“Imagine a world with no original design. Where everything would be a copy and nothing would be new. This notion seems like a dire warning from ‘Atlas Shrugged,’ but is not an unrealistic prophecy in an environment where creativity and originality is not encouraged or protected.” http://www.bernhardtdesign.com/discover/be_original.html
On January 12, 2017, if you were not having breakfast at Bernhardt Design on New York’s Madison Avenue, you were not at the design event of the week.
Dozens of designers, journalists and others industry leaders spent the early hours of Thursday morning munching on gourmet pastries, sipping high-octane coffee and strolling through the dynamic Bernhardt showroom – looking at furniture and fabrics that should be part of every hotel and corporate meeting/board room and would definitely take the boring out of office cubes.
Berhardt Design, started in 1980 by the 127-year-old Bernhardt Furniture Company, has for the past 15 years, been directed by President and Creative Director Jerry Helling. He has been a leader in educational and cultural programs developed to enrich the design community.
The company sponsors an interdisciplinary course with the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena that challenges students to create world-class designs for mass production. The organization also supports the ICFF Studio, a scholarship program that offers emerging design talent exposure to manufacturers, retailers and media. In a collaborative partnership with creative consultancy Aruliden and The School at Columbia University, Bernhardt Design initiates the Tools at Schools project introducing design into the 8th grade curriculum.
The company also supports young designers through sponsorship of The Carrot Concept, a cooperative that advances the design profession in El Salvador, and America Made Me, a program to promote new brands and young American design talent abroad.
WantedDesign Returns to New York
On January 12, 2017, the showroom was the venue for introducing the May 2017 Wanted Design program, developed by Odile Hainaut and Claire Pijoulat.
WantedDesign presents a full week of design-centric events, workshops, conversations and retail activities that highlight contemporary domestic and international designers. Programs are held at the Terminal Stores building in Chelsea/Manhattan and Industry City, Brooklyn. The events attract architects, manufacturers, interior designers, buyers, curators, editors, trendsetters, design students, entrepreneurs, reporters and everyone with a design interest.
Since 2015, WantedDesign co-founders and Jerry Helling, President of Bernhardt Design, recognize a young American designer with the American Design Honor that recognizes excellence in creative design and superior entrepreneurship. For 2017, Studio Gorm (started in 2007), led by John and Wonhee Arndt, are the award recipients.
For additional information on WantedDesign, email, or visit wanteddesignnyc.com. For Bernhardt Design details: bernhardtdesign.com
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