Formica Student Competition Winners Talk Inspiration and Innovation Behind Their Laminate Designs

In this episode, we talk to the winners of the 2022 Formica FORM Student Design Competition about the inspiration behind their entries, their experiences of working with laminate as a medium and the challenges they faced along the way.
June 3, 2022
3 min read
Formica
The Twins Table is the first-place winner of the 2022 Formica FORM Student Innovation Competition.
The Twins Table is the first-place winner of the 2022 Formica FORM Student Innovation Competition.

As part of its ongoing commitment to celebrate up-and-coming design professionals, Formica Corporation recently announced the winners of the 2022 FORM Student Innovation Competition. In this episode of I Hear Design, we talk to the first- and third-place winners of the 2022 Formica FORM Student Design Competition about the inspiration behind their entries, their experiences of working with laminate as a medium and the challenges they faced along the way.

This episode was produced in partnership with Formica Corporation.

Our guests:

Owen Serey, Assistant Marketing Manager/PR Communications, Formica Corporation

Sarah Dezember, School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Wenhan Zhang, School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Julienne Bernier, Georgian College, Ontario, Canada

View the winning entries:

Formica
Sarah Dezember and Wenhan Zhang from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago are the grand prizewinners for their joint entry 'Twins Table.'
Sarah Dezember and Wenhan Zhang from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago are the grand prizewinners for their joint entry "Twins Table."
Grand prize: Sarah Dezember and Wenhan Zhang from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago are the grand prizewinners for their joint entry "Twins Table." Those living in big cities often have smaller spaces that still must serve an ever-changing and ever-growing number of needs. The Twins Table was created to provide flexible, multipurpose furniture that can seamlessly transition between functions. It can be used in four different ways and in its standard configuration, one side of the round table seats two people comfortably. When completely closed, it can be stored away or used as decoration. Twins Table also comes in a variety of Formica Laminate woodgrains, colors and patterns, offering a broad range of design options.

“Twins Table is an incredibly clever design that rethinks the traditional tray table for modern spaces where flexibility is essential,” said Renee Hytry Derrington, competition judge and managing principal of North American design at Formica Corporation. “Through detailed renderings, this team inspired us with the versatility of this design through its multiple configurations and striking finish options.”

Formica
Christina Vogiatzis from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, was awarded second prize for her 'Pawd' design, a unique, multifunctional and stylish furniture piece designed to serve and connect all forms of life, from humans to animals and plants.
Christina Vogiatzis from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, was awarded second prize for her "Pawd" design, a unique, multifunctional and stylish furniture piece designed to serve and connect all forms of life, from humans to animals and plants.
Second prize: Christina Vogiatzis from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, was awarded second prize for her "Pawd" design, a unique, multifunctional and stylish furniture piece designed to serve and connect all forms of life, from humans to animals and plants. The sleek design of Pawd features three main components to support a diverse range of activities, from work to play and more.
Formica
Julienne Bernier from Georgian College in Ontario, Canada, was awarded third prize for her 'Annual Ring' chair design.
Julienne Bernier from Georgian College in Ontario, Canada, was awarded third prize for her "Annual Ring" chair design.
Third prize: Julienne Bernier from Georgian College in Ontario, Canada, was awarded third prize for her "Annual Ring" chair design. Inspired from the annual rings that show the age of trees, the Annual Ring chair reflects the lifetime journey of humans and trees alike. With nine stages of human development, this piece uses nine woodgrain laminates to represent each stage arranged in a gradient from light to dark, symbolizing the beginning and end of life. The chair structure has no beginning and no end, just like the circle of life.

Honorable mentions: Other top ten finishers, in no particular order, include:

  • Amber Scott from Ball State University
  • Bethany Mumford from Savannah College of Art and Design
  • Blaine Zweifel from Ringling College of Art and Design
  • Jenna Muller from College for Creative Studies
  • Mary Li and Golnazsadat Jakakzadeh Azar from Yorkville University
  • Molly Taylor from Mississippi State University
  • Pasang Lhamo Sherpa from Georgian College

For more information about the winning students’ designs, visit www.formica.com/studentcompetition.

About the Author

Robert Nieminen
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Robert Nieminen

Chief Content Director

Chief Content Director, Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, and interiors+sources

Robert Nieminen is the Chief Content Director of three leading B2B publications serving the commercial architecture and design industries: Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, and interiors+sources. With a career rooted in editorial excellence and a passion for storytelling, Robert oversees a diverse content portfolio that spans award-winning feature articles, strategic podcast programming, and digital media initiatives aimed at empowering design professionals, facility managers, and commercial building stakeholders.

He is the host of the I Hear Design podcast and curates the Smart Buildings Technology Report, bringing thought leadership to the forefront of innovation in built environments. Robert leads editorial and creative direction for multiple industry award programs—including the Elev8 Design Awards and Product Innovation Awards—and is a recognized voice in sustainability, smart technology integration, and forward-thinking design.

Known for his sharp editorial vision and data-informed strategies, Robert focuses on audience growth, engagement, and content monetization, leveraging AI tools and SEO-driven insights to future-proof B2B publishing.

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