For the 11th annual year, ICFF has partnered with Bernhardt Design to introduce top up-and-coming talents to the design world, via its ICFF Studio program. The winners of this year’s competition include designers from five countries, across six design categories. Eligible designers were each required to have a working prototype that was not in commercial production, and all of the submissions were judged by industry pros, “allowing those recognized by the ICFF Studio program to stand in a class of their own,” according to ICFF. Their work was judged on aesthetics, marketability, commercial viability and the ability to be economically mass-produced.
“The selection process was extremely difficult for ICFF and the Bernhardt Design team this year,” says Kevin O’Keefe, ICFF event director. “The response to be named as part of the 2016 ICFF Studio class was overwhelming, with hundreds of submissions from around the world.”
“The quality and breadth of products we see each year continues to surprise and amaze me,” shares Jerry Helling, president and creative director of Bernhardt Design. “This year’s collection is a testament to the fact that good design transcends materials, styles and geographies. Good design is truly universal.”
The 2016 ICFF Studio class includes:
Ana Arana (Madrid), for her Gali kitchen system
Axel Bergholm (Stockholm), for his Peek lounge chair
Dee Ding (Pasadena, California), for her Ravel chair
India Hillis (Los Angeles), for her Hyperion table
Jonathan Hills (Pawtucket, RI), for his Catenary stool
Julie Hong (Glendale, CA), for her Siesta seating system
Taylor McKenzie-Veal (Chicago), for his Bow chair
Florestan Schuberth (Hamburg, Germany), for his Lunar table
Caroline Smedsvig (Bergen, Norway), for her ASK bench
Isaac Southard (Philadelphia), for his 19 Lines chair
Co * Ca’s Colin Westeinde (Providence), for his Platypus Light Series