There is virtue in consistency. For the past decade, ICFF and Bernhardt Design have partnered each year to present the very best emerging American and global designers through the ICFF Studio program. Many in the ICFF Studio family have gone on to successful careers as entrepreneurs, designers and makers. True to form, the 10th anniversary of ICFF Studio will introduce 11 talented and ambitious young designers at the 27th annual ICFF in New York, May 16-19.
As the preeminent North American platform for emerging contemporary designers, the juried competition received a record number of entries from around the world for consideration. Submissions were judged on design aesthetics, ability to be practically mass produced, marketability and commercial viability. All submissions were reviewed by established industry professionals, allowing those recognized by the ICFF Studio program to stand in a class of their own.
Members of the ICFF Studio 2015 class – including one Canadian – are as follow:
• Jordan Tomnuk of Edmonton, Alberta, for his Divide lighting collection
• Hanna Kruse of Offenbach, Germany, for her Tarvos Kore Collection
• Fahmida Lam of Brooklyn, New York, for her Thor Daybed
• Jonah Willcox-Healey of Brooklyn, New York, for his Copenhagen Chair
• Hui Ling Cheng of Pasadena, California, for his Tui chair
• Funi Ding of Arcadia, California, for his Flow table
• Hines Fischer of New York, for his Minun Stool
• Laura Yeh of New York, for her Lattice Chair
• Jordan Tomnuk of Edmonton, Alberta, ICFF Studio finalist for his Divide lighting collection
• Tamer Nakisci of Istanbul, Turkey, for his Relax porcelain collection
• Jordi Lopez-Aguilo of Valencia, Spain, for his Gradient bookshelf
While many juried design shows feature whole portfolios, ICFF Studio displays one exemplary product by each designer in a pristine gallery-like environment.
”Each year we focus on a tightly curated group of designers and present singular objects,” says Jerry Helling, president and creative director of Bernhardt Design. “As an exhibition, Studio provides a place for visitors to relax and really engage with interesting new products and the talented people who created them.”
In May, these 11 designers will join an auspicious group of ICFF Studio participants who have gone on to prominent careers around the globe.
ICFF Studio has been a career catalyst for over 100 designers, including Los Angeles-based design entrepreneur and television personality Nolen Niu; Danish partnership GamFratesi; New York-based Brad Ascalon; and U.K.-based Magnus Long of Viable London.
“We started ICFF Studio 10 years ago because there wasn’t an American platform to promote emerging designers,” says Helling. “But Studio has become so much more than just a launching pad. The participants have become friends, colleagues and have established a network to support each other as they grow in their careers.”
ALL ABOUT ICFF
ICFF is the premier North American global Design showcase for interior furniture, seating, carpet and flooring, lighting, outdoor furniture, materials, wall coverings, accessories, textiles, kitchen and bath and fabricators, attracting more than 700 exhibitors and 32,000 attendees from around the world. The 27th annual ICFF is scheduled for May 16-19, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
For more information, visit www.icff.com
ALL ABOUT BERNHARDT DESIGN
Bernhardt Design was founded in 1980 by the 125-year-old Bernhardt Furniture Company and continues to be a leader and innovator in furniture design and production. During the past 10 years, president Jerry Helling assembled an extraordinary creative team that has positioned Bernhardt Design as one of the leading international design companies. Bernhardt Design created and sponsors an annual interdisciplinary course with the world renowned Art Center College of Design, challenging students to create world-class designs for mass production. Bernhardt Design also sponsors the ICFF Studio, a scholarship program that provides emerging design talent exposure to manufacturers, retailers and the media. Most recently, Bernhardt Design created Tools at Schools, a collaborative partnership with creative consultancy Aruliden and The School at Columbia University where the project introduced design into the school’s 8th-grade curriculum.
For more information, visit http://www.bernhardtdesign.com/