A Contest to Find Tomorrow’s Classic

It’s a dream team lineup for at least one gifted designer.

Dwell magazine, Design Within Reach (DWR) and WantedDesign 2012 are joining forces for a contest to find the next “classic of tomorrow.”

They call it the Live/Work Design Contest, and it’s open now.

“We’re looking for a product or furniture idea that is destined to be a future live/work staple,” says Dwell’s Editor-in-Chief Amanda Dameron. “This is an amazing opportunity for an under-the-radar or established designer to see a project realized.”

The aim of the design contest is to mix business with pleasure – to find a future live/work staple worthy of joining the ranks of the DWR retail collection.

“Design Within Reach is focused on making modern design accessible, which includes supporting emerging designers and educating consumers about their work,” says DWR CEO John Edelman. “For us, the Live/Work Design Contest represents an exciting opportunity to partner with Dwell to discover new talent and simultaneously provide our customers with a workspace solution that improves productivity and helps them tackle everyday challenges.”

In April, a panel of judges will select up to 10 finalists based on evaluations of both overall design and manufacturing potential. The jury will be made up of editors and executives from Dwell, DWR and WantedDesign. In May, finalists’ entries will be published on dwell.com, and the public will be encouraged to vote for their favorite live/work solution.

Additionally, live voting will occur at WantedDesign in New York, May 18–21, 2012, where finalists’ entries will be on display. During the week around Dwell on Design, five finalists’ designs will be on view at DWR Beverly Boulevard Studio.   The grand-prize winner will be unveiled on June 22, 2012, at Dwell on Design in Los Angeles.

“We know that Dwell’s readership is one-half consumers and one-half designers and architects,” says Dwell Senior Editor Kelsey Keith.  “We’re trying to position this contest as a way to marry these two sides.”

It’s a strategic move for the magazine and its partners – and for one very fortunate designer as well.

For details, go to http://new.dwell.com/contests/live-work-design-contest

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