For the fifth consecutive year, Swarovski unveils the design installations created by the three winners of the Swarovski Designers of the Future Award 2019 at Design Miami/ Basel – Curio (June 11 – 16). Established in 2006, the Designers of the Future Award moves beyond pure product and furniture design to acknowledge technologically and conceptually progressive pieces that work across multiple disciplines, championing long-term collaborations with designers at an early stage of their career. The Swarovski Designers of the Future Award winners have been selected for their ability within the fields of lighting, home objects and surfaces, and exemplify new directions in design culture. This year’s winners are Shanghai-based Juju Wang, Dutch duo Studio Klarenbeek & Dros, and British designer Raffe Burrell. Selected from across the globe for their innovative design approach, the designers responded to specific briefs focusing on three categories, ‘Architectural Surfaces and Building Materials’, ‘Home Décor’ and ‘Lighting’. Taking into consideration Swarovski’s existing catalogue of products, and as well as exploring the potential for wider collaboration between Swarovski and designers, the commissions include ‘Sea-cret’ by Juju Wang, a mindful interactive experience. ‘Reorient: Arctic Collection’ by Studio Klarenbeek & Dros, the next phase in 3D-printed Swarovski crystal. ‘Reflection’ by Raffe Burrell, a striking lighting solution. To inspire the creative process, the laureates visited Swarovski’s headquarters in Austria to discover the crystal brand’s legacy of innovation and creativity. The designers explored the company’s archives, the new Manufaktur building that champions Swarovski’s rapid prototyping process, and the innovative Lighting and Crystal studios, allowing the winners the opportunity to develop and experiment with their design concepts. Swarovski has worked closely with each designer, supporting the design process and technical innovation to showcase the best emerging crystal design. Manufactured in Wattens, the three works will feature the most responsible crystal on the market: Swarovski’s patented Advanced Crystal formula, which enables the crystals to be lead-free1 while retaining their superior brilliance and sparkle. A third of Swarovski’s energy for crystal production comes from renewables and 70% of the water used is met through recycled sources as part of its environmental management program. Through the company’s CLEAR program, Swarovski systematically manages, restricts and eliminates harmful chemicals from products and its supply chain. These efforts are part of Swarovski’s commitment to driving positive change in the industry.
