All nominees for the Formex Nova Award 2019

The presentation of the Formex Nova Award is as usual one of the highlights during the Formex fall exhibition, and it will take place during a festive event on the evening of the first exhibition day August 20.
Formex has established the Formex Nova Award – Nordic Designer of the Year, to promote high-quality Nordic design created by a still relatively unknown designer working in the Nordic interior design industry. A jury appoints the nominees for the award.

Nominees and motivations Formex Nova 2019:

Iceland:Theodora Alfredsdottir
Theodora Alfredsdottir has a bachelor’s degree in product design from the Iceland Academy of the Arts and a master’s degree in Design Products from the Royal College of Art in London (2015). The studio is based in London and she is working with self-initiated projects and also with other designers such as Philippe Malouin and Bethan Laura Wood.
The jury’s motivation:
“Theodóra Alfredsdottir incorporates what approaches philosophical tales into her design. What is an object, what is the meaning of the material and how does the object integrate with the room? Her design process consists of research, physical presence and a strong desire to achieve the original, but also the local. Hence, dig where you stand is her motto.”

Norway: Falke Svatun
Falke Svatun grew up in Åsgårdstrand, Norway and graduated from the University of Technology in Sydney 2011 with a BA of Industrial Design. He established Falke Svatun Studio in Oslo 2014. Falke Svatun has received design awards such as 2017 Wallpaper Design Awards: Aerial, 2016 Bo Bedre Design Awards: Newcomer of the Year and 2016 The New York Times' 15 Most Exciting New Designers at Salone.
The jury’s motivation:
”Falke Svatun expresses himself in sharp minimalism. The results are graphic, elegant, and “nydeligt” which in Norwegian translates to “beautiful.” Its clean design much like a demanding ballet, is a truly balanced act. The jury looks forward to view the luminaires operate, as the lighting bearer they truly are.”

Finland: Kaksikko Studio
Kaksikko Studio was founded in 2014 by Salla Luhtasela and Wesley Walters. They both studied at Aalto University in Helsinki. They see themselves as ‘formgivers’ before designers, and their process of working with their hands from an early stage has a large influence on the final forms. Besides working on company briefs, they also produce their own designs by hand in small series.
The jury’s motivation: 
”An obvious feel for ancient craft in combination with function characterizes a lot in the Finnish design. So does this one. The design duo Salla Luhtasela and Wesley Walters from Studio Kaksikko, which means couple in Finnish, have an obvious place in the Nordic Design Arena. Down to earth and easy to grasp.

Sweden: Hilda Nilsson
Hilda Nilsson is born and raised in Stockholm but is now based in Copenhagen. She has a Cand.des. from The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts Schools of Architecture, Design and Conservation and won the award Ung Svensk Form 2017.
The jury’s motivation:
"Hilda Nilsson works on the border of engineering and art. She accomplishes a beautiful and interesting symbiosis of ancient traditional craft and contemporary digital manufacturing methods. She has great skill in proving how engineering can enrich traditions. The expectations in terms of her knowledge and experience in chemical materials, along with her talent in art, shows good promise for the future.”

Denmark: Kasper Kjeldgaard
Designer Kasper Kjeldgaard graduated from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts of Design in 2016. Kjeldgaard’s works has among others been exhibited at Mindcraft in Milano, The Curio – Chart Art Fair and at Patrick Parrish Gallery.
The jury´s motivation:
"Kasper Friis Kjeldgaard creates sculptural three-dimensionality, with strong expressions in metal and bristles. He has a unique sense for details and material transitions. The creativity flows between art and design. His artistic ability could also be a great asset in the design of everyday products.”

Honorable mention 2019: Madeleine Nelson
Madeleine Nelson is a Stockholm based product designer and architect with great interest in problem solving and environmental questions. Madeleine has received design awards and honorable mentions from NC Nordic Care, Svenskt Tenn, TreCe, Almi and HRD Carpets
The jury’s motivation: 
“Today, sustainability in design is more important than ever. This year’s honorable mention goes to the climate friendly product Regrow by Madeleine Nelson. All of us need to make a commitment to the environment in our lives, and it might as well start in the kitchen. This product gives vegetables continued life and allows it to re-grow over and over. Regrow is both eye opening and genius. But, it’s sometimes the simplest things that are the hardest to reach.”

This year’s Formex Nova jury:
Mats Widbom, CEO Svensk Form, Lotta Lewenhaupt,journalist and writer, Kerstin Wickman, professor in design history, Anders Färdig, founder and CEO Design House Stockholm, Alexander Lervik, designer and entrepreneur, Klara Persson (Bolon) Design Sweden, suppleant.
A guest member is invited to join the jury every year and 2019 we welcome Anna Holmquist, Folkform.

More information www.formex.se or contact:
Christina Olsson, Project Area Manager, +46 8 749 44 28 christina.olsson@stockholmsmassan.se
Lotta Ahlvar, Project leader, +46 8 749 41 52,lotta.ahlvar@stockholmsmassan.se

Carolina Ekman, Press Officer, +46 70 789 41 35, carolina.ekman@stockholmsmassan.se
Pär Jonasson, Press Officer, +46 70 486 90 34, par.jonasson@stockholmsmassan.se

Formex is arranged by Stockholmsmässan and takes place twice a year. It is the leading Nordic meeting place for new products, business opportunities, trends, knowledge and inspiration in the interiors industry. Formex welcomes 850 exhibitors, 23,000 trade visitors and more than 850 media representatives.