In particular, attendees are introduced to student and young designers in “The Block”—an exhibition space near the main entrance of the convention center.
For younger designers, there is a freedom in expression through production that can, at times, be edited out of the process in larger projects and firms. The Block showcases an optimism that can sometimes feel buried in tradeshows.
Of the exhibitors, Hanna Lantto’s work in particular stood out to both myself and Cara McCarty, curatorial director of the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, who named Lantto’s Piilo stool-slash-table as one of her favorite products throughout the show.
In her description, Lantto says that while she “would like to see it used in personal and fun color combinations”—of which six are available—“most importantly as a natural part of [the] user’s surroundings.”
