Young Furniture Makers Award Winners Spotlight: Madaleine Richardson

We announced the winners of our Young Furniture Makers Awards and Prizes at the 2024 Young Furniture Makers exhibition.

Principally sponsored by Tizo Limited, the Young Furniture Makers exhibition took place on Wednesday 2 October 2024 at Furniture Makers’ Hall and the Dutch Church in Austin Friars, London.

As part of a series of articles on the Young Furniture winners, we interviewed Madaleine Richardson, winner of the School Design Prize, sponsored by KI, for the Nautical Bench.

What was your initial reaction when you found out you had won the Young Furniture Makers Award?

I was generally overwhelmed and excited when I found out that I had won. It was such an honour to be recognised among some very talented designers. My first thought was gratitude – for my teachers and peers who have supported me through this project. 

What does winning this award mean to you personally and professionally?

Personally, this gives me excitement for future designs that I could come up with. Professionally this has given me confidence to grow as a designer and is the start of an exciting adventure in my design career. It is also a milestone I will always be proud of. 

What do you think set your work apart from the other entries this year?

I like to focus most of my designs on being sustainable with the materials and making something out of something else that would have been thrown away. 

What was your experience like showcasing your work at the Young Furniture Makers exhibition?

It was a very interesting and incredible experience, as I got to talk to many different people from many different backgrounds in design.

How did it feel to have your work on display alongside so many talented designers?

I have only ever dreamed of this happening. It was an amazing experience to be among and to learn from so many designers. 

What kind of feedback did you receive from attendees and industry professionals at the exhibition?

The feedback was both encouraging and constructive. Many viewers appreciated the sustainable aspects of my design while industry professionals and higher grade students offered insights into how I could refine my craftsmanship and expand on the design. It was rewarding to see how people connected with my work. 

Did you have any memorable conversations or connections with other exhibitors or industry figures during the event?

I had many different memorable conversations with many interesting people. The ones that stuck out to me the most were with my fellow exhibitors learning about how they designed and made their pieces.

How do you think exhibitions like this contribute to the future of the furniture design industry?

Exhibitions like this serve as a vital platform for showing innovation and creativity from emerging designers and giving them a chance to be recognised by experienced professionals. It also provides exposure to fresh perspectives and experimental designs which can play a role in shaping different futures of the industry. 

Looking back, what advice would you give to future participants in the Young Furniture Makers exhibition?

My advice would be to embrace the experience fully and to talk to as many people as possible as you will get different feedback and new ideas as well as a chance to network. As from this exhibition you can learn and grow as well as form new connections and friendships. 

How do you plan to build on this achievement as you move forward in your career?

This achievement has given me confidence as a designer and I plan to use it as a foundation to expand my portfolio. I also want to continue to refine my skills particularly in woodworking and welding as well as sustainable design. 

What is the next milestone you hope to achieve in your design journey?

My next milestone I hope to achieve is to learn more about sustainable design and to become a better designer with both my vision and the future in industry needs.