The winner of the fourth annual HD/West Elm Student Product Design Competition is Chae Rim Kang of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) for her design of the Fold chair.
Judged by West Elm Contract design director Paul Galli, this year’s contest tasked students to design an upholstered occasional chair conceived for hospitality and commercial spaces. In addition to a $5,000 prize, the winner will also have their product produced by West Elm.
Kang’s Fold lounge chair is characterized by soft materials and forms, including curved a metal frame and legs that complement the contours of the upholstered seat. Fold is also equipped with a polyurethane foam understructure on sinuous springs.
“We were impressed by fluidity of Chae Rim’s chair and its thoughtful juxtaposition of hard and soft materials,” says Galli. “We can envision the chair’s distinctive silhouette working well in a number of commercial and residential settings.”
Nathan Spies of Sheridan College was named this year’s finalist for his Metro occasional chair. The concept is inspired by cleanliness protocols spurred by COVID-19. Comprising bent metal and leather, the lightweight design can be easily cleaned in high-traffic areas.
The Metro occasional chair by Nathan Spies
Kang and Spies will be honored at the 18th annual HD Awards ceremony on June 7th at Cipriani South Street in New York. Purchase your tickets today!
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