Judges Announced for Inaugural Design Competition

NEWS RELEASE

5 MAY 2011

Judges Announced for Inaugural Design Competition

Two of the judges in this year’s inaugural Formica Formations design competition have been announced and include a top local and international designer.

The Laminex Group Sales and Marketing Manager, Nicky Duggan, said she was delighted with the line-up of judges which include leading New Zealand Designer David Trubridge.

“David Trubridge has worked in the design industry for over 18 years,” Nicky said.

“During that time, he has notched up numerous accolades including being named by a French magazine as one of the top 15 designers in the world. In 2007, he was given New Zealand’s highest design award – the John Britten Award – by the Designer’s Institute of New Zealand.”

Also included on the judging panel is Formica US Vice President of Design Renée Hytry Derrington who was instrumental in initiating a similar US design event.

A third guest judge is yet to be announced although The Laminex Group is expecting that person to be an internationally recognised architect.

“Having top industry professionals from both New Zealand and overseas judging the inaugural competition is a great reflection of how well supported the competition is within the design community,” Nicky said.

“Furthermore, having a leading light like David Trubridge involved in this event will ensure that New Zealand entries are judged to a particularly high international standard.”

David said he was looking forward to judging the competition.

“I’m very interested in seeing what kind of clever designs New Zealand designers and architects can create,” he said.

“There are a number of very talented and creative professionals in this country and a strong collective of promising young designers that have great careers ahead of them. I’m certain there will be some great entries and am eager to see the finished results from the two winners.”

The Formica Formations competition was unveiled earlier this month by The Laminex Group. The competition aims to encourage both experienced and emerging designers to pit their design talents against 10 of the world’s best architects. The competition came about following a successful collaboration in 2008 between Formica US and the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Cincinnati.

“World-renowned architects were invited to design a limited collection of furniture, using Formica laminates and solid surface materials,” Nicky said.

“Ten distinctive chairs – all museum-worthy pieces in their own right - were constructed using over 420m2 of Formica product.”

Spurred on by the success of that project, Formica in New Zealand devised its own competition for local architects and designers.

The 2011 Formica Formations™ competition requires entrants to submit design drawings for a piece of sculptural furniture that would use Formica brand materials.

“The competition aims to celebrate and showcase the creativity of architects and designers throughout New Zealand.”

There are two entry categories – professional architects and designers, and emerging architects and designers. Individual and group submissions of up to four team members will be accepted. The Laminex Group will fabricate the winning design from each category for display at an official awards ceremony later this year.

Entries close on 31 July, with submissions and further information available at www.formicaformations.co.nz.

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