An impressive 6,500 design lovers, including members of the media and trade, converged on DUMBO, Brooklyn, May 9 – 11 for BKLYN DESIGNS™ 2008, kicking off the much-anticipated New York Design Week.  Presented annually by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, the record-breaking number of exhibitors and attendees at this year’s three-day exhibition has grown significantly since the show premiered in 2003.  The action and excitement was nonstop all weekend, as visitors of all ages took advantage of all four show venues: St. Ann’s Warehouse, Smack Mellon, Dumbo Arts Center, and the BD+ Accessories Market in the Tobacco Warehouse in Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park. (Click here to view photos from the event.)

Seventy juried exhibitors flaunted their innovative contemporary furnishings, lighting, and accessories.  The result was hundreds of meticulous creative masterpieces made from wood, metal, and glass for every room and any taste.

According to Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Carl Hum, "This year's record-topping number of exhibitors and visitors to BKLYN DESIGNS™ demonstrates the excitement and interest in the borough's creative community. The expansion to four venues, the growth of BD+, the design accessories market, and the assembly of thought-provoking panels offered something for everyone. The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is proud to have presented another edition of BKLYN DESIGNS™ and is already looking forward to next year."
 
More than ever, eco-design was on the forefront with a number of participants exhibiting environmentally responsible practices in design and fabrication, including Argington’s hip children’s furniture, EcoSystems’s clever double position chair, Uhuru’s KUPE line, crafted from recycled whiskey barrels, and Nicholas Furrow’s custom lighting, showcased in whimsical pods made from salvaged records and their jackets. 
 
According to Emmanuel Delalain, of Atelier Delalain, a brand new exhibitor, “This was our first show and I was just amazed at the public reaction; they were so emotional about the products and some waited until I was personally available at the booth to tell me how much they liked them.  I was overwhelmed and it really touched my heart to see this reaction.  It’s only been a few days since the show and I have been flooded with emails.  BKLYN DESIGNS was an amazing experience for us overall.”

Added Noah Prince of Phosphoria Design, "Having only worked with architects, designers and decorators, I found BKLYN DESIGNS to be a wonderful opportunity to meet the public. As a lamp designer you need to have contact with all levels, especially the final user!"

Celeste Coughlin, owner of Asterisk Designs, was a returning exhibitor to the show.  “BKLYN DESIGNS always draws an interesting and diverse crowd – with a perfect mix of press, designers and homeowners.  They really responded to my range of hand-made, Venetian plaster papers.  Our 10’ tall displays added a touch of drama to the experience and allowed attendees to touch the surfaces and better understand the production process.”

BKLYN DESIGNS’ Target® Design Speaker Series featured an exciting and well-received line-up of informative lectures and seminars appealing to all interests. Cutting-edge designer Sami Hayek set the standard with an inspiring keynote about his design process from luxury to mass.  Julie Taraska, contributor for Interior Design, chatted with Pratt Institute alumni about how they are making their mark on the design world. Not forgetting Mother’s Day, New York Magazine design editor Wendy Goodman, led an open discussion for parents and kids about their design challenges and dreams.

Other session topics included the trend of limited-edition furniture making its way to museums and auction houses, a panel discussion about the recent renaissance of designing and manufacturing by craftspeople in Brooklyn, a discussion exploring the new alliance between design and development, as well as several conversations about the ever important issue of sustainability and going "green." 

“I was really surprised to see how many different exhibitors there were and the many takes on furnishings – from stickers to paintings to lighting to skateboards! It’s brilliant,” proclaimed Julius Robson, a first-time visitor to the show from Paris.

“I particularly like the intimacy of a small show with a neighborhood feel.  Other shows can be hyper-produced and leave you feeling separated from the design, but BKLYN DESIGNS is tangible.  It’s like visiting a village of designers who you can talk to, without feeling intimidated, which is very comforting,” stated product photographer Paul Godwin, another attendee.

Pratt Students Nab Top Honors
A definite highlight of the show was the Pratt Institute display of designs by undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Industrial Design, curated by Professor Tim Richartz.  Attendees and bloggers were all abuzz about the excellence of this year’s work, which also caught the attention of the judges of this year’s show’s design awards.

The second annual Young Designer Award, a collaboration between Design Within Reach (DWR) and Pratt Institute, went to Ian Collings for "Urban Driftwood,” Gregory Buntain for "Axis" and Robert Volek for "Filament" (which additionally won third place earlier this year in the inaugural George Kovacs Lighting Competition). These top student designs will be on display at DWR, Brooklyn Heights for one month following the show.

Gregory Buntain was also the winner of the Target Design Award for his clever compact and ready-to-assemble “Intension” table, packaged neatly in its own wooden box. This first-time award celebrates exceptional talent and promise in the field of design and its winner was judged among all exhibitors of the show. As part of the award, Buntain has been invited to join an assembly of the country’s top designers in an event at the Cooper Hewitt during National Design Week in October.

BKLYN DESIGNS™ is presented by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce; the 2008 show was sponsored by Target, The Clarett Group, Two Trees Management, Pratt Institute, Benjamin Moore, Con Edison, Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center, AIA, ASID and IIDA. The official 2008 media partners were Interior Design and New York Magazine.  BKLYN DESIGNS™ receives support from Speaker Sheldon Silver and the NYS Assembly Brooklyn Delegation, Speaker Christine Quinn and the NYC Council Brooklyn Delegation, and the New York City Department of Small Business Services. For more information visit bklyndesigns.com.  Interested companies can contact auster*events for sponsorship and marketing opportunities at 718-243-1414.