Canadian students have historically fared very well in the FORM Student Innovation Competition created by Formica Canada, nabbing accolades for seven years in a row, including this year’s 2026 edition.
Kassandra Avila from Cégep de Trois-Rivières, Québec, won first place for her creation, VIVO. “I knew there were a lot of entrants and that the level was high, so I really didn’t expect to win. I’m very proud of my project, where every detail was carefully considered and optimized, and the fact that the judges appreciated and recognized the quality of my work is extremely rewarding,” said Avila.
The Foam, by Émile Tessier, from Cégep Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec, tied for second place with Vania Lau from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, for Lumine.
Third place went to Nicholas Luter from Ringling College of Art & Design in Sarasota, Florida, for his design, The Pylon Pets.
For this ninth edition, students were challenged to design a furniture piece interpreting the theme of “Mood-Boosting Design.” The 303 submitted designs demonstrate how bold colours, unexpected colour combinations, and layered textures can bring meaningful, mood-boosting spaces to life.
The designs were required to incorporate three or more Formica-brand FENIX Innovative Materials, or other products from the Formica portfolio of Surfacing Solutions and could be used in residential or commercial settings.
“The FORM Student Innovation Competition continues to strongly engage students and educational institutions across Canada. This year, 126 projects were submitted by Canadian students, demonstrating both a high level of creativity in interpreting the theme and remarkable rigor in concept development,” said Christelle Locat-Rainville, marketing director at Formica Canada.
“We would like to congratulate all participants for their dedication and the quality of their work, and especially Kassandra Avila from Cégep de Trois-Rivières, the grand prize winner of this edition, as well as Émile Tessier from Cégep Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, who distinguished himself by earning a tie for second place. Year after year, the caliber of submissions continues to rise, reflecting the talent of emerging designers and the strength of the future of the design industry.”
Avila’s entry, VIVO, is a versatile furniture piece, primarily designed for children, that supports a range of activities. It also encourages creativity, play, and self-expression, while fostering independence and exploration. Thoughtfully designed for children of varying sizes, its components can be arranged to suit different needs and engage users in multiple ways. With its rounded forms and soft blue and white palette, VIVO aims to create a calming, luminous atmosphere that inspires joy.
“VIVO stood out for its sophisticated and thoughtful use of Formica Laminate, both in its form and use of colour. Each piece works beautifully on its own while also contributing to a cohesive system,” said Ayse Birsel, competition judge and industrial designer.
Tessier’s The Foam draws inspiration from the light, fleeting quality of soap suds to create a playful, practical furniture piece designed to spark wonder, encourage creativity, and support short-term activities in educational and child-focused spaces. Lau’s Lumine is an all-in-one bedside table designed to create a calm, clutter-free nighttime experience with a built-in lamp emitting a gentle glow and features a pull-out lap desk with integrated storage.
Third-place prize winner Luter’s entry, The Pylon Pets, is a versatile seating system featuring stylized dog and cat silhouettes inspired by Art Deco geometry. Blending whimsical sculpture with everyday function, the stackable chairs are designed to make seating a playful experience and bring joy to kid-centric public spaces.
The competition winners will receive cash prizes and will be invited to attend NeoCon, taking place from June 8 to 10, 2026, at The Mart in Chicago. There, the grand prize winner will have the opportunity to see her design brought to life.
In addition to attending NeoCon 2026, the winning students will also be featured speakers as part of the official show program.
Honourable mentions for the other top 10 finishers include Maryssa Baril from Dawson College, Fátima Cervantes from Universidad de Monterrey, Faith Schneider from Ohio State University, Miguel Angel Aguilera Saenz from Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Natalie Darbonne from Middle Tennessee State University, and Grace McCoy from Ohio State University.
For more information, click here.