Design matters say furniture competition judges
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The importance of design in the garden furniture industry was emphasised by two high profile judges of a student competition organised by Alexander Rose...
Celebrity garden designer Diarmuid Gavin and Jonathan Hindle, Master of The Furniture Makers Guild, were at SOLEX to promote the results of the competition. Prototypes of the winning designs by Matt Thompson formed the centrepiece of a special exhibit at the back of Hall 5, where images of designs by the runners-up and finalists were also displayed.
Diarmuid Gavin told SOLEX Sun that design in the garden furniture category had lagged behind indoor furnishings, so the competition was an important step forward. Both he and Joanthan Hindle confessed themselves amazed at the standard of entries and the students' understanding of the complexities of the manufacturing process. "For Matt to see his winning design become a reality is a fantastic opportunity," said Diarmuid.
Joanthan said nurturing good design, often neglected, was an investment in the future of the furnishing industry, which overall is worth £28 billion annually, or 3.7% of GDP.
Above: winning student Matt Thompspon (purple shirt, centre) with fellow student finalists, their tutors and judges Diarmuid Gavin and Jonathan Hindle on the design competition exhibit at SOLEX.
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