Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 FORM Student Design Competition!
Please check back in August for information about the 2027 FORM Student Innovation Competition, including how to apply.
The 2026 FORM Student Innovation Competition invited students to design a furniture piece interpreting the theme of “Mood-Boosting Design.”
Prizes
The grand prizewinner will receive a $2,000 cash prize and their fabricated design will be displayed at NeoCon 2026 in Chicago. The two winners who tied for second place will each receive a $1,000 cash prize and the third-place winner will receive $500. The winners are all invited to join Formica Corporation at NeoCon 2026 for a chance to network with industry professionals and get a taste of the design community.
About The Competition
The FORM Student Innovation Competition is a modern take on the original “FORM: Contemporary Architects at Play” challenge, held by Formica Corporation in 2008. Ten world-renowned architects, including Zaha Hadid, Michael Graves, Bernard Tschumi and Massimo Vignelli, constructed new works of art from Formica® Brand products.
Winners of the 2026 FORM Student Innovation Competition are:
Grand Prize Winner
Kassandra Avila from Cégep de Trois-Rivières in Quebec, Canada, “VIVO”
About the Design:
“VIVO” is a versatile furniture piece primarily designed for children that supports a range of activities, encouraging creativity, play and self-expression while fostering independence and exploration. Thoughtfully designed for children of varying sizes, its components can be arranged to suit different needs and engage users in multiple ways. With its rounded forms and soft blue and white palette, VIVO creates a calming, luminous atmosphere that inspires joy.
Second Place (Tie)
Vania Lau from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, “Lumine
About the Design:
“Lumine” is an all-in-one bedside table designed to create a calm, clutter-free nighttime experience with a built-in lamp emitting a gentle glow and features a pull-out lap desk with integrated storage.
Emile Tessier from Cégep Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu in Quebec, Canada, “The Foam
About the Design:
“The Foam” draws inspiration from the light, fleeting quality of soap suds to create a playful, practical furniture piece designed to spark wonder, encourage creativity and support short-term activities in educational and child-focused spaces.
Third Place
Nicholas Luter from Ringling College of Art & Design in Sarasota, Florida, “The Pylon Pets"
About the Design:
“The Pylon Pets” is a versatile seating system featuring stylized dog and cat silhouettes inspired by Art Deco geometry. Blending whimsical sculpture with everyday function, the stackable chairs are designed to make seating a playful experience and bring joy to kid-centric public spaces.