TOP TEN STUDENT CATEGORY in alphabetical order. Winner announced Nov 12.

*mobile devices click the + icon for a dropdown menu of finalists.

Student Criteria:

• STUDENTS from all disciplines including but not limited to Artists, Industrial Designers and Architects are eligible to enter so long as:
• CONCEPT Submissions have been developed by the eligible student while enrolled in a post-secondary art, architecture or industrial design program. 
• Entrant must CURRENTLY BE enrolled in a post-secondary design program.
• Entry must be in concept form (sketches & renderings of proposed design). 
• Eligible designs must incorporate the 2015 theme "crystallize" in any manner in which entrant sees fit so long as this is explained in their concept statements.
• Entry must adhere to all requirements outlined in the general competition details. 

Click here to view all 90 submissions!

Alyssa Lewis

Title:
CONJOIN

Concept Statement:
Based on the theme Crystallize, CONJOIN is a pendant, floor, and table light in one that takes inspiration from the twinned crystal structure. This structure is naturally occurring and happens when two identical cube crystal forms are fused together. The light itself is a scaled version of this phenomenon captured in frosted glass. When used as a floor or table light CONJOIN's multi-faceted shape allows for it to be placed in many different ways on either surface. While, with the addition of the ceiling mount attachment part the light can also be transformed into a pendant light.

CONJOIN attempts to have universal appeal with its many functions, simplicity of form, and soft glow suitable for a variety of interior spaces. The light also aims to create a social response and an emotional impact where is it is placed. The poetry of the light's shape and interconnectedness of two entwined forms abstractly relates to our understanding of love, reliance, and dependance that we experience in our everyday relationships. It also becomes a symbol of our similarities and ties to nature and to each other.

Project Specs:
Materials:
Recycled Glass/ Recycled Aluminum/ Dimmable LED Bulb

Dimensions:
10" W x 10" L x 20" H

Manufacturing Process:
Externally acid-etched blown glass diffuser/ White lacquered ceiling wall mount

Bio:
Alyssa Lewis is a 29 year old Designer living in Vancouver, Canada. She has worked as a Designer both in Europe and Canada and is making steps towards to establish her own studio in Vancouver. She is currently a student of interior design at BCIT where she plans to complete a Diploma of Interior Design in 2017. She also holds a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design from University of Alberta and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Studio Art from Brandeis University in Boston. Current projects include residential interiors and products where she is actively involved in the design process from concept to creation.

Place of Origin:
Vancouver, Canada

Christina Wilkinson & Danna Lei
 
Title:
Diverge

Concept Statement:
Diverge is a collision of movement, aesthetics, and functionality through its simple form. It is an adaptable and multi-functional lamp that behaves as a rotating piece of art which can perform a variety of uses. As the light itself emulates from within the concrete block, through the layers of dichroic film and glass, the lamp becomes a representation of the development of crystals forming within earth's natural bedrock.

In its conception, Diverge strives to introduce forms of crystals in a new way, beginning with de-constructing crystal formations down to two of their purest shapes----the Hex Prism Di-pyramid Term and the Hexyetrahedron.

The base form of the lamp is a cast concrete shell to represent the base-rock of the earth within which the crystals form; the shape was divided in half to create functionality and mobility. The two pure forms of crystals were then used to create the voids within the cast concrete blocks to introduce light into a seemingly impenetrable material.

As a playful, mobile lamp, Diverge represents the kinetic nature of our planet and the continuous formation and change within minerals and crystals.

Project Specs:
The cast concrete shell is made of fiber reinforced concrete to create the lightest yet solid structural form
for the base of the lamp. The thickness of the shell is 3/4". The inserted magnetized glass is a combination of low iron glass with an applied dichroic film to the interior faces. Located inside the concrete shell are the strips of LED lights connected to two embedded motion sensors within the concrete exterior. The magnetic removable component allows the user to access the LED lights, motion sensors and batteries within the concrete block.

Dimensions: 18" high, 18" wide, 36" long

Bio:
Danna Lei and Christina Wilkinson are both Masters of Architecture students currently studying at the Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design at the University of Toronto. Their undergraduate studies include Industrial Design and Environmental Studies in Urban Design and GIS respectively.  As a team they are interested in material innovations and juxtapositions of various textures.

