IFDA 2024 calls for designs that celebrate the craftsmanship of woodworking -

It is held every three years (see 2020 edition), the renowned International Furniture Design Asahikawa (IFDA) competition celebrates the ingenuity of woodworking. The platform promotes the love of ancient materials, not only their traditions but also their innovations. IFDA 2024 calls for such novelties as it celebrates its 12th edition, rewarding winners and finalists with cash prizes, production opportunities and networking events.

Submit your wooden furniture design by December 20, 2023 – here.

2021 Gold Leaf Award: Ken Watanabe’s Cabin
All images courtesy of Asahikawa International Furniture Design Contest

Founded in 1990, Evda Enhances the skills of the home of furniture in Japan, Asihikawa. The carpentry industry flourished there as one of the leading centers in the manufacture of wooden furniture pieces. In fact, the city joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for Design in 2019. It is one of only three Design Cities in Japan and one of only 40 in the world.

2017 Bronze Leaf Award: CJ2 Legless Chair by Kenta Hirai

Each edition brings together expertise and design techniques from industry around the world, making it a must-visit hub for professional and aspiring designers to build relationships and exchange knowledge. With an impressive total of 9,433 entries from 77 countries and regions to date, more than 50 contest entries have been produced as Asahikawa furniture products since then. The 2024 edition seeks to inspire more talented designs on their way to implementation.

2014 Gold Leaf Award: ST Chair by Naoki Mukayama

IFDA 2024 marks a new era for the competition, building on Asahikawa’s 33 years of experience as a platform and more than a century as an industry. The new edition announces a list of new opportunities for its participants. For the first time, finalists have the opportunity to present their creations before the final round of judging and the results are announced at the awards ceremony. This not only elevates the sense of occasion, but also provides valuable moments of connection.

2011 Gold Leaf Award: Half Chair by Woojin Chung

For the prestigious competition, the 2024 jury includes equally famous names in the creative field: Sou Fujimoto, architect and chief judge; Masaaki Hiromura, graphic designer; Anne-Louise Sommer, Museum Director, and Assistant Professor at the Design Museum of Denmark; Tucker Wiemeister, industrial designer; and Michael Young, industrial designer. An international jury will evaluate entries based on the theme of wooden furniture – in honor of the original contest mission. Designs from around the world are welcome, but must be recent and not previously published.

Golden Leaf Award 2008: Barcelona by Jakob Jørgensen

In addition to production opportunities and networking events, IFDA 2024 winners will also receive publicity while increasing the odds of having their furniture displayed. Winners will receive cash prizes to help advance their careers, ranging from 3,000,000 yen (about $20,300 USD) for the Gold Leaf award to 1,000,000 yen (about $6,700 USD) for the Silver Leaf award, and 300,000 yen (about $2,000 USD) for both awards. The two bronzes. And Maple Leaf Awards.

Feeling inspired to apply? Submit your designs to IFDA 2024 before December 20, 2024 – here!

2005 Silver Leaf Award: Kina Light by David Trowbridge