1st Place Pine Scales Table
Second Place Pebble Table
Third Place Jux Table
The American Society of Furniture Designers (ASFD) announced the winner of the 2011 Student Competition. The contest, announced in early September 2010, was open to junior and senior level college students enrolled in an accredited design program. They were challenged to design a production-friendly cocktail table for Phillips Collection.
Entries were judged by professional furniture designers based on presentation, creativity, use of materials, aesthetics and feasibility of manufacturing. One of the most important factors was how well the design would fit into Phillips Collection’s product lineup. The winner will have their design prototyped by Phillips and shown at the upcoming furniture markets. It will also be featured in numerous marketing and press initiatives.
Here are the results. A 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner as well as four honorable mentions. All winners and honorees will receive a free one-year membership to ASFD. 1st prize also be awarded a cash prize of $1000, 2nd prize $500, and 3rd prize $300.
1st Place Winner
Alix Armour (California State University Long Beach) “Pine Scales Table”
Judge’s comments: “Pine Scales was an excellent entry all-around. The presentation was phenomenal. The design was fun, versatile, and well developed. Alix provided renderings in many environments to help showcase the various finishes and applications. She also included helpful production drawings to explain manufacturability.” – Jason Phillips
2nd Place Winner
Joseph Sadony (Kendall College of Art & Design) | “Pebble Table”
Judge’s comments: “I thought the Pebble Table concept was well thought and really exemplified the concept of organic design. I was also impressed with the thought he gave to the manufacturing of the piece.” – Steve Hodges
3rd Place Winner
Erika Cross (University of Michigan) | “Jux Table”
Judge’s comments: “Erika's table design immediately jumped off the page and caught my eye. The mixed media was a perfect blend of materials for the contest objectives. The organic flow of the wood mixed with the sharp contemporary silhouette of the resin was stunning. She studied the company’s product line and their catalog statement "Modern lines + organic materials = The Phillips Collection point of view" and along with the contest specifications she created a one of a kind conversation piece. The scale of the table was perfect for today's occasional market and was a creative and exciting twist on a simple but very functional design. Designers must always strive to meet the clients objective and then surpass their expectations with exciting new ideas like the "Jux Table". She did all of this and more. I think Erika has an amazing career ahead of her.” – Fred Schubert
Honorable Mentions
Ellen Branz (Kendall College of Art & Design) | “Fungi Table”
Judge’s comments: “The fungi table offers a creative use of nature’s beauty in a functional object.” – Troy Hollis
Jamie Phelps (Missouri State University) | “Lack Of Table”
Judge’s comments: “Lack Of Table is a purposeful table with a well-thought-out design direction. Making use of clean lines and sleek materials, the design stood out as something we would be able to market and sell well.” – Jason Phillips
Jesse Shaw (Savannah College of Art & Design) | “Droplet Table”
Judge’s comments: “I felt Jesse Shaw’s creative way of taking the organic quality of a water and translating it into the base of a cocktail table was quite smart. The proportions were right on and overall makes comes together to an aesthetically pleasing table.” – Abby Eaton
Lacie Sparlin (Missouri State University) | “May Table”
Judge’s comments: “Lacie’s ‘May Table’ was a great entry. It was organic, manufacturable, and stylish; all of the things we were hoping to find!” – Jason Phillips
Founded in 1981, the American Society of Furniture Designers (ASFD) is dedicated to excellence, innovation, education and originality in the practice of furniture design. ASFD serves as the unified voice of the furniture design community, advocating professional practice and integrity at all times. ASFD seeks to demonstrate the value of design to the furnishings industry.