UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 28 OCTOBER 2019
Third year BA (Hons) Product and Furniture Design student Nina Naversnik recently won the Young Furniture Makers Design Award for her desk lamp ‘Lucy’.
Organised by the charity Furniture Makers’ Company, The Young Furniture Makers’ Exhibition is an annual one-day event at the Dutch Church in Austin Friars, London, showcasing an impressive level of design talent from across the country. Nina’s desk lamp ‘Lucy’ won first prize in the Young Furniture Makers’ Design category.
The event is open to all students and gives them an opportunity to network with the members of the industry and other young design makers that are looking to make an impact on the design sector. Students are also invited to join the Young Furniture Makers group which gives them access to events and workshops created especially for them.
During the design process, Nina explored metal and its use as a material in her design. The lamp creates a sense of calmness and ease expressed through the use of 3D printing and minimal use of materials and makes a valuable addition to any home. The intriguing shape of the light reminds of an inquisitive human being curiously leaning to one side and looking at something.
Speaking after receiving the award, Nina said:
The project encouraged Nina to explore her philosophy and design language. Commenting on her win, Nina admitted that winning a prize never crossed her mind as she had seen so many strong projects by more than 150 designers.
“The best thing about events like this one is that you meet like-minded people, exchange ideas, learn from your peers and make valuable industry connections. I love to challenge myself and try new things, which is why I wanted to be part of the Young Furniture Makers exhibition. I was interested to see where my work stands in the design industry – is it good enough, what should I be aware of when presenting my work to the public, am I skilled enough to go into the design world after graduation? By taking part in events like this, I can find answers to my questions.”
The Young Furniture Makers exhibition is an exciting forum for all students of all levels – from GCSE through to postgraduate and young professionals – to show their creative designs to the top industry companies. Numerous awards and prizes were presented, including Young Furniture Makers Bespoke, Design and Innovation Awards, Industry Partnership Awards, and the Blum Best in Show Prize.
The event allows new designers to learn from the other participating exhibitors and also gain insight and valuable advice from those already working in the design and furnishing industry.