NYIGF announces Accent on Design award winners

This week at the New York International Gift Fair this week, five Accent on Design exhibitors from the U.S., England and Korea were recognized for design excellence. Judging criteria included innovation, function, originality and design. The selection committee included David Alhadeff, The Future Perfect; Miguel Calvo, Design& Research; Jamie Gray, Matter; Ilene Shaw, Shaw + Co! Productions; and Wilma Wabnitz, Wabnitz Editions, Inc. The winning designers/designs are:

Excellence in Product Design: j-me (London, England) for “Float” magazine rack (photo, right) — An original design by j-me, the chrome and powder coated steel, gravity-dependent magazine rack features a sleek industrial design. The judges recognized the Float’s potential to become a new classic.  

Excellence in Product Design: Areaware (New York, NY) for “Shovel Birdhouse” — Designed by Eindhoven grad Jan Habraken, this wood and metal shovel lets birds wiggle worms from the ground through their own momentum. The judges recognized Shovel Birdhouse’s artistic and iconic form combined with function based on insight and logic. 

Bes
t Collection: Pablo (San Francisco, Calif.) for ambient, hybrid and task lighting — Since 1993, Venezuelan-born industrial designer Pablo Pardo’s designs (photo, left) have exemplified an uncompromising devotion to simplicity and usefulness, fusing the highest technical sensibilities with the most appropriate material pallet. The collection, which is both innovative and traditional, includes LED task lighting and energy-rated incandescent or halogen ambient lighting. The judges recognized Pablo’s high design, quality and technology in a diverse line of lighting.  

Overall Excellence: Eastern Accent (Sudbury, Mass.) — Masayuki Muramatsu’s Japanese modern design collection (web link via photo, right) seeks not only to introduce original Japanese modern designs to America, but also to inspire with Japan’s tradition of fine design and superior craftsmanship. The collection includes tabletop items, personal accessories and whimsical giftware. The judges recognized Eastern Accents’ superb and fresh editing that creates a serene and delightful collection year after year.  

A+ Best New Designer: Jung-woo Lee of EK DESIGN (Seoul, Korea) — Jung Woo Lee, principal product and graphic designer at EK DESIGN in Seoul, South Korea, strives to incorporate expressive design into a variety of functional office products, including cardboard file folders and USB media players. The judges recognized outstanding design from Lee, a new, up-and-coming designer.  

–posted by Susan Dickenson, retail editor, Home Accents Today