If you have a design concept for a chair or table then now is the time to explore and resolve it. Andreu World’s International Design Contest for 2018 is now open, and you have until 30 November to submit your design. Andreu World started its annual competition in the year 2000, providing a launch pad for design students and professionals of all ages. Australian Franki Chamaki took first prize in 2005 while other recent winners hail from Belgium, Spain, Canada and Switzerland. To enter the competition, you need to design a seat and/or a table that integrates the specifications outlined in Andreu World’s product briefing and resolves the accompanying technical and formal challenges in the terms outlined below. Specifications:
  • Seating: The main material used must be beech, oak or walnut. Chairs may be upholstered and veneered board or plywood.
  • Tables: The main material used must be beech, oak or walnut. Tables may be veneered board or plywood.
  • The use of other materials such as metals, plastics, glass, etc., is allowed when complementary, structural or incidental to the above.
  • All designs presented shall be new, not having been marketed or disclosed prior to the date of the contest, and not reflecting previous designs.
Technical and formal challenges:
  • Possible innovative features related to design, quality, technology, production processes, etc. and in general anything that adds value to the presented project.
  • Possible adaptation to Andreu World’s product philosophy.
  • Production costs and/or recovery.
  • Fulfilment of the functions for which it has been designed.
  • All-round simple and viable mass production possibilities.
  • Possible versatility and suitability for development as occasional pieces: chairs can be adapted to stools, easy chairs, sofas, etc., and tables can be adapted to different sizes and heights.
  • Suitability to numerous ambiences and uses, such as in the home, contract work, etc.
Your project submission must include a prototype, technical report and plans, diagrams, sketches, renders or images of your design. It’s optional (but recommended) to include a feasibility study outlining the innovative contributions that increase the product quality of your design, such as production costs, ergonomics and compliance. The competition closes on 30 November 2018 with the awards ceremony held in December. First prize is €3000 and four honourable mentions will receive €1000. Prizes are awarded by a jury of professionals that includes E.J. Lee (designer director at Gensler), Guilo Ridolfo (designer), Ana Domínguez Siemens (journalist), Alberto Anaut (director at La Fábrica) and Luis Fernández-Galiano (architect). You can read the rules here and check out the previous winners for inspiration here. Good luck and we’d love to see your submissions and support your ambitions to be the next rising star of Australian design.