Announcing the winners of the first Formica Formations Design Competition
Formica Group launched a student furniture design competition this year, asking entrants to design a piece of furniture to help 'create a better life'
Words by Sophie Tolhurst
Earlier this year interior surfaces manufacturer Formica Group launched a furniture design competition, 'Formica Formations' for students across Europe to create a piece of furniture incorporating Formica® laminate, designed with the intention to 'create a better life.'
The submissions received were impressive, as judge Renee Hytry Derrington, international design lead at Formica Corporation explains: 'The Formica® Formations Design Competition this year represented the creativity and resilience of today’s young designers. The original challenge to design furniture "to change our relationship with spaces" is now more important than ever and the top winners each proposed solutions for today’s new world.'
Joining Derrington on the judging panel were Eva Hoernisch, design manager and group creative product director at Formica Group, and Nina Bailey, the group's UK design manager. The winner and runners up are: In first place Miriam Antón Ganzález, from INSENIA Design School in Madrid, with 'Working Station'; in second place is Paloma Canseco Muñoz from IED University in Madrid with 'Tsukuru'; in third place is Evanthia Lerodiakonou from Nottingham Trent University with 'Entangled'. As the winner, Miriam Antón Ganzález will receive an iPad Pro and a €1150 voucher.
Winner: Miriam Antón Ganzález
Project: Working Station
University: INSENIA Design School, Madrid, Spain
Description: A compact work station to be closed when work is over to display layered and routed ColorCore laminate design
Judges' comments:
Judge Renee Hytry-Derrington comments, 'Miriam Anton created a beautiful piece that bridges between office and home, so needed in light of new ‘work at home’ requirements. The project was elegantly rendered and detailed, beautiful to look at as well as to work on, changeable from an art piece to a working desk.'
Nina Bailey adds, 'The Working Station stood out to me, not only for its beautiful doors but also for its multifunctional use. The piece is a great response to the current times of working remotely from our homes and how we need furniture and space to be adaptable. I admire the look for its close link to nature with its natural palette and tree pattern on the doors. I can see this piece working well in a home environment where the piece of furniture becomes your office and at the end of the working day the doors are closed to hide away the desk and reveal a well-designed artwork.'
Second Place: Paloma Canseco Muñoz
Project name: Tsukuru
University: IED University, Madrid, Spain
Description: A modular system for children to create and play with furniture design
Judges' Comments:
Renee says that the design possibilities are endless, 'as Paloma created a flexible furniture system that incorporated colourful interlocking shapes to create various furniture pieces. Changeable for any type of commercial or home environment.'
Nina thinks it is a beautiful concept and described it as 'a really intriguing product. The interlinking shapes encourage the consumer to become the designer; Tsukuru provides the tools to further create. The palette selected and Younique pattern design is iconic and playful. I believe this product would be a beautiful and lasting addition to any home.'
Third Place: Evanthia Lerodiakonou
University: Nottingham Trent University, UK
Project Name: Entangled
Description: Furniture for waiting areas allowing adults to sit in comfort while children play in close proximity.
Judges' Comments:
Renee comments, 'Evanthia Lerodiakonou developed a noble theme, to create furniture that works for both small children and their parents. To sit, lie down, play on, wait on, Entangled represents the new blurring of furniture functions.'
Nina praised its uniqueness and said, 'Entangled is a unique idea that brings together adults and Children in waiting spaces. I believe this product would be a great addition to airport zones and gates; allowing adults to recline and relax whilst children have their play zone close by.'
