Original design and fresh ideas will be at the forefront when 46 emerging designers join us at WantedDesign Manhattan 2022 as part of Launch Pad –– more than twice the Launch Pad exhibitors at the Javits Center last year. The Launch Pad exhibitors will represent 13 countries, from Argentina to Canada, from Slovenia to South Korea, confirming Launch Pad as the internationally recognized platform in North America for launching concepts and showcasing prototypes.

Launch Pad is presented with media partner Design Milk and sponsored by American Standard. A jury, led by Caroline Williamson, Editorial Director of Design Milk, will select and announce the Best of Launch Pad 2022 in the lighting and furniture/accessories categories at WantedDesign Manhattan in May.

The jury for furniture/home accessories includes Giulio Cappellini, Founder of Cappellini; Jean-Jacques L’hénaff, Leader of LIXIL Global Design Americas; Nicole Meier, Director of Branding at Ultrafabrics; and Sherri Simko, Director North America, Carl Hansen & Son.

The jury for lighting includes Alvaro Catalán De Ocón, Founder of ACdO; Andrea Cesarman, Co-Founder of Design Week Mexico; Jean-Jacques L’hénaff, Leader of LIXIL Global Design Americas; and Matt Davis, Co-Founder of AndLighting.

The emerging designers selected for Launch Pad are working across product categories, applying their design language, ideas and exploration of materials on seating, hard goods and lighting alike. They’re also blurring the lines between disciplines, considering the design of spaces and environments as well as the fixtures and furnitures within. No doubt the last two years of working from home and intermittent lockdowns has all of us thinking more carefully and critically about the spaces we live in.

We’re also pleased to see more young designers focussing on sustainable and conscious design, including Launch Pad exhibitors ARTL, Carlos Barba, AR+TE, Ian C.Adler, Muar Diseno, Only One Yes, Particle, Super Vision Studio, TaskShade and Studio Yellow Dot.

We look forward to welcoming all the international and US-based designers who are taking the daring next step in their careers to exhibit as part of Launch Pad 2022. 45 new designers will be exhibiting, alongside Tomma Bloom, returning as Best of Launch Pad 2021 in the lighting and furniture/accessories categories, respectively.

The full list of designers can be found on the WantedDesign Manhattan site. Register to attend.