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Collection by Patrick Sisson

Emerging Designers Dream Up Solutions for the 21st-Century Office

A design competition organized by Unbranded Design and Herman Miller solicits new concepts for today's changing office.

Chicago-based Unbranded Design offers up-and-coming designers a platform for community feedback and development opportunites. They recently one-upped themselves by partnering with Herman Miller for an open competition to develop new furniture concepts meant to improve the increasingly unanchored day of the average mobile worker. The competition has been whittled down to 15 finalists, drawn from more than 400 entries, with the winner receiving $10,000 and royalties from possible production by the iconic brand. The top designs are collected here; take a look, then vote for your favorite until November 3, 2014

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The Campground system by Mark Pylypczak, configurable in multiple layouts, includes these radial dividers made out of Corelam.
The Campground system by Mark Pylypczak, configurable in multiple layouts, includes these radial dividers made out of Corelam.
Brian Keyes's Canvas Office Landscape is an updated cubby system for mobile workers.
Brian Keyes's Canvas Office Landscape is an updated cubby system for mobile workers.
Zac Lindemann's Companion laptop case offers a fold-out stand and a back that traps and gathers items within a neoprene cover, making it simple to transport the jumbled contents of a desk anywhere.
Zac Lindemann's Companion laptop case offers a fold-out stand and a back that traps and gathers items within a neoprene cover, making it simple to transport the jumbled contents of a desk anywhere.
The informal Family Room system by Hines Fischer incorporates a variety of flexible touches, such as tables coated in dry-erase vinyl and cushions that can be removed for additional work surfaces, that accommodate quickly shifting work arrangements.
The informal Family Room system by Hines Fischer incorporates a variety of flexible touches, such as tables coated in dry-erase vinyl and cushions that can be removed for additional work surfaces, that accommodate quickly shifting work arrangements.
Sarah Kuchar's swiveling First Class chair offers a none-too-subtle signal and buffer when one desires a more private environment.
Sarah Kuchar's swiveling First Class chair offers a none-too-subtle signal and buffer when one desires a more private environment.
The Gustav tech toolbox by Christian Pistauer addresses the portability of a mobile worker within one office, increasingly common when creatives shuffle between meeting rooms and workspaces.
The Gustav tech toolbox by Christian Pistauer addresses the portability of a mobile worker within one office, increasingly common when creatives shuffle between meeting rooms and workspaces.
Joel Setzer's flexible Nomad is a stylish, flip-out desk with built-in storage space for on-the-go workers.
Joel Setzer's flexible Nomad is a stylish, flip-out desk with built-in storage space for on-the-go workers.
Trvgve Faste's high-tech solution to portability brings the clutter with you; the NoPack Case vacuum-seals the contents of your desk for instant portability.
Trvgve Faste's high-tech solution to portability brings the clutter with you; the NoPack Case vacuum-seals the contents of your desk for instant portability.
An app-based solution to shifting seats, Satellite by Spalvieri/Del Ciotto Studio allows workers to reserve workspaces and customize settings in a shared workspace.
An app-based solution to shifting seats, Satellite by Spalvieri/Del Ciotto Studio allows workers to reserve workspaces and customize settings in a shared workspace.
Sick of asking someone at the coffee shop to watch your laptop every time you need to step away? John Cochran's Scroll Top Lock Box security system addresses that common annoyance by safely locking your electronics.
Sick of asking someone at the coffee shop to watch your laptop every time you need to step away? John Cochran's Scroll Top Lock Box security system addresses that common annoyance by safely locking your electronics.
Shawn Littrell designed the flexbile Shade system to give office workers a chance to find some privacy during the day. It can also be configured to allow for group work.
Shawn Littrell designed the flexbile Shade system to give office workers a chance to find some privacy during the day. It can also be configured to allow for group work.
National Design Collective's Solomon retractable desk dividers can easily turn open workspaces into private ones.
National Design Collective's Solomon retractable desk dividers can easily turn open workspaces into private ones.
Beth Davis' Transia system is a transportable divider that can be carried between workspaces by a simple shoulder sling.
Beth Davis' Transia system is a transportable divider that can be carried between workspaces by a simple shoulder sling.
AKKA Architects' fold-out Yurt divider allows for an easily configurable space with varying degrees of privacy.
AKKA Architects' fold-out Yurt divider allows for an easily configurable space with varying degrees of privacy.