Future Forward winners Hamburg 2026
Every year, the BLICKFANG trend scouts discover exceptional labels and forward-thinking design ideas. Particularly promising newcomers receive a subsidized exhibition space through the D.E.S.I.G.N. Foundation as part of the Future Forward award—giving them the opportunity to present their visions to a large audience.
This year in Hamburg, two winning labels are enriching the scene: holzfabrikat and Studio Elisabeth Seidel.
holzfabrikat
holzfabrikat develops furniture and spatial solutions with a clear focus on functionality, precision, and durability. At the center is the TIGHT shelving system—a timeless system deliberately designed far beyond short-lived trends.
Production takes place in a shared workshop in Glottertal, complemented by metalwork from regional partners. Characteristic features include precise plug-in and tension joints that are not hidden but intentionally made visible. The result is a construction that is simultaneously stable, delicate, and honest in its design language.
The TIGHT solid model is made from solid wood sourced from the Black Forest. The other TIGHT models are produced using further-developed, through-colored MDF panels—a very high-quality and durable material with an excellent tactile feel. The wood fibers used come from FSC-certified pine wood, with a large portion of the material consisting of recycled waste from the wood industry.
Studio Elisabeth Seidel
With “Crystals, Baby!”, Cologne-based designer Elisabeth Seidel translates natural growth processes into luminous design objects. For this, acrylic bodies are submerged in salt solutions until a delicate crystal layer forms organically on the surface.
The light from an integrated LED is softly refracted by this structure—each object appears to exist somewhere between ice, glass, and a light sculpture. Since each crystal layer grows individually, every piece becomes a handcrafted unique object.
With her studio, founded in 2024, Elisabeth Seidel combines scientific research with a poetic design language—with the goal of creating objects that shape spaces atmospherically and create emotional connections.
Future Forward 2026 at a glance!
Once again, BLICKFANG demonstrates how young designers are shaping the future—with responsible concepts, innovative materials, and a clear focus on sustainable lifestyles. The winning labels show how versatile forward-looking design can be today—from precise solid wood craftsmanship to experimental material processes.
Want to experience the Future Forward winners live? Secure your ticket now and join us at BLICKFANG Hamburg!