Introducing the 2018 Launch Pad

This year, we celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Launch Pad, WantedDesign’s innovative platform for connecting emerging designers with manufacturers, retailers and collaborators. Since 2014, nearly 200 designers have been featured from dozens of countries around the globe. In 2018, 33 designers from 11 countries will showcase their work in lighting and furniture design at WantedDesign Manhattan (May 19-22) during NYCxDESIGN, New York’s celebration of global design. Online voting is open through May 22 – get to know the 2018 Launch Pad designers and vote here.

Franklin St. Studio

In addition to the online favorite, each year, a jury of industry professionals selects two Best of Launch Pad winners, one in the category of Furniture and the other in the category of Lighting. In addition to the jury’s pick, design lovers are invited to vote on their favorite.

Willow and Stump

The 2018 Launch Pad jury will be led by Jaime Derringer, Founder and Executive Director of Design Milk. The furniture prize will be juried by Noah Schwarz, Director of Merchandising for Design Within Reach; Giulio Cappellini, Art Director of Italian furniture brand Cappellini and Paul Makovsky, VP of Design, Metropolis magazine. Judges for the lighting prize are Katie Stamaris, Director of Product Development for Design Within Reach; Giuseppe Butti, CEO, Luceplan and Marva Griffin Wilshire, Founder of Salone del Mobile Milano, Curator and International Press Director of Salone Satellite.

Plankton Studios

To celebrate the past 5 years of the Launch Pad, we’ve engaged with our alumni to see where they’ve gone. Read about how designer Elish Warlop has since launched two collections of lighting with Design Within Reach and Begüm Cana Ozgür who is now designing rugs for iconic Spanish brand nanimarquina. Read them here.

Soft Geometry

Launch Pad is sponsored by