Fred Ward

Fred Ward stands as a major figure in the history of Australian design.

Fred was a Foundation Member of the Industrial Design Council of Australia and Design consultant to Australian National University from 1949 to 1961. Following this he acted as Design Consultant to the Reserve Bank of Australia, to the Treasury, the National Capital Development Commission and to the National Library.

In 1964 he was the first recipient of the Essington Lewis Award for Outstanding Service to Industrial Design in Australia.

Prior to his sojourn in Canberra Fred’s story begins in Melbourne where he trained and graduated from Melbourne National Gallery Art Schools. Fred then worked in the design department of Myer Stores in Melbourne and later lectured in Interior Architecture at the University of Melbourne.

Fred’s life fits into two consecutive, convenient periods ­ his formative years of 1900 to 1950 in Melbourne and 1949 to 1990 in Canberra. The story of his Melbourne years have been discovered from many sources, and what is revealed is that his design philosophy was one that was not only inherent to his commissioned work, but to his lifestyle.

Fred was recognised for his outstanding contribution to the Institute and to the profession when he was awarded a Life Fellowship of the DIA. As a footnote this was due to the efforts of fellow inductee and then National President, David Davenport.