Place of Origin:
Toronto, Canada

Kevin Chiam

Title:
LINE Table Lamp

Concept Statement:
Humans have a way of connecting information together even if it comes in crumbs. Piecing the form and structural hints, we imagine and unconsciously breathe life into an object. Drawn in deeply by how the silhouette of objects can easily bring out the character, a table lamp was done to capture how light permeates through a space created by a "lamp shade". In a way, the lamp is a crystallised or synthesised form of the traditional vintage, preserving the all too familiar archetype yet exuding a modern taste.  The definition of crystallise in this case is radical abstract of traditional pieces yet retaining the essence, something people can relate to.

Project Specs:
The main lamp is made using mild steel tubes (diameter 12 mm) and sheets (stamped) in thickness of 1 and 3 mm). The frame is welded together with the exception of the base. The circuitry is then fitted through the body of the tubes. 3 screws are locked in place to secure the entire piece.

Bio:
As a designer, I personally don’t believe in the “save the world” concept. Instead, I consider design into the modern world as a conversation between people and products. Thus, common sense is of utmost importance and is often the foundation stone for a relatively good design. Without the proper communication between designer and the consumer, how can there be an end-product that satisfies the latter?

That being said, I am currently still in the midst of searching for a product that fulfils that criterion. My philosophy is simple. Design with common sense such that it is intuitive yet simplistic. “ZiN” is the emblem of such. It is a Dutch word which means sense. The rationale for the choice of language is because of my inclination towards Dutch design, which emphasises on a minimalistic, experimental and innovative approach.

URL:
https://www.behance.net/kevinchiam

Place of Origin:
Singapore

Louis Dombowsky

Title:
Parhelion

Concept Statement:
Crystallizing is a natural phenomenon. I wanted to design a lamp first by studying the effect the sun has on our atmosphere since it is the source of life and energy. In meteorology a Parhelion is a refraction of sunlight through ice crystals high in the earths atmosphere. Seeing a parhelion in person on one of the coldest and driest days of our Canadian winter inspired me to create a sculptural form representing this natural phenomenon in it’s beautiful and novel form. The challenge was in transferring the form of an atmospheric body to paper then to software, choosing what to leave, what to add and trying to keep the natural form in its purity while giving it a very practical function. I included a dimmer on a subtle track at the center of the base for the user to choose the amount of the light he or she needs while cutting down on unnecessary energy consumption. My hope is to pay homage to the natural world by borrowing from its wild beauty and bringing a form of it into our homes.

Project Specs:
Parhelion stands 18” tall, 16” in wide and 4” deep with a sphere in the center of the halo 6” in diameter. A 0.5” steel tube connects the base to the crystal sphere bulb and is 4.75” long. The halo is 0.5” wide made with brass and is part of the boat-like lampshades on the right and left of the bulb. The two shapes and the halo are stamped from a sheet of 16-gauge brass, bent down the center and rolled into a ring and two shells. The base is 4” wide, 10” long and 1.75” tall.

Bio:
Louis Dombowsky comes from a family of inventors, builders and designers. He began building furniture with his grandfather at a young age and spent four years in the construction industry pouring concrete, framing houses and doing finish carpentry before building cabinets under a master craftsman. Louis started the Azuza design company in 2013, building and prototyping a wide range of tables and chairs that evoke a sense of adventure in form and structure. He designed furnishings for Kit and Ace stores in Saskatoon and Calgary and exhibited his collection at the 2014 IDS West as well as the Foster Eastman art gallery in Vancouver. Azuza pieces can be found in café’s, homes and for sale in retail stores around Western Canada. He is currently in his third year studying Industrial Design at Emily Carr University.

URL:
azuza.net

Place of Origin:
Canada

Gul Robinson

Title:
PYRO sculpture pendant light

Concept Statement:
During my brainstorming I came across Pyrite , mineral with perfectly formed fascinating cubes, penetration twins and other geometric shapes . WatchingPyrite crystalformation from all the angles seems to be answer of all the meanings of word "CRYSTALLIZE ( to cause to form crystal or assumea definite form ).
I used the technical meaning for design concept for "PYRO". I tried to replicate that unique gold look alike definitive crystallize quality of Pyrite by designing intertwined cubes representing the crystal's shape and position in polishedSheet metal hollow channels and using LEDS (which are energy efficient thus reducing carbon emissions) inside them to illuminate the structure and surrounding. The construction of PYRO uses only laser cut Sheet metal strips and Led light rope (Neo Flex) .
 My goal was to create a minimalist lightweight design by using minimummaterials andformers are used for sheet metal channels to join cubes. PYRO is made of recycled brass coloured anodised aluminium sheet metal due to environmental concerns and all the material used arerecyclables .The main design challenge was to get the natural looking configuration like that of a pyrite crystal as well as sustainable design with easy manufacturing.

