JUDGES

Sou Fujimoto

Chief Judge, Architect

After the pandemic, the world is entering a new era. Relationship between people, the relationship between people and society, and the relationship between people and nature are being questioned again, and a new reality is being sought. Furniture truly creates relationships between people. The wood material is in the cycle of nature. We are expecting for wonderful proposals that are suitable for this era where new furniture that connects people, society and nature.

PROFILE

Sou Fujimoto was born in Hokkaido in 1971. Graduated from the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering at Tokyo University, he established Sou Fujimoto Architects in 2000. Among his recent renowned projects is the 1st prize for the 2014 International Competition for the Second Folly of Montpellier, France (“L’Arbre Blanc”). Additionally in 2015, 2017 and 2018, he won several international competitions with 1st prize in various European countries. In Japan, he was selected as the Expo site design producer for the 2025 Japan International Exposition (Osaka/Kansai Expo). In 2021, he was selected as the designer Co-Innovation University (Tentative) in Hida Takayama city.

His notable works include; “House of Music” (2021), “MARUHON makiart terrace (Ishinomaki Cultural Center)” (2021), “SHIROIYA HOTEL” (2020), “L’Arbre Blanc” (2019), “Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2013” (2013), “House NA” (2011), “Musashino Art University Museum & Library” (2010), “House N” (2008) and many more.　

Masaaki Hiromura

Graphic Designer

The various changes that have occurred in around the world over the past few years are not distant events, but have a great impact on our daily lives. And it’s getting faster. Precisely because it is such an era, I feel that we must continue to explore the possibilities of the natural materials that has been close to us since ancient times and have enriched our lives for the future. This time, I’m looking forward to a beautiful product that will especially move our heart purely.

PROFILE

Born in Aichi prefecture, Japan in 1954. After working for Ikko Tanaka from 1977, he established his own practice in 1988. While his general focus is on graphic design, art direction and creative direction, he has done extensive work on signage systems, CI, VI for museums, educational and commercial facilities.
A guest professor at Tama Art University, and NAGOYA ZOKEI UNIVERSITY.
Major involvements: The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, 9h nine hours, SUMIDA AQUARIUM, The National Taichung Theater, ARTIZON MUSEUM, THE LOFT, Ishikawa Prefectural Library, NAGOYA ZOKEI UNIVERSITY, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Sport Pictograms etc.
Major awards: Mainichi Design Awards, KU/KAN Award, SDA Award, Good Design Award, etc.
Publication: Space Graphysm (Rikuyosha), What Design Can Do, What Design Should Do (ADP), JI BORN (ADP), From Design To Design (ADP) etc.

Anne-Louise Sommer

Museum director, adjunct professor Design museum Denmark, Denmark

It’s a great honor for me to be part of the IFDA jury committee once again. Design is as important as ever, and so is paying tribute to good design. Design has the potential to present novel solutions for making the world a better place to be.

PROFILE

Anne-Louise Sommer lives and works in Copenhagen as the museum director of Designmuseum Danmark since 2011. Furthermore, she is an adjunct professor in design culture and design history at University of Southern Denmark. She was born in 1961 and received a MA by research in comparative literature from the University of Copenhagen. This was followed by a long academic career, where she has held positions at several of the Danish universities within the departments of art history focusing at design history, furniture design, architectural history and landscape design. From 2004-2011 she worked at The Royal Danish Academy School of Design, from 2009 as the rector. Anne-Louise Sommer has published extensively (including books, monographs and scientific articles) within the field.

Tucker Viemeister

Industrial Designer, America

Good design is a conversation: designer with the material and with production methods, the user with comfort, the form with function. Competitions like this demonstrate good design so everyone can bring good design into their own lives.

PROFILE

Tucker Viemeister is most famous for OXO Good Grips kitchen tools that conceived “universal design” designed at Smart Design, the company he helped found in 1979. He thrives on collaboration and working in all scales of 3D and 2D in exhibits, architecture, graphics, new media, branding and strategy. He is working with architect Henry Myerberg on the Narxoz University in Kazakhstan. He founded David Rockwell’s LAB, directed the interactive introduction experience for the Venice Biennale. Director, Special Projects with Ralph Appelbaum Associates, developed innovative concepts for the Smithsonian Institution with Thinc, and the Shanghai planetarium with Xenerio. Teaches at Parsons School of Design, is vice president of the Architectural League, a Fellow of the Industrial Design Society of America, his work is in MoMA, holds 32 US utility patents and was named after a car.

Michael Young

Industrial Designer, England

I am very honored to be working with the Asahikawa furniture industry – in a world driven by technology. It is important not to forget that we must live day to day with humble objects. Wood working craft helps us to connect with more spiritual ideologies and appreciate beautify created by the hand of artisans. These skills should be inherited thru generations to maintain industrial growth and by taking part in this event we can contribute to this course.

PROFILE

Michael Young is an internationally renowned British designer who founded Michael Young Studio (MYS) in the UK in 1994. After working in the UK and Iceland for a decade, he was attracted to Asia for his passion for advanced manufacturing technology and opened a studio in Hong Kong in 2006. Today MYS Studio is recognised as one of the most exciting and powerful design companies in Asia. The studio focuses on exploring the unique technological potential to create contemporary designs that reflect the times, and constantly challenging the boundaries of experimental design. Michael Young is known in the industry as a complex minimalist. His elegant, exquisite and succinct design aesthetics are favoured by international awards, and his works are collected by prestigious museums and galleries, including Louvre Museum, The Centre Pompidou and Victoria & Albert Museum.