Jury Alumni

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  Mariano Flore

  Senior Graphic Designer, Atipus Barcelona

  2017 Visual Communication Jury Member

  Mariano Fiore is an Argentinian Graphic Designer based in Barcelona specializing in corporate identity, editorial design and packaging.
  
  He believes in a conceptual work and a simple and direct visual language. In 2009 Mariano got his degree in Graphic Design from the ESD of Murcia. He has 6 years of graphic design experience working in studios from Bolzano (Italy), Murcia and Barcelona (Spain).
  
  In the last years Marino has worked developing projects for national and international clients.
  
  He is currently working at Atipus Barcelona as a senior graphic designer.

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  Mike Ford

  Founder, Hip Hop Architecture

  2019 Design for Social Impact Jury Member

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  Laura Forlano

  Associate Professor of Design & Director of Critical Futures Lab, Illinois Institute of Design

  2021 Speculative Design Jury Member

  Laura Forlano, a Fulbright award-winning and National Science Foundation funded scholar, is a writer, social scientist and design researcher. She is an Associate Professor of Design at the Institute of Design and Affiliated Faculty in the College of Architecture at Illinois Institute of Technology where she is Director of the Critical Futures Lab. Forlano’s research is focused on the aesthetics and politics at the intersection between design and emerging technologies. Over the past ten years, she has studied the materialities and futures of socio-technical systems such as autonomous vehicles and smart cities; 3D printing, local manufacturing and innovation ecosystems; automation, distributed labor practices and the future of work; and, computational fashion, smart textiles and wearable medical technologies. She is an editor of three books: Bauhaus Futures (MIT Press 2019), digitalSTS (Princeton University Press 2019) and From Social Butterfly to Engaged Citizen (MIT Press 2011). She received her Ph.D. in communications from Columbia University.

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  Dan Formosa, Ph.D

  Founder, ThinkActHuman

  2023 Commerical & Industrial Equipment Jury Member

  Dan consults with companies worldwide on design and innovation. An early proponent of “design for all” (a.k.a. Inclusive Design), he also lectures internationally on research and the future of design. He is the recipient of numerous design awards and has appeared in several documentary films.
  Dan holds degrees in product design, ergonomics and biomechanics. He recently established ThinkActHuman, a consultancy named to reflect his goal, design for a better world. He also co-founded 4B Collective, focused on design and gender, and co-founded the Masters in Branding program at the School of Visual Arts in New York.
  In other work, he co-authored / co-illustrated the Baseball Field Guide, a bestselling book using principles of information design to explain the complex rules of baseball. He’s host of the successful YouTube series “Well Equipped,” produced by Epicurious for Condé Nast, critiquing in a less-than-serious way the usability of various odd kitchen gadgets.
  

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  Thom Fougere

  Founder, Thom Fougere Studio

  2018 Furniture & Lighting Jury Member

  Thom Fougere Studio was founded in the fall of 2015 in Winnipeg, Canada. The studio works within various fields of art and design, but with a focus on furniture and products for the home. All projects are characterized by careful research into materiality, history, aesthetics, and functionality. The studio offers full creative direction, furniture and interior design services.
  
  Thom Fougere (1987) studied architecture at the University of Manitoba before working in furniture and product design. In 2011, after his studies in Architecture, he was appointed Creative Director of Canadian furniture design house EQ3 at the age of 24. There he initiated a rebranding of the company including a transformation of the product line, graphic design, photography, interiors and the architectural design of stores. Thom Fougere continues to investigate how we live and interact with objects in our homes, creating pieces that are both subtle and archetypal in form. His works have been shown internationally at the design fairs in Milan, Stockholm, New York, and Toronto.

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  Erich Fox

  Producer, Executive Team Director, Gentilhomme

  2024 Built Environment Jury Captain

  With nearly three decades of experience, Erich stands as a seasoned professional in the dynamic realm of technically challenging projects. His extensive portfolio boasts successful leadership across the globe, encompassing diverse ventures such as theme-park attractions, large-scale exhibits, experiential and environmental activations, restaurants and public spaces.
  
  Erich's expertise lies not just in project execution, but in his role as a guiding force. His primary focus is on meticulously navigating clients and partners through the intricacies of project planning. Whether it's aligning the design vision or establishing a robust foundational project plan, Erich ensures precision and alignment in every step of the process.
  
  Based in the vibrant city of Toronto, Erich finds joy in the simple pleasures of life. Outside the dynamic world of project management, he shares his home with his wife and dogs. Erich's leisure activities reflect his creative spirit, indulging in drawing and model-making. His green thumb finds expression in gardening, and he embraces an active lifestyle by embarking on long-distance bicycle rides. Beyond the boardroom, Erich's passions reveal a well-rounded individual with a zest for both the creative and the outdoors.

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  Eva Franch

  Chief Curator and Executive Director, Storefront for Art and Architecture

  2017 Built Environment Jury Member

  Eva Franch is a New York based architect, curator, educator and lecturer of experimental forms of art and architectural practice. In 2004, she founded her solo practice OOAA (Office of Architectural Affairs) and since 2010 is the Chief Curator and Executive Director of Storefront for Art and Architecture in New York. Franch specializes in the making of alternative architecture histories and futures.
  
  Franch has lectured internationally on art, architecture, and the importance of alternative practices in the construction and understanding of public life at educational and cultural institutions including the Royal college of Art and the Architecture Association in London, Arts Club of Chicago, Cooper Union in New York, Hong Kong University, IAAC in Barcelona, Izolatsia in Kiev, Kuwait University, SVA in New York, San Francisco Art Institute, Sandberg Institute in Amsterdam, University of Manitoba, UT Sidney, Oslo School of Architecture, Princeton University, SCI-Arc in Los Angeles , and Yale University among others.
  
