Designers of the Year: Introducing Our Maker Judges

Jonathan Adler returns, along with an internationally renowned potter and a world-travelling duo known for their keen sense of aesthetics.

Designers of the Year returns again, and our call for entries is officially open. Our Maker category celebrates those designers who craft handmade items that don’t easily fit into our Furniture or Fashion categories, and aren’t mass-produced, as in our Industrial category. It’s a little newer than the rest of our awards programs, and gives space to Makers like ceramicists and textile producers to have their work celebrated in the magazine.So without further ado, here are the top judges who will be crowning this year’s winner in the Maker category!

Jonathan Adler

Jonathan Adler’s mission: to bring Modern American Glamour to your life. How? By creating a foundation of timelessly chic furniture and accessorizing with abandon.It all started with pottery. Jonathan first gave the wheel a spin at summer camp when he was 12 years old. He was obsessed with clay the moment he touched it. Unfortunately, his passion wasn’t always encouraged. After his college professor told him, “You have no talent. Move to New York and become a lawyer,” he attempted to comply, moving to the city and working in the entertainment biz. Three years later he quit and went back to the wheel.In 1993, Barneys bought his collection of pots, and in 1998, he opened his first store. Today his offerings span furniture, lighting, décor, and more, iconic interior design projects, and retail locations worldwide, all rooted in his commitment to outstanding design, impeccable materials, and unparalleled craftsmanship.

Janaki Larsen

Janaki Larsen loves dirt.Born into a family of artists, Janaki has been making ceramics in Vancouver for nearly 20 years. Aside from her main role as a potter she is also the co-founder of Le Marché St.George and has curated many Pop Ups supporting both local and international artists and crafts people . For Janaki, the line between working, living and creating are completely blurred, if not non-existent.

Robert Quinnell and David Keeler

Robert Quinnell and David Keeler (partners in life and business) founded Provide in the fall of 2007 out of a shared passion for travel. Soon into their relationship, the duo had visited great cities around the world such as New York, London, Paris and Sydney and were so inspired by design destinations in those locales, they decided to establish Provide—a place where they could curate their own collection of goods, that would fuel their love for design and allow them to travel the globe searching for new finds along the way.

Robert originally hails from Toronto but has called Vancouver home for many years. With a long career in fashion sales and management, Robert has a strong entrepreneurial sprit and a love for working with people. For Robert, the sweet spot is bringing together independent makers of quality goods with with people who are seeking authenticity in their home furnishings.

David is Alberta born, but always had a desire to move beyond his familiar ground. He has lived in Montreal, New York (where he attended Parsons School of Design) and San Francisco and these experiences have greatly enriched his education in the world of design. With a background in advertising and design, his refined aesthetic and attention to detail is in continually at use at Provide.

Enter Designers of the Year by April 1, 2019! Questions? Check out our FAQs.