Put to the Judges
NAMU by Rising Talents designer Seok-Hyeon Yoon, nominated by Weiki Somers. Photo courtesy of Seok-Hyeon Yoon.
Maison&Objet’s Rising Talent Awards returns for the seventh year this September. Each iteration of the scheme offers an opportunity to discover upcoming designers from a given country, with the awards aiming to bring these designers to international attention.
This year, the awards’ focus is on the Netherlands. To find out more, Disegno caught up with judges Hella Jongerius, Ineke Hans, Kiki van Ejik and Weiki Somers to capture a snapshot of what went into selecting the seven Dutch designers represented in the scheme.
Image by Katrin Streiche, courtesy of Jongeriuslab.
Hella Jongerius
What qualities did you bear in mind when nominating Theophile Blandet for the Rising Talent Awards?
[I chose] someone who is an independent thinker with creative hands, who can combine these skills to solve the relevant questions of today.
What can young designers gain from participating in the awards programme?
Attention for their story and project.
From your nominations, what would you like the world to take away from emerging talent in Dutch design?
[For me it’s important to show] designers who have smart hands and who are currently delivering more academic and research-based ideas, but who also have a potential to be smart and creative to transform existing systems.
Image courtesy of Ineke Hans Studio.
Ineke Hans
What qualities did you bear in mind when nominating Visser&Meijwaard and Simone Post for the Rising Talent Awards?
I thought it would be good to pick designers with projects and an attitude that might work in a trade fair context. I also selected designers with a few years of experience who might have a bit more understanding of dealing with presenting at a design fair.
What drew you to the designers who you nominated for the award? Were there any common themes?
For me it’s important that the selected designers show that there is a lot of talent coming from Dutch educational institutions other than Design Academy Eindhoven. There were no special themes, just a request to propose some names who I thought would be worth presenting.
What can young designers gain from participating in the awards?
I think it is always good to show your work as a young designer. Even if you do not win, at least your work is seen.
From your nominations, what would you like the world to take away from emerging talent in Dutch design?
In general, I am very happy that the emerging talents demonstrate that Dutch designers are still critical, able to rethink products, rethink systems and situations, and innovate!
Image by Floor Knaapen, courtesy of Kiki van Eijk.
Kiki van Eijk
What qualities did you bear in mind when nominating Hanna Kooistra and Ruben Hoogvliet for the Rising Talent Awards?
I asked myself: "Does it make me curious? Is it daring? Is it authentic? Is it aesthetic? Is it experimental? Am I surprised by their work?”
What drew you to the designers who you nominated for the award? Were there any common themes?
They had all my criteria from above, but they also all had something playful and human, as well as something smart and whimsical.
What can young designers gain from participating in the award?
I think acknowledgement is important to keep you motivated and [help you] move onto future adventures in the design world. It is not an easy moment in time to be a young designer, so motivation is key.
From your nominations, what would you like the world to take away from emerging talent in Dutch design?
Their urge for experimentation, curiosity, daring to play, as well as perseverance and a proactive, hands-on attitude.
Image by Anne Timmer, courtesy of Studio Wieki Somers.
Wieki Somers
What qualities did you bear in mind when nominating Yoon Seok Hyeon for the Rising Talent Awards?
I like to cherish a connection with young designers through my teaching and internships at my practice. I trust in the importance that good design has on our lives and in the world, so I do my best to support talent and vision. For the nomination, I looked for a designer with a high sensibility for materials and an awareness of the environmental impact of production. A gentle soul with a gentle footprint.
What drew you to the designer who you nominated for the award? Were there any common themes?
I was drawn to their interest in the materiality and socio-cultural value of design objects, and their delicate signature. I prefer pieces that stand out not because they are loud, but because they are strong in their ethos and concept. We want design to survive trends and Instagram.
What can young designers gain from participating in the award?
You test your work when you unveil it publicly. It’s a gift to be able to speak about your work, place it in relation to other designers, and discuss it with the users. It’s a powerful way to observe it. Visibility, of course, is another huge value of the award.
From your nomination, what would you like the world to take away from emerging talent in Dutch design?
Dutch design today exists outside of its own nationality, you don’t need to be Dutch to show elements of Dutch design in your work. Dutch design is clear, conceptual, aware and often surprising. The work of the designer I selected is clear in form and functionality, and resourceful in finding innovative and sustainable materials and techniques.
Maison&Objet will take place in Paris from 8-12 September 2022.
This article was made for Maison&Objet.