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︎ Let’s meet online or in person in Brooklyn, in Eindhoven, or anywhere else. 
︎ All photography by Francis Dzikowski/OTTO except when noted with *

︎︎︎ In 2004 François started UM Project, a furniture design studio with a special interest in connecting Users and Makers in Brooklyn, NY. Over the years the work increasingly integrated technology, yielding projects, experiments and unusual goods that bridged function and fiction. In 2018, François moved to Eindhoven in the Netherlands to reinvent his practice of design and making. He now splits his time between Brooklyn and Eindhoven.

︎︎︎ François started his design career with renowned glass designer Guillaume Saalburg in Paris, then worked for identity design consultancies including Zürich-based Zintzmeyer & Lux and Interbrand in New York, and was managing director at audio branding company Elias Arts in New York and Los Angeles.

︎︎︎ François earned a master’s degree with honors in Contextual Design at the Design Academy Eindhoven. François also studied furniture design at the Rhode Island School of Design, USA, and apprenticed for studio furniture master Hank Gilpin in Rhode Island. Previously François earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the Business School of Marseille, France.

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︎︎︎ Press and publications

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Interior Design Magazine, June 2018, full page on Patch collection and concept
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Elle Decor Italia, June 2018, full page on Patch collection and concept
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The New Stand featured in Shoplifter! book by gestalten, Spring 2018
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Art Tribune, May 2018, cover and story on Patch collection and concept
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FRAME, May 2018, full page on Patch collection and concept
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A/D/0 Journal, April 2018, “Redefining Design Semiotics” article on UM Project
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99U magazine, Winter/Spring 2018, eight-spread and back cover profile


