First in class

First in class

SANG A CHOI WINNER OF MIXOLOGY STUDENT FURNITURE DESIGNER OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY KI EUROPE
 
The Mixology14 Student Furniture Designer of the Year award, sponsored by KI Europe’s KICKSTART programme, has been won by Sang A Choi of Buckinghamshire New University for her innovative designs, Beehive and Pony. This award is open to any person enrolled on a recognised furniture design course in the UK. 
 
Beehive is a chest of drawers inspired by the relationship between objects, gaps and space. The concept behind Beehive is to create shadow using minimalist lines and forms. Made out of solid oak, its black finish increases the reflection and accentuates the concept.
 
Pony, Sang A Choi’s second piece, uses recycled climbing rope to create a simple bar stool. The whole concept and detailing of the stool is inspired by climbing. The frame wrapped with the rope creates curves for a seating posture similar to a saddle or harness, creating a feeling of safety and comfort while seated. A re-appropriated climbers’ carabiner is used to join the ends of the ropes beneath the seat. The blue rope goes into and out of the tubes almost snake-like, emphasising the continuous language of climbing and giving the illusion of holding the whole frame together as if by magic. 
 
Jonathan Hindle, Group Managing Director of KI in the E.M.E.A commented:
“KI are delighted to be recognising and supporting emerging talent once again through our ongoing KICKSTART programme.  Never has there been a more important time to encourage design talent to work in the furniture industry.”
 
Lynn Jones, Head of Academic Department – Furniture at Bucks New University, also added: 
 “Sang A is an amazing, fresh, up and coming designer, her award is really well deserved. Still only in the middle of her one year Master’s degree course, she has shown exceptional design ability and creative tenacity throughout her time with us at the university. Sang A, originally from South Korea, also did her degree in Furniture: Contemporary Design. Her work is always stylish, poetic and charming, each her piece is finely thought through and carefully designed to sensitively complement and respect the interiors she designs for. Full of flair and quietly fascinating with a highly original aesthetic, and very skillfully crafted, there is a serenity and professionalism to Sang A’s work that is becoming her own unique signature." 
 
Wesley George Cripps and Ian Reveley also from Bucks New University were shortlisted for the furniture products they have designed. 
Wesley George is in his second year of a degree in BA (Hons) Furniture at Bucks New University. Through exploration and experimentation with t-section steel he devised his T-Section Chair by inventing a process of bending the steel in on itself creating a lovely unique curved profile, with a portion removed to allow it to bend. His bedside reading table is designed to be a quick depositary for eBook/iPads during a night-time reading session. The folded corner of the drawer eliminates the need to open it. The vibrant red draw front references the iconic Royal Mail post box. The styling is a considered shaker/ modernist mix.
 
Ian Reveley is now in his second year on the MA Art and Design Practice: Furniture Design at Bucks New University. Inspired by an international student competition set by the Belgian carpet industry, Ian designed The Serpentine Chair. Unused samples and off-cuts of carpets which would potentially end up in landfill are transformed into a functional part of a piece of furniture. Inspired by the visualisation of a sound wave formation, he created a structure which allows the carpet to be more than just a covering material. 
 
It also acts as a cushion, removing the need for any foam material. Aesthetically intriguing, it isn’t instantly recognisable as carpet. Contrasting leather is used to fasten and protect the material and add definition to the edge of the chair. 
 
 

KI EUROPE’S KICKSTART PROGRAMME BRINGS SIX NEW MA GRADUATES TO TENT LONDON

KI Europe are the principal sponsors for the new and ambitious designers of Desixn Studio,[1] a collective of recent graduates from Bucks New University who have come together for Tent London 2014 where they will showcase their unique design talents. Each of the members of Desixn Studio have different approaches to the design process while sharing a commitment to quality, function and sustainability without compromising the aesthetics of a piece.
Jonathan Hindle, Managing Director of KI E.M.E.A and Immediate Past Master (2013 – May 2014) of The Furniture Makers’ Company, is keen to support students and new talent, recognising the positive impact that companies can make by investing in the future of design and manufacture.
 
Jonathan Hindle commented:  
“We are delighted to sponsor these six budding designers at Tent London.  Being able to showcase their work at one of the capital’s most creative festivals will propel them into the spotlight, exposing them to the industry’s leading furniture designers, manufacturers and buyers.  As a local manufacturer committed to investing in the next generation of British design excellence, we are proud to offer such unique opportunities.  It adds substance to our KICKSTART programme’s mission of supporting new talent.”  
 
KI have an established history in encouraging and supporting future designers and new talent.  In addition to participating in apprenticeships and sponsoring various industry awards for students and new designers, KI have been an ongoing sponsor of the Buckinghamshire New University MA Furniture Design Summer School since 2009.
 
KI is a global provider of workplace and educational furniture it designs and manufactures in the UK and offers good value, flexibility and design excellence.
 
About KICKSTART
Committed to supporting British design and manufacturing, KI sponsors a number of initiatives under its KICKSTART programme.  Since 2009 KI have been an ongoing sponsor of the Buckinghamshire New University MA Furniture Design Summer School, giving students a unique opportunity to work on a design brief co-written by KI, Italian furniture company Lago and Buckinghamshire New University. Traveling to Lago’s facilities in Cittadella, Italy, students gain a unique taste of employment as designers for a week. KI also recognises emerging talent through the Mixology Student Furniture Designer of the Year award, and participates in the apprenticeship scheme with groups of students visiting a number of KI’s factories around the UK.
 
 Please visit the KI website, www.kieurope.com
 

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