Formica Corp. announced the winners of the inaugural SurfaceSet 2016 Student Innovation Competition. A panel of expert design professionals, including renowned potter, designer and author Jonathan Adler, selected the first-place winner, Elizabeth Ickes from the University of Cincinnati. The panel also selected a second-place winner, Megan Miller from the University of Minnesota, and a third-place winner, Caitlin Bakofsky from Philadelphia University.
Students were invited to submit a design of a commercial space using a minimum of three products from SurfaceSet 2016, a trend-forward collection of 35 new Formica Brand laminates inspired by nature and minimalism. The aspiring professionals submitted a color rendering, along with a description of what was integral to the design.
Elizabeth Ickes, a student from University of Cincinnati, is awarded the first-place prize for her Farmer’s Kitchen design. Ickes designed a commercial kitchen that can be used by local food vendors to make and sell their products. Her trend-forward retail space incorporated products from the Raw and Unfiltered palettes. She will receive $5,000 and a signed vase from Jonathan Adler.
“Farmer’s Kitchen is all about simplicity, and I think what the SurfaceSet 2016 collection provides really aided in its success. I think this competition is a great way for students to become familiar with all of the great products Formica Corp. has to offer,” says Ickes.
Renee Hytry Derrington, group vice president of Design for Fletcher Building’s Laminates & Panels Division, which includes Formica Corp., agreed that Ickes’ winning design was superior. “Ickes presents a simple refined solution, executed with precision through the use of Formica Brand Laminates both outside and inside display cases,” says Hytry Derrington.
Megan Miller, a student from University of Minnesota, is awarded the second-place prize and will receive $1,000. Miller designed a multi-use office space appealing to the millennial workers.
Caitlin Bakofsky, a student from Philadelphia University, is awarded the third-place prize and will receive $500. Bakofsky submitted a design for an easily accessible and functional luggage store.
The contest judges, in addition to Jonathan Adler and Renee Hytry Derrington, included Gerri Chmiel, North America residential design lead for Formica Corp.; and Scott Dannenfelser, North America commercial design lead for Formica Corp..
For more information about SurfaceSet 2016 by Formica Corp. and to view the winning designs, visit the student competition page on Formica’s website.