They exhibit at the world's largest furniture fair

The School of Engineering (JTH) at Jönköping University (JU) is the only Swedish school participating in the youth salon of the world's largest furniture fair, "Salone Internazionale del Mobile" in Milan, April 8-13.

"It is exciting to exhibit at such a big fair and we are grateful for this opportunity", says JTH student Rebecka Martin.

There are 18 second year students from JTH’s Product Development with Furniture Design programme (based at Träcentrum in Nässjö) who are exhibiting at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile. It is the world's largest furniture fair with 1,950 exhibitors from 35 countries and 370,000 visitors. The JTH students are participating in the fair’s youth salon "Salone Satellite" together with 20 design schools and 250 individual students/designers from around the world.

"Truly a milestone"

This is the first time that the JTH students are exhibiting at the fair, after having visited it for the past ten years.

"It really is a milestone for us. I've always thought that our students' furniture is high enough quality for this fair. We started working to be able to take part in the fair a few years ago and now we are here! It's a nice recognition and a fun experience for our students," says Victor Strand, programme manager.

Depicting the history of design

The students drew inspiration from 20th century European design styles such as French modernism and Swedish Grace for their furniture, which they both designed and built themselves. They also made their own stand at the fair.

"It went well! We collaborated with the other exhibitors and borrowed tools from each other," says Isa Fältman.

The first-year students and four teachers from the Product Development with Furniture Design programme are also in Milan, but only as visitors to the furniture fair. The whole group amounts to about 50 people and the trip was made possible thanks to sponsorship from the Öhrskog Foundation at Träcentrum.