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Le Liège book by Éditions, Fall 2018, Alternatives features UMO cork settee
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99U magazine, Summer/Fall 2017, feature on Mobilum 
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WIRED Italy, October 2017, Odd Harmonics theremins feature
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The New York Times, June 2017, Holy Stool feature
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FRAME, Sept-Oct 2017, feature on Conduct electric wallpaper
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form, June 2017, story on Conduct electric wallpaper
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Hyperallergic, May 2017, Conduct electric wallpaper at Collective Design Fair selected as one of the best of show
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Sight Unseen, May 2017, Conduct electric wallpaper at Collective Design Fair selected as one of the best of show
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TL Magazine, May 2017, feature on Ultraframe collection
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Elle Décoration France, June 2017, L.U.M. Lamp feature
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Fast Company’s CoDesign, May 2017, story on Conduct electric wallpaper
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TL Magazine, May 2017, feature on Conduct electric wallpaper
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Surface, May 2017, feature on Ultraframe collection
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Dezeen, May 2017, story on Ultraframe collection
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Design Milk, May 2017, story on Ultraframe collection
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Dezeen, May 2017, story on Conduct electric collection
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Design Milk, January 2017, story on The New Stand
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FRAME, December 2016, story on The New Stand
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Wallpaper, May 2016, (Work)shop mallets featured on the cover
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Interior Design Magazine, 2015, 3-page feature focusing on non-furniture work and special projects ("instruments, tools and machines")
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Elle Décoration France, 2015, extensive report on Brooklyn-based designers includes a full-page on UM Project
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Metropolis Magazine, 2015, in-depth third annual maker issue features the 10 best new American makers including UM Project
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AIGA Eye on Design, 2015, story on the Printshop at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City
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Core77, 2015, story on The Printshop at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City
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Fast Company’s CoDesign, 2015, story on The Printshop at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City
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Fast Company’s CoDesign, 2015, story on the Listening Table designed by UM Project for The New York Times Lab
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Make Magazine, 2015, story on the Listening Table designed by UM Project for The New York Times Lab
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Dezeen, 2015, story on the exclusive Mallets for the THE SHOP at the Smithsonian Cooper Hewitt Design Museum in New York City
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Beaux Arts Magazine, 2014, Craft System selected as one the magazine’s favorite design projects
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Sight Unseen, 2014, the (Work)shop mallets designed for the THE SHOP at the Smithsonian Cooper Hewitt Design Museum in New York City selected as best-of-show
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Architectural Digest Germany, 2014, story on Odd Harmonics, the collection of unique theremins
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Maison Côté Ouest, 2014, feature of 6BCA tent
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Elle Décoration France, 2014, feature on the special series of Craft System lamps designed for the Ensemble exhibition at the Gallery S. Bensimon in Paris
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Les Échos, 2014, special report on in-house manufacturing by French leading business newspaper includes UM Project
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This is Paper, 2014, story on Odd Harmonics, the collection of unique theremins
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Modern Farmer, 2014, Holy Stool feature
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Popular Noise Magazine, 2014, in-depth story on Odd Harmonics, the collection of unique theremins
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Interior Design Magazine, August 2014,full page on the Maypole project for Reclaim NYC
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Maison Côté Ouest, August 2014, DLX Trunk feature
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Intramuros, July 2014, extensive report on New York City design includes interview of and projects by UM Project
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American Craft, June 2014, thorough investigation of current American furniture, 15 leading innovators are carefully selected and featured, including UM Project
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Azure Magazine, June 2014, feature article on four significant New York City Designers including Francois Chambard (UM Project), Bec Britain, Anna Karlin, and Fort Standard
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New York Post, May 2014, feature of Odd Harmonics, the collection of unique theremins
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Interior Design Magazine, June 2014, Three-spread article on Happy Bones, a coffee shop designed collaboratively by Ghislaine Vinas Interior Design and UM Project
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Domus, June 2014, story on 100% ToBeUs stop in New York City featuring work by François Chambard, as well as 9 other US designers
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WU Magazine, April 2014, special design issue includes a story on robotic design, featuring one of UM Project's Craft System lamps
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Hyperallergic, October 2013, enthusiastic review of the Odd Harmonics collection of Theremins
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Wired, October 2013, story on the Odd Harmonics theremin collection
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The New York Times, October 2013, print story and online video on the Odd Harmonics theremin collection
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Cool Hunting, October 2013, story on the Odd Harmonics theremin collection
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Fast Company’s CoDesign, October 2013, report on Odd Harmonics show at the Judith Charles Gallery in NYC
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WeHeart October 2013, report on Odd Harmonics show at the Judith Charles Gallery in NYC
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Core77, October 2013, full report on Odd Harmonics show at the Judith Charles Gallery in NYC
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Mocoloco, October 2013, feature on Odd Harmonics show at the Judith Charles Gallery in NYC
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TL Magazine, October 2013, Extensive report on NYC design includes UM Project’s 6BCA and other UM Project works
