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Designer: Studio Tord Boontje

Tord Boontje does not believe that modernism means minimalism. In fact, this designer from the Netherlands is not afraid to celebrate the materials he uses in designs. Sometimes this means creating layers and layers of materials. Boontje is also inspired by nature and emotion. For Boontje, nature seems to evoke feelings of wonder. Boontje's Globe Pendant illustrates this idea of thinking about nature as a wild specimen. Something that even glass cannot control. His designs are meant to stimulate the observer's imagination. It's quite hard to not create a narrative or backstory to some of his pieces.

Boontje does not believe that contemporary designs should abandon tradition. Though Boontje, employs some of the latest technology when fabricating his designs, the materials he uses or designs hold some traditional context. Perhaps, this interest in tradition comes from his background. Born in Enchede, Netherlands in 1968, Boontje studied industrial design at the Design Academy in Eindohoven and went on to earn a Masters from the Royal College of Art in London. Currently, Boonje has set up Studio Tord Boontje in Bourg-Argental, France and teaches at the Royal College of Art. When looking at some of his products, one can almost imagine him wondering through the backwoods of France–making discoveries and feeding his imagination. Boontje was nominated for the Designer Of The Year Award at the Design Museum 2003. Tord was nominated Designer of the Year by Elle Decoration UK and his renowned Garland Light (for Artecnica) won the awards for best light and readers choice for Future Classic.

Designer: Emma Woffenden

Emma Woffenden works as an artist producing sculpture and installations. She has a special interest in glass making and has curated exhibitions, lectured and acted as an educational examiner in this area. Emma is represented by Barrett Marsden gallery London. She earned an MA in ceramics and glass at Royal College of Art. London.

Awards: 2002 Arts Council of England grant, 1999 research funding from The London Institute. 1998 Arts Council of England combined arts grant, 1997 The Arts Foundation Glass Fellowship. 1994 Crafts Council setting up grant, 1984 Crafts Council advanced training grant.

Public collections: British Council Brussels B, Brighton and Hove museum G.B, Glasmuseum Alter Hof Herding G, Arts Review Collection London, Victoria and Albert museum London, Crafts Council National collection London. MoMA, New York (tranSglass). Recent exhibitions include: in 2005, Craft in Dialogue at The National Museum Stockholm, and an installation at The Global Glass Art triannual. 2004 solo show with Barrett Marsden gallery, and ‘No Horizon’ a three part site sensitive installation. Her first major solo show was at the National Glass Museum, Sunderland G.B. in 1998. Shows in the U.S.A. include The other side of the looking glass, at Turtle Bay Exploration Park, California 2003. The unexpected at Sothebys New York 2001, the International 20th century Art Fair, New York.