Project Specs:
Stunning light fitting, made of only two unique parts. Inexpensive and designed for mass production. Based on crystalline form of Pyrite, with definite form and straight lines.
Laser cutters and Formers were used to createsheet metal channels that house the LED. Pyro ismade of only one unique part. Inexpensive and designed for mass production.
Sustainability and eco friendly manufacturing can create great affordable unique designs that can be mass produced. Aluminium channelwere used to create cubes which were assembleto create PYRO.
Dimensions;
length total 1532mm
Width 856mm
breath 748mm
Cubes
Length 420mm
Height 420mm
Width 4420mm

Bio:
I am currently a B.Industrial design student at Western Sydney University with eight year experience in art therapy who loves working on diverse projects, both large and small.  I did my diploma in Industrial design from Lidcombe Design school at South Western Tafe Sydney.I take my inspirations from Biomorphism and Natural forms in nature. I prides myself assustainability conscious designer aiming to achieve high standards of design and craftsmanship. My inspiration to create designs aremy mum Lady Nadira Naipaul who loves art and unique designs.

Place of Origin:
Sydney, Australia

Hiu Fung LEUNG

Title:
Quartz

Concept Statement:
“Quartz” is a floor lamp design. The design inspiration is derived from the various expression of crystallization. We observe that crystals in liquid seldom repeats its changes, in which they change depending on time, temperature and season. We are inspired by the various expression of it, as light changes when people use it with various needs.
We think of how lights react to its surrounding spaces and by what means to achieve the aim of utilizing its transparent structure to illuminate every corner of the spaces with the elegant caustics. We create a multi-faceted surface acrylic shade to produce the refracted and reflected lighting pattern.
Lights refract through the textured transparent shade to create an illusion where the room is being crystallized. Lights are reflected and refracted in any angles, therefore, the room can be lit up even when one single light bulb is being used.

Project Specs:
Material & Production:
Every single part of Quartz can be mass manufactured. The multi-faceted acrylic shade can be easily produced by existing molding method which makes the lamp lighter and more cost effective. The plated steel stand provides support to the lamp and it is easy to assemble each part with only two glass bolting. And users can replace the light bulb without disassemble the lamp shade.

Dimension:
Acrylic shade: 70cm x 46cm, Thickness: 3.3cm
Plated steel stand: 37cm x 29cm x 170cm, Diameter: 3cm

Bio:
Kevin Leung and Ivy Tai are both studying product design in the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. They think design is not only about aesthetic, a good design should have its value and meaning. They hope to create designs that can influence people, make little changes to the world. Also,as designers from the east, they want to bring their unique aesthetic to the rest of the world.

Place of Origin:
HONG KONG

Natalie Paolercio

Title:
QUARTZ

Concept Statement:
I started working with the form of the quartz crystal and how they cluster together, using my discoveries to generate forms. After a few iterations, I picked the one that would work best for a single tube light fixture at the base. Following this, I transformed the form into a stick frame that could have a skin applied to it. The concept was influenced by a student project I saw last semester that featured cone buildings capped by skylights. Although its form largely denoted to horizontality, the idea of creating a field of skylights lead me to consider a building as a lamp. It not only made me challenge ‘normal’ architectural design decisions (such as windows on walls over ceilings), but it also made me challenge what a ‘normal’ lamp is – why do most lamp shades cover their light source like a muzzle on a dog? That is why I chose to incorporate complex geometry that not only increases the range of lighting but also creates complex and varying shadows as opposed to a standard lamp shade. By manipulating light, one manipulates shadows.

Project Specs:
The lamp is versatile in both fabrication materials and aesthetic personalization. The frame could be made out of various materials (e.g. basswood connections, or soldered metal dowels). The frame is covered with a fabric skin (multiple designs and colors available); the clusters’ peaks are capped with a clouded plastic or thin glass panel. The lamp fixture is positioned at the base – able to be plugged into a wall outlet. The proposed height is anywhere between one to four feet. The lamp could be small enough to fit on a nightstand or large enough to cover a coffee table.

