a career of design excellence (Queensland only) as well as skill through a specific project or range of projects.

As Director of Brisbane firm PROdesign, Mr Geddes has had more than 25 years industry practice designing products ranging from medical devices through to initiating the Electric Vehicle Project.

Mr Geddes said he was delighted at receiving the award and would use it to travel to Asia and Europe to help promote the value and contribution of Queensland designers to the global economy.

Mr Geddes was one of three finalists including Brisbane jewellery designer Ari Athans and interior designer Revelyn Bryce-Browning.