2018 Carpet Design Awards reach final 24

[Hannover] The finalists in the 2018 Carpet Design Awards have been selected. 24 designer carpets have made it to the final round of the international competition for outstanding carpet design. A jury made up of experts from the design professions and the carpet industry has selected three exclusive carpets in each of eight categories, out of a total of 265 entries from 16 countries. The winners in each category will be announced at Domotex on January 13 2018 with the prize award ceremony taking place in Hall 9. 
 
The keynote theme for Domotex 2018 is Unique Youniverse, which was chosen in response to the growing need to offer the customer personalized products and services. The Carpet Design Awards have also added two new categories this year: “Best Interior” (furnishing project or carpet installation that prioritizes personalization) and “Best Communication” (successful marketing or branding campaign). 
 
“Rugs that move me are difficult to describe with words. While I have a deep appreciation for individual formal elements like material, weave, pattern, color and texture, I am most captivated by a rug when those elements come together in such a way that something greater than the sum of its parts is expressed. I often refer to this as ‘the soul of a rug’. It’s not a technical thing, but much more about how the rug communicates on an experiential level. The process of jurying the Carpet Design Awards was an enjoyable and exciting experience as it gave me the opportunity to get a handle on the pulse of the rug industry today”, said Michael Mandapati, jury chairman, as well as founder and president of Warp & Werft, New York. 

In the course of the selection process, entries were assessed on design and design concept, materials, execution, texture and quality, as well as sustainability and brand building. You can find an overview as well as illustrations of the carpets nominated by the jury here.
 
All 24 carpets going into the final round will be on display throughout Domotex, at the new “Framing Trends” showcase in Hall 9, where interior furnishing trends will be featured with creative flair under the tagline Unique Youniverse. According to the company, visitors to the trade show are invited to choose their personal favorites, and a special trophy for the most popular carpet will be awarded at the end of Domotex.
 
Presented in association with the trade journals HALI and COVER, the Carpet Design Awards are now in their thirteenth year.