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Winners of FORM Student Innovation Competition Announced

Top Image: GRAND PRIZE- Alyssa Holcomb, Edmond, Okla.

March 15, 2019

Formica Corp. and a panel of judges have revealed the winners of the annual FORM Student Innovation Competition. Interior design, architecture and furniture design students were challenged to create a rendering of a “resimercial” furniture design using Formica brand products and competed to win cash prizes, national recognition and the opportunity to see their designs come to life in a public exhibit.

The winning designs were selected by top industry and design professionals, including:

• Leanne Ford, interior designer and star of “Restored by the Fords” on HGTV

• Tristan Butterfield, regional brand and retail lead at Gensler Chicago

• Jaime Velez, former director of interior design at SOM

• Renee Hytry Derrington, global design lead at Formica Group

• Steven Matijcio, former curator for the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati

The panel reviewed designs from across the U.S. and Canada and honored five up-and-coming design students, including the competition’s first two-time winner and its first Canadian winner. Two of the top designs were selected to be fabricated into furniture and showcased at the Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center March 22 through April 7.

GRAND PRIZE: Alyssa Holcomb, Edmond, Okla.
Holcomb, who is a student at the University of Central Oklahoma, received a $1,500 cash award for her Shrug Chair design. Inspired by mid-century bent plywood furniture, its curvy nature and wide arms offer more room for users to relax, and its neutral palette gives it flexibility to fit in multiple environments. The Shrug Chair will be on display at the Contemporary Arts Center exhibition in Cincinnati.

“Alyssa’s use of material and color combination shows a true mastery of her discipline,” said Butterfield. “Design should always delight, and this design makes me smile unconditionally.”

SECOND PRIZE: Rachel Marie Thompson, Sinking Spring, Pa.
Thompson received $1,000 for her “ke-li-de-skop” chair, named after the pronunciation of kaleidoscope, the classic toy that allows users to look inside and see small bits of color change shape as the instrument is turned around. The chair’s design, comfortable shape and inviting colors – including navy blue, chrome yellow and eggplant – add to its appeal. Thompson returns to the roster of FORM winners, having been named first-prize winner in 2018. She is a student at Kean University in Union, N.J.

THIRD PRIZE: Mallory Bouchard, Provo, Utah
Bouchard, who attends Weber State Universtity, won $500 for her geometric Hex Link Chair. Inspired by biophilic designs, the chair takes on one of nature’s favorite shapes to create a functional work of art. Standing alone, the chair seats two persons back to back, but when multiple seats are linked together, it seats up to 10 people.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Marina Ostrow, of Repentigny, Quebec, and Natalie Gneiting of Layton, Utah, received honorable mentions. Ostrow’s design for a unique lighting installation was selected as an honorable mention and will also be fabricated and displayed at the Contemporary Arts Center exhibition. Ostrow attends the College Marie-Victorin in Montreal, and Gneiting attends Weber State University in Ogden, Utah.Designs by: (Left to right) Marina Ostrow and Natalie Gneiting