Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.03.2013, Side 44

The Grapevine Design Awards 2013
Now in their third year, The Grapevine Design Awards are
bigger than ever. We once again rounded up a small panel
of design experts and asked them to determine what was
most cutting-edge in 2012. In addition to ‘Best Product,’ ‘Best
Product Line,’ and ‘Best Design Project,’ the panel added a
new category, ‘Best Fashion Design’ to the roster. Judging by
the number of runners-up, it looks like it was a good year for
Iceland’s growing design scene. Now without further ado, we
present you the awards!
On the panel:
Helgi Steinar Helgason
Architect at the Iceland Design Centre
Sari Peltonen
Contributing writer at The Reykjavík Grapevine
Rúna Thors
Designer & teacher at Iceland Academy of the Arts
Auður Karitas
Managing director and stylist at Ari Magg
Hafsteinn Júlíusson
Designer at HAF
…For Best Product, Product Line, Design Project, and Fashion Design of 2012
The Reykjavík Grapevine DesignMarch Special 2013 4
Prik
by Brynjar Sigurðarson
Prik by Brynjar Sigurðarson, an exhibi-
tion of wooden objects at SPARK
Design Space, leans towards design
as art—an example of how varied and
wide the spectrum of Icelandic design
is today. Beautiful development of origi-
nal, visually interesting work with fishing
ropes and old knots, Brynjar’s Prik has a
strong connection to Icelandic culture.
Brynjar is one of the most promising
new names in Icelandic design.
Fifty
by Dögg Guðmundsdóttir
and Arnved Design Studio
A new take on the classic Flag
Halyard chair (1950) by Hans Wegner,
Fifty is aesthetically beautiful, comfort-
able and well suited to both indoors
and outdoors use. Rope as material
is used in a new, interesting way, and
its design provides privacy in a subtle
way. Being produced by Ligne Roset
and receiving the Wallpaper Design
Award are both notable achievements
for an Icelandic designer. We admire
Dögg’s long and successful career in
furniture and product design.
Jónófón
by Jón Helgi Hólmgeirsson
A graduation project by the
young product designer Jón Helgi
Hólmgeirsson, Jónófón is a flat pack
carton-plywood-and-paper cup record
player that you put together yourself.
Fun, carry-with-you, affordable, DIY,
it’s a great take on a classic product.
We also appreciate the beautiful
form language and the overall well-
thought-out concept.
Cod II by Kría Jewellery (Jóhanna
Methúsalemsdóttir) is a collection of
jewellery inspired by cod bones. An in-
teresting, beautiful new take on cod—
the staple fish that kept the nation alive
for centuries—the connection to local
culture is strong. While the collection
is strongly rooted in the local tradition
and the form, language is almost po-
etic; it speaks to wide audiences both
across cultures and genders and is an
economically successful product.
The objects have great proportions
and compositions and have an inter-
esting relation to human body. Details
are well considered and the use of two
different metals, silver and brass, is
clever. In addition to looking great, this
also makes the items more affordable.
Kría’s concept is strong and the
story is good. The extended product,
from marketing to packaging and distri-
bution, is well done.

As We Grow
As We Grow is a sustainable, high
quality children’s clothing label with
beautifully designed items promoting
a great thought: reusing and expand-
ing the lifetime of children’s clothes—
perfect for the most important people
in the world.
STAKA
Is it an accessory? Is it jewellery?
STAKA may lack definition but
certainly doesn’t lack in originality.
The collection of modern jewellery
combines beautiful craftsmanship and
local materials with modern technol-
ogy, and is beautifully presented.
Holster Cod II by Kría Jewelery
A unisex vest for carrying small items,
Holster is the outcome of a cross-
disciplinary collaboration between
graphic designer Siggi Odds and fash-
ion designer Bóas Kristjánsson. Made
from leftover cuts of local high quality
leather, it promotes recycling and
environmental values. It is high quality
and genuinely functional—a practical
new design solution to add to our
work and travel wardrobes. We ap-
preciate that the entire product is well
thought-out from the craftsmanship to
the retailer choices, brand develop-
ment and communication. Holster
suits many target groups—perhaps
more than it is given credit for—men,
women, craftsmen for carrying their
essential tools as well as hipsters
walking down Laugavegur with their
iPhones and headsets.
Runners-up:
Runners-up:
We look forward to
seeing more in 2013: