Iain Johnson, judge at the Porada International Design Award 2020/21

Last week, Iain Johnson, CEO of Allect Design Group was joined by Lena Cottray, Creative Lead at Lawson Robb in the enchanting location of Serre di Villa del Grumello.Charmingly set in Lake Como, they were invited to be on the judging panel by Porada in the Design Award International. The jury gathered to decide the winners of the latest edition.

The jury consisted of:Bruno Allievi, Associate PoradaTiziano Allievi, Associate PoradaIain Johnson, CEO Rigby & Rigby Studio, LondonLena Cottray, Co-Design Director Lawson Robb Studio, LondonVincenzo Castellana, architect and designer, ADI board memberCsaba dalla Zorza, writer, tv personality, director of Marie Claire Maison ItaliaRoberto de Paolis, POLI.designAnne Desnos, director of Marie Claire Maison FrancePatrick Jouin, designer, Paris

The international level jury, met at Villa del Grumello Greenhouse, Lake Como, to evaluate the 343 applications received from all over the world: 165 projects by professionals and 178 projects by students.In evaluating the entries, the judges took into account: their originality, the degree of innovation and pursuit of new design solutions related to the processes typically used for solid wood, experimentation with materials and surface finishes, the capacity of projects to define and anticipate scenarios of use and innovative concepts in the use of wooden furniture and contemporary furnishings.

The jury announced three winners for each of the two competing categories (Students and Professionals), The winners will be awarded in an dedicated event during the Salone del Mobile, taking place in Milan from April 5th to 10th, 2022.These are winners their names:For the “Students” category:1) Francesco Canali2) Karen Tsui3) Lucia CarnevaliniSpecial Mention: Jingyong HuangFor the “Professionals” category:1) Cornelius Comanns2) Marco Ferriani e Sara Sbolgi3) Kazuya MaieThe Porada International Design Award is a design contest, held annually, promoted by the company Porada Arredi of Cabiate (CO), organized by POLI.design, a company founded by the Politecnico di Milano, with the patronage of ADI – Associazione per il Disegno Industriale.The competition, aimed at Italian and foreign designers and creatives (individuals or groups), freelancers or non-professionals, employees of companies and design students, has reached its 11th edition this year organized by POLI.design.

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