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From Home Furnishing Business
Past ISFD Winners Share Experiences for Encouragement
December 15,
2023 by HFBusiness Staff in Business Strategy, Industry 
Still thinking about entering the International Society of Furniture Designers (ISFD) 2024 Innovation+Design (I+D) juried competition? This furniture industry sponsored event, now in its 5th year, was developed to help professional makers/designers and the next generation of serious woodworking students receive exposure for their work, make valuable industry contacts, and launch their design careers. The entry fee is $50 each and entrants can submit multiple entries in multiple categories by the Dec. 20, submission deadline.
To help with the decision to enter, ISFD asked a few Innovation+Design 2023 winners for their thoughts about the competition and exhibition.
Best of Show winner, Michael Jury, shared that being a winner “was a huge boost to my young business. It was an honor to be recognized by ISFD among the very highest levels of designers/makers. The media focus also gave me good exposure in the industry. I enjoyed meeting and networking with other makers at the awards reception. Through this event I made valuable contacts that continue to be useful resources and sources of inspiration.”
Two-time Innovation+Design and two-time Pinnacle Awards winner, Jeremy Kamiya, said that “the I+D competition/exhibition is hands down the most valuable design competition I know of. For your work to be known, it must be seen and entering this competition guarantees that your work will be seen by at least the influential furniture and design industry professionals selected as judges. That alone is worth it. It also has allowed me to reinforce my presence in the industry and press, meet like-minded designers/makers (professionals and students) and has introduced me to large furniture companies which has led to one licensing agreement so far.
“The reason that we entered the competition was to get more involved in ISFD and to meet people in High Point and the larger home furnishings industry,” Brian Boggs stated. “Our goal is to work with OEM manufacturers. We met people who shared their experiences working with OEM companies and offered us tips about what to watch for. We also met experts from various parts of the industry who have been helpful with knowledge and contacts. ISFD and the I+D competition opened doors for us and put us in touch with many extremely talented designers.”
Student winner, Victoria Stocker, said that “this was my first time ever entering my work into a competition. It was an honor to just be a finalist let alone to win a category. I felt really validated that I am on the right path. It was good to hear the different perspectives about how professionals run their shops. I want to be a maker/designer one day with my own shop. Hearing about their experiences has been inspiring and helpful.”
The exhibit showcasing the finalists’ entries will be open at the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame, 311 S. Hamilton, High Point from April 4-17, in conjunction with Spring High Point Market. The winners will be announced at the Meet the Designers reception on April 14.
Professional and student finalists will receive a certificate of merit and will be entered into the maker/designer or student category of the 2024 ISFD Pinnacle Awards. Category winners will receive $250, and the Best of Show winner will receive $1000. All winners will receive free manufacturing time in the Congdon Yards Generator to work on any project of their choice.
For complete entry details please visit 2024 Innovation+Design.
Photo: Michael Jury, Best of Show winner