LAUNCH PAD FIFTH ANNIVERSARY: SUCCESS STORIES

2018 marks the fifth anniversary of the Launch Pad at WantedDesign Manhattan. The Launch Pad is a platform for emerging designers who wish to make connections with manufacturers and retailers during NYCxDESIGN, New York’s celebration of global design. Each year, a group of industry professionals reviews the exhibited work to select a Best of Launch Pad prize. Since 2014, the Launch Pad has exhibited over 100 designers from dozens of countries and over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing the stories of some of the designers who have participated in years past and the manufacturers who’ve discovered them.

Born in 1989, Turkish designer Begüm Cana Ozgür graduated from Bilkent University’s Interior Architecture and Environmental Design department. In 2013, she received her masters degree at the Cranbook Academy of Art in the 3D design department and then began her studio based in Istanbul where the cultural richness of the land has been the major motive in her work, developing an interest in ancient craft practices. Here’s a brief conversation with her.

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The new IC Store by WantedDesign

In 2014, WantedDesign Brooklyn found its home at Industry City in Sunset Park Brooklyn. We worked to bring inspiring installations and a focus on design education to the event during NYCxDESIGN, the city’s celebration of global design. Two years ago, we opened the first WantedDesign Store at Industry City and today, it officially reopened in a larger, renovated space at the entrance of the main Food Hall at 274 36th Street.

The IC Store by WantedDesign has always been home to a well-curated assortment of design objects from around the globe and in addition to these unique items, the new space includes a presentation of the best work by designers and makers at Industry City. The Made in IC section includes work from Egg Collective, a design company established in 2011 by three female designers whose work is created in a workshop in Industry City, to JK Wickwax, a company creating one-of-a-kind rock candles, and more.More…

CALL FOR ENTRIES: LAUNCH PAD 2018

2018 marks the 5th anniversary of the Launch Pad at WantedDesign Manhattan. We’re looking for emerging design talent in the fields of furniture and lighting to participate in the 2018 Launch Pad, May 19-22. A jury of industry professionals will review the presentations and a Best of Launch Pad prize will be awarded. The Launch Pad is the perfect way for up-and-coming designers and small design brands seeking manufacturing and distribution partners to participate in NYCxDESIGN, the city’s celebration of global design. Apply HERE by January 31, 2018.

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WANTEDDESIGN HOLIDAY MARKET AT THE SEAPORT DISTRICT

Earlier in 2017, two WantedDesign Store locations opened in the Seaport District – a design market and a home and lifestyle space. Both stores feature unique gifts, home accessories and well-curated design objects. During the month of December (from 11am-7pm daily), the WantedDesign Store at 6 Fulton Street will be hosting a holiday market with over 20 vendors including Brooklyn Candle Studio, Elodie Blanchard, Assouline, Flaneur, Malle London, Skagen, and many more unique design brands and designers. Shop for truly creative and unique gifts in a stress-free and festive environment. More

The Holiday Market will take place from December 1st to December 31st, at WantedDesign Store, located at 6 Fulton Street in the Seaport District, NYC. The Design Market is at 16 Fulton St. Both shops are open daily 11am – 7pm for holiday shopping. Contact: info@wanteddesign.shop

One week life changing workshop at Boisbuchet

Domaine de Boisbuchet is a unique, off-the-wall design destination situated on the French countryside. Each year Boisbuchet organizes a series of interdisciplinary workshops where students and professionals from all over the world come together for a week of experimental work with renowned designers, architects and artists. WantedDesign was excited to partner with the organization to offer the opportunity for one design student to take part in a Boisbuchet’s Summer Workshop in 2017. The winner of the giveaway was a young Brooklyn-based designer, Maryam Turkey. She was flown to Paris thanks to French airline XL Airways. Maryam recently returned from her week at Boisbuchet where she participated in the Sabine Marcelis “Exploring Light” workshop.

Maryam shared with us what seems to have been a life changing experience, one that will be a real source of inspiration as she is starting her career as a designer.

Can you give us a quick background about yourself and your path until now?
I am a recent Pratt Institute graduate from the industrial design department. Throughout my education at Pratt, my focus has been on innovation and problem solving in the areas of social design and human-centered design. Because I grew up in Iraq and took the journey as a refugee to the United States, I always find myself trying to find solutions to problems that affect people around the world and I try to narrow down the issue to a product or a system that is designed to improve the lives of a large population. On the other hand, I am also interested in material exploration and design that requires me to work with my hands, which I did not explore enough at Pratt, which made Domaine de Boisbuchet very appealing to me.

Why did you apply to the Boisbuchet + WantedDesign contest and what was your expectation in going there?
I applied to the contest because I was intrigued by the description of Boisbuchet. The idea of spending a week in nature with beautiful architecture and exploring a kind of design that I have never really done before sounded like a dream. I expected it to be a unique experience and I also expected that I would come back inspired and have added a new design technique and process to my design palette.

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