Folk Reykjavík receives recognition for best investment in design at the Icelandic Design Awards 2022

The recognition for best investment in design 2022 goes to the Icelandic design company Fólk Reykjavík for their confidence in Icelandic design in a noteworthy and successful manner. Árni Sigurjónsson, chairman of the board for the SI - the Federation of Icelandic Industries gave the award to Ragna Sara Jónsdóttir, founder and creative director of Folk Reykjavík.

From the jury: 

Fólk Reykjavík was founded in 2017 with the aim to connect design and production with sustainability and circulating material. The company uses natural and recycled materials, such as stone, metal, glass, paper, certified wood from sustainably exploited forests, recycled steel, and recycled textiles. These materials have been used to produce tables, bookshelves, vases, candlesticks, and lamps, among other products.

Quality Icelandic design has been the guiding light for their business. The jury reckons that the company has succeeded in exhibiting what is possible in creating quality design and practical items with sustainability in mind. While production processes and marketing are usually the main obstacles for independent designers, Fólk Reykjavík has increased their product range through prosperous partnerships with Icelandic designers. The focus of their product development is to meet the requirements of sustainable development, and at the same time manufacturing durable products.

The jury concludes that the company's investment in design represents positive influence and an incentive for other businesses to acknowledge the possibilities involved with cooperation with skilled designers while being guided by sustainability and circulation of materials.

The company has exhibited its confidence in Icelandic design in a noteworthy and successful manner and therefore the recognition for best investment in design this year goes to Fólk Reykjavík.

The award ceremony took place for the 9th time on November 17th in Gróska, in the presence of a large crowd who celebrated outstanding design. Iceland's Design Award 2022 went to Plastplan and the year's Honorary Award winner is Reynir Vilhjálmsson, landscape architect.

The jury of the Icelandic Design Awards are Sigríður Sigurjónsdóttir, designer and director of the Museum of Design and Applied arts, chairman, María Kristín Jónsdóttir, designer, vice chairman, Ragna Fróðadóttir, designer, Þorleifur Gunnar Gíslason, designer, Arna Sigríður Mathiesen, architect, Margrét Kristín Sigurðardóttir for the Federation of Icelandic Industries and Daniel Byström, designer and Design Nation. 

The Icelandic Design Award honours the best Icelandic design and architecture annually. The importance of design in our society, culture and business has been growing steadily, and it is therefore vital to increase the understanding of good design and highlight the value of quality. 

Celebrating achievement and excellence, the Icelandic Design Award is given to a designer, a team, a studio or an architect in recognition of an outstanding new work, object, project or collection. The award is given to a recent project that demonstrates creative thinking, resourceful solutions, thorough presentation and professional methodology throughout the design process. Best investment in design recognises successful investment in design or architecture in the past year. It is awarded over to a company that has incorporated design in the core of its operations to create value and increase competitiveness. 

The Icelandic Design Award is established by Iceland Design and Architecture in collaboration with the Iceland University of the Arts, the Museum of Design and Applied Art, Promote Iceland, and SI - the Federation of Icelandic Industries.