Mar 12, 2010

NYIGF Accepting Applications for Design-Focused Divisions

White Plains, NY — Designers, artists and manufacturers are invited to submit summer 2010 market applications for three juried, design-focused divisions of the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®): Accent on Design®; A+™: The Young Designer’s Platform at Accent on Design and Handmade®. The summer 2010 NYIGF runs Saturday, August 14, through Thursday, August 19, 2010, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94.

“NYIGF defines the marketplace for design-driven home, gift and lifestyle resources,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. “Our jury process ensures that fresh, innovative talent infuses NYIGF’s existing offerings.”

Accent on Design has been the gift and home industry’s leading resource for design-led merchandise for over 25 years, and nearly 200 exhibitors across all categories comprise this dynamic collection of contemporary and innovative lines. The Selection Committee’s criteria for acceptance into this division include: original, creative and authentic product design; new and innovative use of materials; products which address and solve problems; consistent and continuous new product creations; a focus on contemporary design (as perceived by the jury); and functionality.

Accent on Design jury members include: Miguel Calvo, Design & Research; David Alhadeff, The Future Perfect; Jamie Gray, Matter; Wilma Wabnitz, Wabnitz Editions Ltd.; and Ilene Shaw, Shaw + Co! Productions.

Accent on Design applications will be accepted through Wednesday, March 31, 2010. The online form is available here.

The A+ exhibit introduces the work of a select handful of emerging designers; including students, recent graduates, or young companies, selected on the basis of design concept, creativity and originality. A+ is presented as a showcase within Accent on Design, providing young designers an affordable opportunity to expose their concepts, prototypes and finished products to the wholesale marketplace.

Applications for A+ will be accepted only from design students, recent graduates and emerging companies in business for one year or less. Designers will be juried by Accent on Designselection committee (listed above) based on design concept, creativity and originality.

A+ applications will be accepted through Tuesday, June 15, 2010. The online form is available here.

For 25 years, Handmade has offered buyers an extensive selection of handcrafted items across such categories as tabletop, ceramics, textiles, home décor, jewelry and apparel. Beginning in August 2010, Handmade’s 560 artisans from 36 American states and 14 countries worldwide will be categorized as either Handmade Designer Maker or Handmade Global Design, with criteria for acceptance into either category including uniqueness, originality, authenticity, and marketability.

Handmade Designer Maker will showcase 360 designer maker resources from across the United States and around the world, with a focus on unique crafts in all media made by the hands of the designer. Jury members for Handmade Designer Maker include: John Gilvey, Hudson Beach Glass; Michael Michaud, Table Art/Silver Seasons; Jill Schwartz, Elements/Jill Schwartz; Franci Sagar, Museum of Art & Design; Ellen Corsell, Blue Heron American Crafts Gallery; and Carol Sedestrom Ross, GLM.

Handmade Global Design will present 200 global import resources with a focus on contemporary, design-forward and commercially-viable designs applied to traditional craftsmanship from artisan workshops around the world. Jury members for Handmade Global Design are: Alden Smith, Aid to Artisans; Leslie Mittelberg, Swahili Imports; Phyllis Woods, Tribalinks; Jasperdean Kobes, Bamboula Ltd.; Ellen Dorsch, Creative Women; and Carol Sedestrom Ross, GLM.

Handmade applications will be accepted through Wednesday, March 31, 2010. The online form is available here.

NYIGF is the nation’s premier gift, home and lifestyle marketplace, with 2,800 exhibiting companies featuring an extraordinary breadth and depth of design-driven home fashion products and complementary giftware. Some 35,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 85 countries worldwide are expected. Information and registration is available online atwww.nyigf.com.