Embargoed until 6pm tonight.

The Member for Bass, Michelle O'Byrne, today launched the Design Island 2012 program, an exciting initiative to showcase the talents of Tasmanian designers on the national stage.

Ms O'Byrne said Tasmania had a history and reputation of excellence and innovation in design.

"Design Island 2012 is all about excellence and innovation - it will seek out and promote Tasmanian designers that go that extra step," she said.

"The program will see 16 Tasmanian designers showcased at Design:Made:Trade in Melbourne next month, which is a huge opportunity to promote and sell the state as a design destination."

Tonight's event was held at the Design Centre Tasmania in Launceston where Ms O'Byrne also launched a 90 page Design Island publication highlighting the state's design sector.

"The Design Island 2012 publication is a wonderfully designed item in itself and a great promotional and informational opportunity for showcasing all that Tasmanian design has to offer."

Design Island 2012 is organised by the Tasmanian Design Alliance, with support from Arts Tasmania and the Australian Government and sponsors. The Tasmanian Design Alliance is a strategic partnership of Tasmanian design bodies, design educators and individual designers.

The full list of selected designers participating in Design Island 2012 and images of their work are available at http://www.design-island.com.au/2012-design-island-participants/