The winners of the ART DESIGN AWARD 2023
by @industrialkonzept Team
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As 2023 draws to a close, we take a moment to look back on a year full of significant developments, in particular our inaugural 2023 Award. Our strategic initiative to introduce an exclusive award was a highlight, celebrating the remarkable talents of brands, artists and designers within our global community. This initiative, which was received with enthusiasm, led to us nominating several prestigious projects for this award. Working with an independent jury, we carefully selected the 2023 winners from these nominees. This editorial highlights the selected winners. In the subjective fields of art and design, we avoid ranking systems and instead choose to honor a diverse range of winners who excel in their respective fields through innovative and captivating projects.
Nocs Design
Nocs Design creates audio products that combine simple, minimalist design with outstanding quality and durability. Daniel Alm, the founder of Nocs Design and designer of the Monolith & Mini speakers, emphasizes: "Our inspiration behind the Nocs speakers is a commitment to timeless excellence. We believe that if a design is not timeless, it does not resonate with our vision."
The Monolith Speaker from Nocs Design
With a deep dedication to music, Daniel Alm has spent years in the music industry, impressed by and working with some of the most talented musical minds. Through these experiences, Daniel Alm has developed a renowned expertise in creating high quality headphones and speakers that meet the demanding needs of professional DJs and serious audio enthusiasts. "My professional career is firmly rooted in the audio and design world," explains Daniel Alm. "Since 2009, I have continuously expanded my skills and knowledge to bring a unique perspective to the development of audio products."
The Monolith Speaker by Nocs Design is a showcase example of the Design Studio. It embodies Nocs Studio's signature sound, available in both single units and synchronized arrays. Crafted in Sweden with exceptional attention to detail, each speaker is a unique masterpiece, made from locally sourced birch plywood and finished in a matte black. This collaboration with Scan-Speak, a renowned Danish audio company, guarantees a superior sound experience that combines brutalist aesthetics with modern sound technology. "Our pursuit involves blending the enduring qualities of timelessness with a touch of brutalism - a design philosophy that embraces raw, unfiltered aesthetics," explains Daniel Alm.
By moving production from China to Sweden, Nocs Design follows sustainable practices and embraces the principles of a circular economy. The Monolith's modular design promotes easy upgrades and repairs. This approach not only extends the speaker's lifespan, but also minimizes electronic waste, demonstrating Nocs Design's commitment to environmental responsibility and audio innovation.
Undress House
With a foundation in fashion and a natural flair for aesthetics, Jaeho Lee, founder of Undress House, has ventured into the world of home design by creating items that transform spaces with timeless elegance.
Lee's fascination with silver, steel accessories and various objets d'art has steadily developed. He saw home accessories as extensions of personal style, which laid the foundation for Undress House. This endeavor defies easy categorization and serves as a canvas for Lee's unbridled creativity, where aesthetics meet functionality and objects are transformed into art.
"One Silver Legged Stool" by Undress House
Undress House is a manifestation of Lee's extensive experience and keen instinct in the innovative design of home accessories. Driven by a vision to rethink vintage objects and weave together a variety of materials, Lee creates unique pieces that challenge conventional conventions. Each piece reflects his commitment to subtle beauty and practical functionality. Undress House is characterized by its innovative spirit, aesthetic brilliance and an evolutionary journey that spans from fashion to home accessories, proving that true passion knows no boundaries.
Analogue
Analogue is an Amsterdam-based design label for office and home furniture and lighting. Their products create a conscious and sustainable balance in daily work and life. Objects that express function and use through form and material. Intuitive to use, but open to interpretation and adaptable to different environments.
The "Drafting Table" by Analogue, a central piece of the "A Simple Machine" collection, is characterized by its raw textures and brutalist aesthetics. With its uncomplicated mechanics, it is not only attractive to architects and artists who traditionally work on paper, but also appeals to a wider audience. This low-tech table encourages a focus on independence in a world increasingly dominated by smart products. Designed without the need for an external power supply, the Drafting Table places an emphasis on accessibility, ease of repair and lasting durability.
