Every MAISON&OBJET event provides a space for expression to five up-and-coming names in the world of design, offering them a chance to present their work to professionals from around the world. For the upcoming MAISON&OBJET PARIS show, held 22-26 January 2016, a selection of five fresh Scandinavian design talents will have the opportunity to showcase their works on a space entirely dedicated to them, located in Hall 7.

The MAISON&OBJET PARIS January 2016 Rising Talents:

Jonas Edvard, from Denmark

A design graduate of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts (2013), Jonas Edvard is an independent designer developing new experience of design objects through a research and development of raw unprocessed materials. Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, his aim is to create sustainable furniture using materials that explore the potential of a global green economy. Jonas Edvard’s work is characterized by a profound focus on the qualities of already existing materials, diving into their history and ranges of uses, to create functional products with a simple and honest approach. In 2014, Jonas Edvard showed his Myx lamp as part of The Danish Craft Collection and in 2015 The Terroir Project was shown in Milan as part of the Mindcraft15 exhibition. Jonas has received numerous prizes and grants and has been featured in several exhibitions, including the permanent collection of the Danish Design Museum and the Trapholt Museum.

Troels Flensted, from Denmark

Born in 1987, Troels Flensted graduated from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London. After graduating in 2014, he moved back to his native country, Denmark and started his own studio. His experimental studio explores the potential within material behaviours, colours and alternative manufacturing processes, and finds inspiration in the aesthetics and undiscovered possibilities deriving from combining the three. This approach has led to exciting projects and commissions for both private and corporate clients. Since the launch of his studio, his work has been exhibited at some of the most respected design fairs across Europe – Dutch Design Week, London Design Festival, May Design Series, Stockholm Design Week, etc. – and he has been featured in numerous influential design media across the world: Dazed, Icon, Dezeen, Milk Décoration, to name a few. In 2015, he received a residency at the Danish Art Workshops.

Katriina Nuutinen, from Finland

Katriina Nuutinen was born in 1983, in Helsinki, Finland. She graduated from the School of Arts and Design at Aalto University, Helsinki with a Master’s degree in 2011. Katriina’s work is an outstanding example of modern Finnish glass design, inspired by the captivating interplay of glass and light. She specializes in glass and ceramics, but her work is also characterized by explorations with wood, metal, leather and textiles, as well as combining different materials. The delicate Hely jewel lamp is a perfect example of her know-how of various materials and her creative flair. Katriina’s harmonic work mainly consists of lights, interior accessories and tableware. However, her attraction towards concept designing, as well as furniture design is increasing. In 2011 she was awarded the Finnish talent of the year in Muoto2011 gala in Helsinki. In 2014, her Oma floor lamp was selected for Homeware Top 25 by Monocle magazine. More recently, she was also awarded a one-year grant by the Finnish Cultural Foundation.

Kneip, from Norway

Kneip is a craft, design and art studio founded by Jørgen Platou Willumsen and Stian Korntved Ruud, both graduates of the Oslo School of Architecture and Design. Jørgen Platou Willumsen completed his Bachelor’s degree in product design in 2010 and decided to take a Master’s degree in art to complement his education. Stian Korntved Ruud trained in product design at Akershus University College and the Oslo School of Architecture and Design, before going on to do an internship at Tom Dixon in London. Nature and craftsmanship are important sources of inspiration. Both designers are interested in telling stories through their objects, which are all handmade and produced either as small series or unique pieces. Jørgen and Stian work in a wide range of expressions and techniques and want Kneip to be moving towards a meeting point between art, design and craftsmanship. They have exhibited in various international events, including the Vienna, Oslo and London Design Weeks (2015).

Färg & Blanche, from Sweden

The French-Swedish design studio Färg & Blanche was founded in 2010 by the designers Fredrik Färg and Emma Marga Blanche. Fredrik took his Master’s degree in design in 2008 and Emma graduated in 2006. Known for their experimental stance, where each expression informs the other, they work across a wide variety of fields, collaborating with established Scandinavian furniture brands and producing their own collections and limited art pieces for galleries around the world. Their sense of experimentation with materials and production methods, in particular in textiles, can be felt throughout Emma and Fredrik’s work, which often has a tailored, yet playful touch. They have received numerous awards, such as the FORM +1 Award 2014 for Best Product at the Stockholm Furniture Fair, Sköna Hem Best Product of the Year 2013, and Swedish ELLE Deco Young Talent 2009, among others. They have also collaborated with Comme Des Garçons making exhibitions in Tokyo, Seoul and Paris and have created a number of acclaimed exhibitions, including "20 designers at Biologiska" 2011 and "Inside Scandinavian Design" 2015. Over the years, they have taken part in many exhibitions, including furniture fairs in Milan, Stockholm, New York, London, Tokyo, and Cologne.