The winner of Pure Talents Contest 2021

The members of the jury included the Hamburg designer Eva Marguerre, the Offenbach-based designer Sebastian Herkner, Thonet’s creative director Norbert Ruf and blickfang’s managing director Jennifer Reaves. All four were deeply impressed by the submissions. The individual works were of such high quality that it was almost impossible to tell that many of the designers behind them were still studying. Twenty designers made it to the final round, with four of those reaching the winner’s rostrum.

The light adds a new dimension to an otherwise flat wall, making it look more three-dimensional and allowing the owner to play with the design and the surroundings. “We were particularly impressed here by the sensual play with light, and that both as a sculpture and as a functional product. We loved the simplicity with which light can be staged to such sensory effect,” says Jennifer Reaves, explaining the jury’s decision.

With this design, Luiza Guidi also demonstrates the range and versatility of her work. “I create poetic experiences. I approach difficult subjects with a certain lightness, and my designs follow the same direction,” says the Brazilian designer. She often plays with the combination of hard and soft fabrics, natural materials and muted colours.

Discover other designs by Luiza Guidi on her Instagram page.

Like his fellow competitors, Dirk Vosding is still in the beginning stages of his career, yet the trained carpenter has produced a design of the highest level. Elina can be used in a variety of ways: as a book end, a reading lamp and a table light. The young designer thereby delivers an unusual example of multifunctionality that is practical and decorative at the same time. “In our hectic digital world, Elina illuminates books as an escape from mindless, anonymous and impulsively posted fake news and rumours,” says Dirk Vosding, explaining his submission. He has previously expressed his fondness for analogue culture in earlier work, creating a seafaring-inspired cupboard in a travel trunk look.

Tatu Laasko developed a clear design language of his own at a young age and has already made a name for himself in the design and furnishing world. The Finn is currently completing his master’s studies at the Aalto University of Art and Design in Helsinki, and is working with a number of well-known companies in the industry alongside his studies. Simple silhouettes, clear lines, organic shapes and the use of natural materials are characteristic features of his style – to which he remains true in this competition project.

Olivia impresses with its functionality and form, which are showcased in a lean structure and elegant design. “What got us excited about this beautiful piece was the way it plays with moulded plywood, and its design

vocabulary, which is sensual and light, and references Finnish design,” explains the jury. Tatu Laasko describes his design as an exploration of the balance between lightness, sturdiness and ergonomics. The concave shapes result in a very light yet robust structure that does not compromise the real function of the stool in any way. Through such details, he always gives his straight-line design language that certain something special.

Discover other designs by Tatu Laasko on his Instagram page.

Street food has become quite a trend in recent years. Everybody is familiar with it, (almost) everybody loves it. Erik Mantz-Hansen has taken this trend and created a kitchen that makes it even easier to prepare and sell street food. The Guerilla Kitchen was developed to give more people the chance to venture into the snack food business by lowering the financial entry barrier. The mobile kitchen can be customised with a variety of components to suit the kind of street food that is going to be provided. Because of its compact size, it can be used in areas that would be too small for conventional food trucks. When folded, the kitchen can be pushed like a trolley.

“This design is in perfect alignment with Living Kitchen’s aspiration of making food and cooking come alive,” says an impressed Norbert Ruf. Erik Mantz-Hansen clearly focuses on one objective above all others in his work: functionality. Hard and clear forms, eye-catching colours and simple details are the young designer’s trademarks.

Discover other designs by Erik Mantz-Hansen on his Instagram page.