Bio:
My name is Natalie Paolercio. I am from San Jose, California but currently live in Los Angeles. I attend the University of Southern California and am in the fourth year of my five-year Bachelor of Architecture degree. My natural, deeply-rooted passion for architecture is definitely accredited to my parents. I was raised both by a contractor and ‘ornamenter’, thus I have been learning the art of building and decorating alongside my builder dad and designer mother. With each new facet of art I explore, the more I want to discover. In studio I am constantly inspired by the designs I see and find myself outside of class applying similar concepts to personal projects like lamps and ornaments.  The indisputable link between architecture, building, lighting and furniture encourages me believe that it is a direction I can see myself going.

Place of Origin:
San Jose, California

Aaron Oussoren & Shaun Arden

Title:
Round Lines

Concept Statement:
Using a process of designing through making, 'Round Lines' was developed from an exploration into the possibilities of 3D printing with glass. A series of moulds were printed to explore the possibilities of having a controlled void within the glass, and streamline the process of kiln-casting glass. An efficient workflow eliminating the lost-wax step places these objects in an innovative category of streamlined production and new opportunities with glass. The form and assembly of these glass components combine to insinuate a larger crystallized pattern, drawing on the variation and expressive depth of solid cast glass.

Project Specs:
Process: Direct 3D printed mould for glass casting
Materials: Cast glass, stainless steel, LED strip
Dimensions: w. 6", h. 2"

Bio:
Aaron Oussoren is a current MDES candidate at Emily Carr University, researching connections between traditional glass forming and digital manufacturing processes. Shaun Arden is a member of the Material Matters group at Emily Carr with a focus on digital manufacturing methods and industrial design.

URL:
www.aaronoussoren.com

Place of Origin:
Vancouver, Canada

Scott Yu-Jan

Title:
Stasis

Concept Statement:
Stasis is a visually and functionally adaptable luminaire. By turning the soft grip handles on its opposing sides, the light segment can be easily rotated for creating direct or indirect lighting, as well as for highlighting different spaces. The seamless form was inspired by the formulation of microcrystals during chemical reactions. A visually unobtrusive form that materializes in long bar-like lengths gently makes up its environment. Stasis achieves this with its minimum visible materials while also bringing a sense of balance into its space. No matter what kind of space it’s in, whether it’s anarchic or harmonious, Stasis will always be the subtle yet powerful centerpiece.

Project Specs:
Main body that holds the light is made from a 1 1/5 inch diameter aluminum extrusion. The length can be determined based on the space that Stasis is installed in. Extrusion can be cut length wise on a bandsaw to create an opening for the light filter. Light filters are made from plastic tubings cut in half and glued inside the main body. The side arms on both sides can also be made from aluminum extrusions bent with a pipe bender. Farther details of fabrication techniques and materials will exceed the 100 word limit. Contact designer for more design specs..

Bio:
Hello, my name is Scott Yu-Jan. I am currently a fourth year industrial design student at Emily Carr University. My body of work is emphasized on exploring the way people interact with objects. In a digital age of virtual interphases, touch surfaces, and monotonous buttons, I hope to reimagine the way we interact with objects by considering its possibilities for greater accessibility, functionality, and creativity.

URL:
www.styjdesign.com

Place of Origin:
Vancouver, Canada

Kendra Lemon

Title:
Tesselights

Concept Statement:
Like the nature of crystals, Tesselights build upon each other to create a whole. With each addition the Tesselights' makeup becomes more complex, and yet, easy to read. The lights can be added to, subtracted from, and reconfigured to create a new lamp, pendant, or wall sconce.

Project Specs:
10-inch equilateral triangle base; 5 inches in height. Perforated aluminum shade, wooden frame, LED lights, dimmer switch, and (powerful) magnets hidden in the frame.

Bio:
I am an aspiring designer set on challenging the way we live life and finding new ways to live it. I aim to create and find things and places that have their own personality, but also accepts everyone who interacts with them. Creating and learning how to create is the main theme in my life.

URL:
kendralemon.com

Place of Origin:
Chapman, Kansas