<h5><br /></h5> <p>With an estimated 25,000+ visitors, this year's exhibition set in the creative heart of East London hosted a range of makers specialising in interiors, print, architecture and everyday design. The four-day industry event brought together 450 exhibitors from 29 countries, including; independent designers, established brands, international country pavilions and galleries.</p> <p>We round-up some of our favourite exhibition stalls at this year’s fair, highlighting emerging independent makers and innovative collective crafters...</p>

<p><a href="http://www.therolfehousehold.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>House of Rolfe</strong></a></p> <p>Influenced by Central Asia, Uzbekistan and the environment of the region that once was part of the silk road, Imogen Rolfe has created a collection of textiles with a subtle botanical theme.</p> <p>Starting out as an illustrator, Imogen studied various plant life in a range of habitats, allowing the different environments to inform and shape her work.</p> <p>Sustainability is at the core of the House of Rolfe brand. The fabrics used have been sourced from around the world and printed in the UK to ensure the highest quality and lowest environmental impact.<br /></p>

<p><strong><a href="http://www.madebychoice.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nordic Happiness Hotel</a></strong></p> <p>Award-winning Finnish design house, Made by Choice, launched the Nordic Happiness Hotel at this year’s design fair, introducing its holistic concept for hospitality design.</p> <p>Nordic citizens have been announced as the happiest on earth according to a recent study by the UN, in celebration of enhancing quality of life and wellbeing, this exhibition features a range of items designed for effortless living. From an award-winning chef forager and food writer presenting a menu of wild forest foods for consumption, to the happiness vending machine stocking luxury items to purchase.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.beforebreakfast.london/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Before Breakfast</a></strong></p> <p>Functional yet contemporary handcrafted products that make simple everyday tasks a little more fun - that’s the aim of design and riso print studio Before Breakfast.</p> <p>With all paper goods handmade in-house and printed using soy-based inks, this eco-friendly studio produces everyday objects from pens, textiles and journals with personality.</p>

<p><strong><a href="http://www.louisemadzia.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Louise Madzia</a></strong></p> <p>An independent designer and maker specialising in ceramics, Louise Madzia creates her unique and quirky collections in Amersham and Stoke-on-Trent.</p> <p>Frequently featuring hand-drawn illustrations of fluid figures, her mugs, pots and plates are simple but eye-catching.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://aseptic-studio.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aseptic Studio</a></strong></p> <p>Working long hours hunched over your drawing desk or slouched in front of a computer? Then Aseptic Studio have just the thing. Helmed by two brothers, they work with a soft sculpture finish for the ergonomic and wonderfully comfortable.</p> <p>The Mannequin is the ultimate tool in your search for comfort. Sure, it looks a little odd at first, and the long reaching arms can seem a little uncanny valley - but those arms called out to all the weary design fair visitors who found their embrace exceptionally comforting.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.corriewilliamson.co.uk/shop" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Corrie Williamson</a></strong></p> <p>Elegant geometric shapes from jewellery designer and maker Corrie Williamson caught our eye as her stand showcased earrings, rings and matching ceiling mobiles in delicate natural hues.</p> <p>Describing her mobiles as ‘jewellery for the home’, Corrie has embraced the trend for minimal sculptural design with her peacefully drifting pieces of art.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.swedishninja.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swedish Design Pavilion</a></strong></p> <p>The Swedish Design Pavilion is the annual showcase for Swedish designers, studios and companies at the London Design Fair. This year, 13 forward-looking, young and dynamic designers from across Sweden showcased a range of bold and innovative designs.<br /><br />Swedish Ninja, a Malmo based studio founded by Maria Gustavsson, produces a colourful range of lighting and furniture. Such as ‘Notebook’, a cabinet with the personality of a notebook.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://envisions.nl/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Envisions</a></strong></p> <p>Shaking up industry’s standards for the past two years with their dazzling displays of experimental design research the Dutch creative collective Envisions has validated the importance of a design’s preliminary phases.</p> <p>Partnering with <a href="https://www.finsa.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Finsa</a>, also a sponsor of our stand this year, the artists involved provided a colourful and eclectic space to walk, wander and wait, without displaying one finished product.</p> <p>Interested in finding out more about Envisions? <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/gallery-shorts-envisions-the-envisionaires" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Take a look at their recent exhibition in The Gallery at Plymouth College of Art.</a></p>

<p><strong><a href="http://www.olastudio.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ola Studio</a></strong></p> <p>Using their stand at London Design Fair to celebrate the origins and manufacturing journeys of the products they make, Ola Studio showcased a range of handprinted and delicately patterned modern stationery items.</p> <p>From the initial scribbles and sketches through to the printing process, and with a hefty letterpress machine on-site printing out business cards each morning, their exhibition highlighted their dedication to pattern, simplicity and traditional craft.<br /></p>

<ul><li><a href="https://www.londondesignfair.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Find out more about all the exhibitors at this year's London Design Fair on the official website</a></li><li><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/open-days" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Take a look at work from our students and graduates during an open day, register for your place on our website</a></li></ul>