Precisely crafted from stainless steel and aluminum, the Drafting Table displays a raw technical appearance with meticulously designed details. Its handcrafted interaction allows for a user-friendliness unmatched by externally operated adjustable tables. It functions as both a robust work object and a precise instrument. The near-vertical tilt of the table also makes it ideal for presentations and exhibitions. Designed and produced in the Netherlands, Analogue's mission is to create circular economy furniture that promotes healthy working habits, with a focus on functionality, durability and sustainability.
Essesi
Essesi, founded by Alberto and Alan Esses, former Tesla Design Studio and FormLab experts, represents a fusion of creative passion and design innovation. The Esses brothers, driven by a deep appreciation for design, have established a brand that transcends conventional boundaries.
"Raya Lounge Chair": An indoor lounge chair, milled from solid walnut and upholstered in genuine leather
"Vida": A water jug milled from solid aluminum, inspired by the ritual of drawing water from a river
What may appear at first glance to be an unproduceable rendering is actually reality, realized through the use of the most modern and complex manufacturing technologies. Essesi, known for its philosophy of limited production, gives each collection an extraordinary exclusivity. This approach not only emphasizes the value of their products, but also weaves a personal story into each individual piece. Essesi's commitment to creating objects that both enrich lives and inspire conversation is clearly evident in their ever-evolving collection.
"Sticks & Stones": A molcajete inspired by the fusion of ancient and modern techniques and materials. A molcajete (pestle and mortar) is an iconic object of Mexican culture and of Esses' childhood.
The Esses brothers skillfully weave their Mexican heritage into their brand and manufacture their products in Mexico in cooperation with experienced craftsmen. This combination of local craftsmanship and modern technology results in designs that are both culturally profound and of high quality. But beyond their artistic ambitions, Essesi is also committed to the community: they support Mexican non-profit organizations dedicated to promoting creativity and education, demonstrating their commitment to social responsibility. With their headquarters in Los Angeles and a worldwide online store, they enable design lovers around the globe to enjoy Essesi's unique combination of design, cultural heritage and social awareness.
"Exclamation": A writing and sketching pen made of anodized aluminium
Ciro Timmers
Ciro Timmers®, an innovative creative studio led by Ciro Timmers and artistically directed by Anna Ustian, captivates through the unique combination of digital artistry with minimalist, brutalist aesthetics and subtle science fiction elements.
Ciro Timmers® extends its reach beyond digital art and transforms selected designs into tangible, exclusive objects. With a focus on longevity, this transition from the digital to the physical is characterized by longevity and an ethic against mass production and short-term consumption.
One highlight is the Saga Lounge Chair pictured here, which combines a polished stainless steel tubular frame with Italian chrome-free leather cushions. Its innovative frame, designed without screws, offers subtle suspension. This fusion of sleek design and comfort, inspired by 70s aesthetics, ensures appeal in both modern and traditional settings.
Christian+Jade
Christian+Jade, a studio founded by Christian Hammer Juhl from Denmark and Jade Chan from Singapore, symbolizes a remarkable design partnership that originated at the renowned Design Academy Eindhoven and came to full bloom in Copenhagen. The duo focuses on design as a form of artistic expression, with a particular emphasis on excellent craftsmanship and the exploration of different materials.
Their mission is to create thought-provoking designs that deepen the connection to objects and spaces. By contextualizing their designs in historical and cultural narratives, they create raw, honest pieces.
The "PROUD TO BE HUMBLE" mirror collection captivates with its reflective surfaces, crafted from carefully hammered and polished aluminum sheets to create a vibrant play of reflections.
The "REFLECTING FLAME" collection, artfully designed as candle holders, captures the flickering of flames, with each piece also made of handcrafted aluminum and available in a limited edition.
All images are courtesy of the respective brands.
