Reporting by Jenny Hsu

In the last few days leading up to the juried review of our collaboration with Poltrona Frau, our studio workspace descended into complete disarray—with tools and materials scattered everywhere. The last bits of scrap leather were hotly contested and, naturally, the industrial sewing machines had failed just days before the presentation was due! As a result, some projects ended up having to be hand-stitched as time was pressing and quality had to be kept to a high standard. Sleep deprivation, minor scrapes and bruises notwithstanding, we managed to pull it together in time for the juried final review.

The jury panel consisted of legendary designer Massimo Vignelli, Paul Makovsky (Editorial Director, Metropolis Magazine), Sara Gobbo and Federico Materazzi (Poltrona Frau), Mark Bechtel (Interim Director of Product Design at Parsons) and our instructor, designer Andrea Ruggiero. We presented 15 projects, ranging from cigar cases and drink coasters to picture frames and candle holders. Per the design brief, we were required to address wastelessness and how we would envision the potential production of our pieces to enable the least amount of material waste. In a few cases, there was some disagreement between the judges as to the complexity and labor involved to produce a few of the objects. Regardless, the critics met privately after the presentations to decide the three winners of the competition, who will get to visit Poltrona Frau's factory in Tolentino, Italy, in the second half of July.

"Doppio" by Hayley Kim

"Spirale" by Noemi Szalavari

"Bottoni" by Aaron Chan

"Piqnique" by Jenny Hsu

Now that the presentations are finally over, all we have to do (aside from completing our finals) is to wait to learn who the winners will be. Join us on May 18th at Poltrona Frau's SoHo Showroom for a preview of Poltrona Frau's 2013 Collection and Parsons' "Wasteless" Design Competition. The winners will be announced during the opening reception, at 6pm!

Parsons the New School for Design × Poltrona Frau - Designing for Wastelessness:
» Part 1 - Introduction
» Part 2 - How Many Students Does It Take to Work a Sewing Machine?
»Part 3 - Judgment Day
» Part 4 - The Final Projects
» Part 5 - A Visit to the Poltrona Frau Factory in Tolentino