Promising Student Designs

design-schools-umbra-adSo flattered…this week I was apart of the judges panel for the Sixth Annual Umbra/Pratt Design Competition. To enter, these New York design students had to create products in the spirit of the modern home accessories firm that are innovative, useful, and feasible for production. To see the top three designs, you’ll have to wait for the unveiling at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair but to give you a sense of the talent that was in the running, here are my picks for runners-up.

design-school- flat-pack stoolsFlat Pack Stools by Alexis Liu (1st Year Graduate Student)
Efficient shipping is an obvious selling point for these stools but trompe l’oeil foot rungs make these a whimsical option for extra seating.

design-school-zapZap Bookshelf by Jesse Trentadue (1st Year Graduate Student)
Shaped like a lightening bolt, this decorative shelf will make any book collection look super-hero cool. (It would be so adorable in a little boy’s room.)
design-school easy organizerEasy Wall Organizer by Yoon Jung Heo (Senior Undergraduate student)
I’ve always wanted the Vitra Utensilo Wall Organizer but it’s pricey and, frankly, too large for my needs. This student’s design has similar qualities but I love its slim shape and pared-down compartments.

design-schools--Ray tea cup and saucerRay Tea Cup and Saucer by Suzanne Chang (Senior Undergraduate Student)
Solving the little annoyances in life, this saucer was designed in prevention of soggy crumpets! The raised spoke pattern keeps your cookie out of any Earl Grey puddles and brings modern texture to the typically smooth dish.

If you could send one of these designs to the winner’s circle, which would it be?