Equilibrium, WA Museum and Nick Cave website dominate the Australian Web Awards

Perth web development company, Equilibrium, in partnership with the Western Australian Museum scooped the pool at the Australian Web Awards on Friday night winning four major awards for ‘Nick Cave – the exhibition‘, including Most Outstanding website.

The site stood out from more than 200 national entries winning the awards for Best Government website, Best Not for Profit website, Best Arts and Events website and Most Outstanding website in Australia.

Commissioned by the WA Museum, the website was designed to showcase thepopular exhibition developed by the Arts Centre, Melbourne anddisplayed at the WA Museum between 23 May and 19 July, 2009. Itconsisted of a collection of images, stories, blogs, vodcasts,podcasts, interactive games and quizzes all focused on the career ofinternationally renowned musician, Nick Cave.

To further support the marketing of the exhibition, the team atEquilibrium also devised a viral email competition to encouragenational participation in the interactive quiz which encouraged readersto answer a series of Nick Cave questions for the chance to win aniPod.

Equilibrium director, Stephen Dodge, said he was thrilled with the accolades the site had received.

“We were confident we had created a great site that would be judgedwell, however this result is beyond our wildest expectations.

“The team worked diligently to combine great design, functionality andusability within the boundaries of the WA Government framework toensure a really satisfying and unique user experience,” he said.

In accepting the Award, Mr Dodge also paid tribute to the support andassistance provided by the team at the WA Museum, saying it had been apleasure to partner with such a dedicated group of individuals with aclear vision and plan for the project, as well as the commitment toproduce timely and quality content.

Acting chief executive officer of the Western Australian Museum DianaJones said the awards were a great boost for the Museum and a wonderfulend to a successful exhibition.

“The contemporary nature of the Nick Cave exhibition allowed us todevelop a new series of creative programs, marketing and onlineservices.  Equilibrium and our web team worked tirelessly to deliver afantastic site and we are delighted we have both been recognised on anational level,” said Ms Jones.

The Awards, held at the Langley Hotel, were attended by over 400 industry professionals from around Australia.

The Australian Web Industry Association said judges were sourced fromnoted web professionals specialising in a variety of areas from aroundthe country, with each site being judged on a number of criteria ofdesign, usability, functionality, accessibility, and code quality.  

According to Canberra-based judge Ruth Ellison, the task of evaluating the sites was not easy.

“Judging was tough. I think it speaks volumes about the great talent wehave in Australia – we’re competing on the world stage, ” Ms Ellisonsaid.