  In 2014 Franch, with the project OfficeUS, was selected by the US State Department to represent the United States Pavilion at the XIV Venice Architecture Biennale. Franch has taught at Columbia University GSAPP, the IUAV University of Venice, SUNY Buffalo, and Rice University School of Architecture.
  
  Recent publications by Franch include Agenda (Lars Muller, 2014) and Atlas (Lars Muller, 2015) both as part of OfficeUS. An upcoming publication, the OfficeUS Manual will be published in 2017.

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  Aimee Franco

  Product Designer

  2017 Commerical & Industrial Equipment Jury Member

  Aimee Franco is an independent design consultant based in Brooklyn, NY. She studied industrial design at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan and currently works on projects that span the physical and digital product realms.
  
  Passionate about designing for impact, Aimee has spent most of her career working in the healthcare space. Early on, she worked with Fortune 500 medical technology companies as an industrial designer at​ ​Tekna​. Later, she collaborated with​ ​iDE Cambodia​ on healthcare-focused international development projects, and she began designing digital experiences. More recently, as Product Design Lead at Caremerge, she worked on designing a care coordination platform for older adults, and has since become an independent consultant.
  
  Aimee has also taught as an adjunct instructor for Startup Institute’s web design program.

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  Jeffrey Franklin

  Co-Director, PLAYLAB, INC.

  2019 Built Environment Jury Member

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  Max Fraser

  Design Commentator, London Design Guide

  2017 Design Concept Jury Member

  Max Fraser works as a design commentator across the media of books, magazines, exhibitions, video, and events to broaden the conversation around contemporary design. He delivers content and strategy for a variety of public and private bodies in the UK and abroad.
  
  He is the author of several design books including DESIGN UK and DESIGNERS ON DESIGN, which he co-wrote with Sir Terence Conran. He owns Spotlight Press, a publishing imprint, recent titles include LONDON DESIGN GUIDE and DEZEEN BOOK OF IDEAS. As a journalist, he writes for publications including Newsweek International, Financial Times, CNN Style and Blueprint. Previously, he worked as the Deputy Director of the London Design Festival from 2012-2015.

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  Holly Friend

  Deputy Foresight Editor, The Future Laboratory

  2022 Speculative Design Jury Member

  Holly Friend is a trend forecaster and futurist obsessed with consumer behaviour. As The Future Laboratory’s deputy foresight editor and in-house Generation Z expert, her work shapes the trends intelligence platform LS:N Global, including micro and macro trend reports, renowned Trend Briefing events and Futures Forums. As well as being quoted by The Guardian, The Times and Dazed, Holly also consults on projects for some of the world’s leading brands and presents insight-packed keynotes at industry events around the world.

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  Joachim Froment

  Designer / Creative Director, Futurewave

  2026 Sports & Outdoors Jury Captain

  Joachim Froment is an award-winning Belgian designer based in Brussels and Copenhagen (IF award, Rado Star Award, Bolia award, CES innovation award). He graduated with a Master's degree from the Royal College of Art in London.
  
  Founder and Creative Director of Futurewave, he leads a team of 25 creatives and technologists to help companies bring forward-thinking products to the market (Bespoke Flos, Engelbrechts, Adidas, Duvel, 100% light, Decathlon, Cohabs, etc.).
  
  Joachim Froment is a product designer and artist whose creations aim to ally poetry and industry.

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  Norio Fujikawa

  Executive Creative Director, PA Consulting

  2024 Gaming Accessories Jury Member, 2017 Transportation & Mobility Jury Member

  Executive Creative Director by day and professional illustrator by night, Norio brings 30 years of design experience to every program he directs at PA Consulting (formerly Astro Studios). Since studying at the Institute of Design, IIT in Chicago, he has collaborated with diverse clients such as Microsoft, Nike, HP, Disney, Samsung, Nissan and Sony, among many others. His passion for emerging technologies has him constantly looking towards the future while his keen awareness of user needs and experiences keeps him focused on the present.

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  Nicholas Fulcher

  Art Director & Designer, Atlantic Records

  2023 Visual Communication Jury Member

  NickyChulo (Nicholas Fulcher) is an Art Director & Designer from Northern Virginia who currently resides in Los Angeles, California. Learning how to draw at an early age, Nicholas was drawn to graffiti, comic books, and video games. He continued to harness his combined love of art & design and attended numerous design classes in high school. Teachers quickly began to take notice and started to encourage his growth which helped cultivate his passion for visual communication. In 2010, Nicholas began freelancing in Washington D.C. and his primary focus was album art and apparel design. From 2013-2014 he attended Savannah College of Art & Design (Atlanta) studying towards his BFA in Graphic Design. After studying a few years, honing his craft, Nicholas made the move to New York City where he actualized his passion by becoming an Art Director at Atlantic records. He has carefully navigated his way through the industry and has grown into one of the most sought out visual artists.

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  Ben Gaffney

  VP of International Design Development, L. Ercolani

  2020 Furniture & Lighting Jury Captain

  Ben Gaffney is the Vice President of International Design Development for L. Ercolani, the 100-year-old U.K. design brand, and Founder of AileenJames, Retail and Design Partners. Ben is an industry veteran who has collaborated with Norm Architects, Design Within Reach, Menu A/S, HNI Group, and Atlason studio to bring innovative design solutions to a global market. Prior to his work with L. Ercolani and AileenJames, he was the Head of Product Development for Design Within Reach.