Pratt students chosen to show at icff for third year in a row

Industrial Design Student Work Created in Collaboration with Renowned Italian Furniture Firm Cappellini Envisions Updates to Classic Designs

Pratt Institute’s Department of Industrial Design, in collaboration with renowned Italian furniture firm Cappellini, will present an exhibition of furniture designs as part of the 23rd annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) from May 14–17 at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

Pratt was one of nine design schools selected to exhibit at this year’s show by GLM, the producer and manager of the ICFF. This is the third year in a row that Pratt was selected to exhibit.

Pratt’s Department of Industrial Design was chosen for its theme, “Perpetual Motion,” which was conceived by Pratt ICFF lead faculty advisor Mark Goetz  (B.I.D. ’86) to challenge his graduate students and adjunct assistant professor Tim Richartz’s (B.I.D. ’86) undergraduate industrial design students to create modern and innovative furniture and lighting design prototypes that remain rooted in boldly disruptive ideas, while keeping the dynamism of design moving into the future.

Several of the most successful student designs will be on display at ICFF as selected by a team of esteemed designers and industry professionals invited by Cappellini representative Frederick McSwain, who provided guidance to the students throughout the creative process.

“The premise of ‘Perpetual Motion’ is to look at the future of furniture design by coming up with fresh, new ideas that incorporate technology and sustainability and that potentially envision updates to classic designs for the future. Pratt has an outstanding reputation for creative design thinking and innovation and is uniquely suited for this challenge,” says Goetz. “We were thrilled that Cappellini, a company well-known for nurturing young designers, helped to guide and advise us in this endeavor.”

Each year GLM mounts the design schools’ exhibitions, inviting the world’s leading design academies and the brightest of the next generation to submit student work for juried review. This year the exhibition shows off six student projects that will serve as a signpost for evolving trends. While still emphasizing the analytical, problem-solving process essential to design, several of the exhibitors also address the global nature of today’s design collaborations and the calculus of practical mechanics necessary for such collaborations to work well.

GLM provides each school with a complimentary 200-square-foot  booth for housing its exhibition. In addition to Pratt, eight other schools will participate including Maryland Institute College of Art, University of Washington, Rhode Island School of Design, Philadelphia University, San Jose State University, University of Lincoln, University of Oregon, and The University of Tokyo. 

Also showing at ICFF will be:

George Nakashima Woodworker, S.A.
Pratt exhibition design students under the direction of interior design professor Jon Otis designed the booth for esteemed furniture maker George Nakashima Woodworker, S.A.

Off-Site Exhibitions:

 “Fraternal Twins” Exhibition
Moss
150 Greene Street, Manhattan
May 16–June 30; Public Hours: Monday–Saturday, 11 AM–7 PM

An exhibition of metal sculptures and designs by Pratt professor of architecture Haresh Lalvani (M.S. ’72) and Pratt industrial design graduate Chen Chen (B.I.D.’07).

ICFF is North America’s singular showcase for contemporary design. Almost 600 exhibitors will display contemporary furniture, seating, carpet and flooring, lighting, outdoor furniture, materials, wall coverings, accessories, textiles, and kitchen and bath for residential and commercial interiors, with over 24,000 visitors expected from around the world.

The fair is open to the trade Saturday, May 14 through Monday, May 16 from 10 AM to 5 PM and is open to the trade and general public on Tuesday, May 17 from 10 AM to 4 PM For ticket information, please visit www.icff.com.

Please consult the ICFF guide upon arrival at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center for booth locations.