Emerging Designers Showcase

May 18 | 4:00pm
The Main Stage

Witness the future of design at the Emerging Designers Showcase, a vibrant stage presentation featuring groundbreaking projects from rising talents selected by the Launch Pad jury.

Imagine rapid-fire mini-critiques combined with professional speed networking. On stage, the top five contenders for the Best of Launch Pad Awards will present their work to a distinguished panel of Industry Pros, receiving insightful feedback under pressure. Simultaneously, the Launch Pad jury will assess their projects and on-stage presence, determining the winners of the Best of Launch Pad Awards.

Hosted by Amy Devers of Clever, this engaging and fast-paced event celebrates the creative journey and the crucial connections that propel careers, foster community, and establish new voices in the design world.

The stakes are high, the potential rewards are significant, and the energy is electric!

Meet the Pros.

Photo Credit: Jenna Bascom Photography

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Gabriele Chiave

Gabriele Chiave is a globally minded designer driven by a passion for creating meaningful connections between people and objects, spaces and experiences. Born in Metz (France) to diplomat parents, he grew up across cities like Caracas, Buenos Aires, Rome, Amsterdam, and New York before settling in Milan. Influenced by Italy’s legendary design heritage, he studied in Milan and later joined Marcel Wanders Studio in Amsterdam, where he became Creative Director. There, he blended functionality with emotional storytelling in projects across product, interior, and art direction. His portfolio includes collaborations with global brands such as Louis Vuitton, Poliform, Flos, Fendi Casa, Baccarat, Alessi, and many more. Gabriele also served as VP of Global Creative Direction at Estée Lauder Companies, shaping innovation for Tom Ford Beauty, MAC, La Mer, Balmain Beauty, and many others. Today, he leads Controvento, a multidisciplinary design collective dedicated to excellence, experimentation, cross-cultural collaboration across the fields of design, interiors, and art direction.
Chay Costello

Chay Costello directs Merchandising and Product Development at The Museum of Modern Art. With over 20 years at MoMA, she has held roles in product development and buying and championed notable projects including the limited edition suite for the 2017 exhibition "Items: Is Fashion Modern?" the 2019 “Good Design Lab” and the MoMA Design Store feature of “Design Innovations for Women” in 2020. Her primary focus areas include Good Design history, the history of retail at MoMA, Design for Women, Sustainability, and Technology in Design. She also leads an annual design challenge with SVA’s Products of Design.
Shant Madjarian

Shant Madjarian is the founder of Juniper, a contemporary lighting studio he launched in 2011 after a 13-year career in finance. Inspired by experience design and local manufacturing, he built Juniper into a globally collaborative brand known for innovative architectural lighting, now produced at its Southington, CT factory. Previously, Madjarian was a VP in Mergers & Acquisitions at Credit Suisse and began his career as an economist and equity analyst. A Montreal native, he holds a Master’s and Honors degree in Economics and Finance from McGill University and mentors at Yale’s School of Architecture.
Host: Amy Devers

Amy Devers is a designer, fabricator, media producer, and educator known for her work across television, podcasts, and design. With an MFA in Furniture Design from RISD and a rich background in custom fabrication and interiors, she has hosted several design-focused TV series and contributed to Emmy-winning programs. She is the Creator and Host of Clever, an award-winning podcast spotlighting the people shaping design and culture. Through her studio, Devers Endeavors, she produces storytelling-driven media like Clever Confidential and the Emerging Designers Showcase. Devers also teaches at RISD and is a frequent speaker, juror, and lecturer worldwide.

Emerging Designers Showcase

events

Gabriele Chiave

Chay Costello

Shant Madjarian

Host: Amy Devers