Aug 17, 2008

Accent on Design Awards Recognize 
Design Excellence 


NEW YORK, NY … Four exhibitors in the juried Accent on Design division were recognized today for design creativity and ingenuity. The awards were presented at the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF), where Accent on Design runs through Thursday, August 21.

Accent on Design awards were presented to:

Best New Product Design:
Artecnica (Los Angeles, CA), for the WirePod designed by Jors Laarman, for integrating the shape and form of electric wire into the overall design environment, freeing wires once hidden from view. The flexible gray power pod unfurls gracefully as needed to adjust for functional living space.
Best Collection:
Wabnitz Editions LTD (Columbus, OH), for its unwavering curatorial eye that nurtures up and coming designers, as well as established favorites. The assemblage of designers all demonstrate fine aesthetic and elegant design complemented by humor and whimsy. The roster includes Tarzan and Jane vases by Ettore Sottsas, Cinderella Tablecloth by Inekehans Collection, Urchin poufs by Christien Meindertsma and useless tools by Karl Zahn.
Best Booth Presentation:
J. Fold (New York, NY), for its concrete approach to displaying soft goods.
Best Booth Presentation:
sällbo design (Tokyo, Japan), for its perfect integration of product that blurs the line between display and product. 



“These award winners have risen to the top of what is already a carefully-selected showcase of the most innovative design talent,” said Priscila Onou, Accent on Design sales manager. “These products, which were selected for innovation, function, originality and design, represent outstanding design ideas, interpretations, and inspirations.”

Accent on Design, the industry’s leading resource for design-led merchandise for more than 20 years, presents a dynamic juried collection of contemporary and innovative product lines from 185 exhibitors across all categories. All exhibitors in Accent on Design are selected by an independent jury of design professionals on the basis of originality; creativity; authenticity of product design; new and innovative use of materials; functionality; consistent and continuous new product creations; and contemporary design focus.

The August 2008 Accent on Design Selection Committee includes: Miguel Calvo, Design & Research; Judy Dunne, Butter and Eggs; David Reid and James Klein, KleinReid; Ilene Shaw, Shaw + Co! Productions; and Jon Weatherman, Museum Consultant.

NYIGF is the nation’s premier gift and home accessory marketplace, with 2,900 exhibitors featuring an extraordinary breadth and depth of design-driven home fashion products and complementary giftware. Some 36,000 buyers from around the world are expected to attend.

The winter 2009 NYIGF is scheduled to run Sunday, January 25, through Thursday, January 29, 2009, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers. Additional information, registration and on-line advance planning tools are available at www.nyigf.com.