Kean Graduate Wins Second Place in Formica Design Competition
By Nicole Diefenbacher | Published April 25, 2019
Rachel Marie Thompson, a recent graduate of the Michael Graves College who earned her degree in industrial design at Kean University, won second place and a $1,000 prize in the second annual FORM Student Innovation Competition by Formica Corporation for her “Ke-li-di-skop” chair design.
“Be careful when you look, you might get lost in the geometric memorizing explosion of colors,” says Thompson. “Each 156 pieces were placed specifically to create a unique repetitive pattern that will keep your eyes wandering for more.”
Thompson says her design was inspired by a red pincushion, which is typically made of fabric or knitted yarn.
“Taking on the challenge of creating a similar shape to the pincushion, I pushed the skills of working with a hard material and making it appear to be soft like a cushion. After successfully achieving the shape I admired, I noticed a pattern start to emerge. The hardest decision I had to make was narrowing down 20 different color palates I created and deciding which one was the winner.”
This is not Thompson’s first experience in the FORM Competition by Formica Corporation. Thompson took home first place for her concept called Deflexion at the first annual FORM Competition, which was open to all Industrial designers and architects, not just students.
“I wanted to push the boundaries of different geometric shapes to create a harmonized shape,” says Thompson.
Ms. Thompson’s 2018 design, which won 1st place at the first FORM design competition
Formica Group likens Thompson’s design to the kaleidoscope.
“The classic toy that allows users to look inside and see small bits of color change shape as the instrument is turned around,” Formica Group said. “The chair’s striking design, comfortable shape and inviting colors, including navy blue, chrome yellow and eggplant, add to its appeal.”
Chair which won 2nd place at the Second Annual FORM Student Innovation Competition
Formica Group even created a competition to design furniture in which the winner received prizes as well as recognition.
“Interior design, architecture and furniture design students were challenged in the FORM competition to create a ‘resimercial’ furniture design using Formica Brand products,” says Formica Group of their FORM competition. “And competed to win cash prizes, national recognition and the opportunity to see their designs come to life in a public exhibit.”
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