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GQ Magazine Portugal, September 2013, Cork U.M.O. featured in GQ Portugal, the country where all cork comes from
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Elle Decoration Mexico, Fall 2013, Feature of the BUM chair by BAGGU & UM Project for Reclaim NYC
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Intramuros, September 2013, Full spread on Off the Grid exhibition at Gallery R’Pure as an opening to detailed report on New York Design Week 2013
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Core77, September 2013, full story on custom keyboard stand designed for Mikael Jorgensen of Wilco
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Elle Decor China, August 2013, Off the Grid exhibition at Gallery R’Pure is part highlights of New York Design Week 2013
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Refinery29, June 2013, UM Project included in short list on American furniture designers
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Design Milk, May 2013, full photo report on Off the Grid exhibition at Gallery R’Pure during New York Design 2013
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Mocoloco, May 2013, reports on Off the Grid exhibition at Gallery R’Pure during New York Design 2013
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Cool Hunting, May 2013, story on Off the Grid exhibition at Gallery R’Pure by writer Perrin Drumm
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Bloomberg Business Week, May 2013, Feature on AT-UM Table for Lenovo’s horizon Tablet PC.
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Vogue Japan, September 2013, Milking Stool feature
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Interior Design Magazine, September 2013, full page on Off the Grid exhibition at Gallery R’Pure
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BOB Magazine, August 2013, eight-page feature in beautiful Korean interior design magazine
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Ashti Magazine, 2013
Feature on Craft System
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PSFK, June 2013, AT-UM Table for Lenovo’s horizon Tablet PC is part of the technology product picks for New York Design Week 2013
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Apartment Therapy, June 2013
An unsual story by the blog reporting on AT-UM Table for Lenovo’s horizon Tablet PC
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Dwell Magazine, June 2013, feature on Off the Grid exhibition at Gallery R’Pure
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Financial Times, June 2013
An in-depth report on technology products at home by writer Jennifer Krichels features AT-UM table for Lenovo’s Horizon tablet PC
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Sight Unseen, May 2013, Off the Grid exhibition at Gallery R’Pure is part highlights of New York Design Week
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The New York Times, May 2013, Off the Grid exhibition at Gallery R’Pure is part of the highlights of New York Design Week 2013
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Swiss Miss, May 2013, Feature of the BUM chair by BAGGU & UM Project for Reclaim NYC
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Casa da Abitare, May 2013, writer Shonquis Moreno reports on cutting-edge Brooklyn-based designers including UM Project
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Make Magazine, Spring 2013, The Motherbrain console featured on full spread
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Boing Boing, April 2013, a short and fun feature on Interface’s Superpack Carpet Critters
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Gizmodo, February 2013, The Motherbrain console is number one on a shortlist of legendary studio references including the one for Kraftwerk!
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Interior Design, January 2013, the Après Collection for Reclaim NYC is featured in Interior Design Magazine along with Kiel Mead’s drift wood hooks
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Fast Company’s CoDesign, January 2012, story on the Après Collection for Reclaim NYC
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Real Simple, January 2013, full-page feature of Milking Stools
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Elle Decoration China, January 2013, witty story on Transformers furniture including U.M.O2
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FRAME Magazine, December 2012
story on the Après Collection for Reclaim NYC
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Mocoloco, December 2012, story on the Après Collection for Reclaim NYC
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WeHeart, December 2012, story on the Après Collection for Reclaim NYC
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Inhabitat, December 2012, story and slideshow on the Après Collection for Reclaim NYC
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Take Part, December 2012, story and slideshow on the Après Collection for Reclaim NYC
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Stilsucht, December 2012, story on the Après Collection for Reclaim NYC and on the NGL table
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Interior Design Magazine, November 2012, cover story on Ghislaine Viñas’ award winning project including many mentions of UM Project’s work
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Sonic Scoop, 2012, four episodes featuring the full and detailed story of the analog-digital console for The Motherbrain
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Core77, November 2012, story on the analog-digital console for The Motherbrain
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Journal du Design, November 2012
story on the analog-digital console for The Motherbrain
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FRAME Web, November 2012, Story on the analog-digital console for The Motherbrain
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WeHeart, November 2012, story on the analog-digital console for The Motherbrain
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Apartment Therapy, November 2012, studio visit 
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Intramuros, October 2012, report on New York Design 2012 includes UM Project
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Ateliers d'Art, October 2012, L.U.M. Lamp in Editor’s Favorite Picks
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Marie Claire Maison, September 2012 L.U.M. Lamp feature
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Mocoloco, September 2012, story on Superpack carpet creatures for Interface
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New York Spaces, September 2012, story on Superpack carpet creatures for Interface
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Azure, September 2012, Craft System™ featured in “Made in America” story
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Interior Design Magazine, August 2012, two-page spread on Craft System™
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IB Magazine, August 2012, two-page spread in premier Hong Kong magazine
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Details Magazine, August 2012 FWD credenza feature
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Wired May, 2012, Craft System™ featured in Wired design section
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Core77, June 2012, the full story on Craft System™
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Design Applause, May 2012, a story on Craft System™ by Perrin Drumm
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Design Milk, May 2012, Design Milk loves Craft System™!
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Wallpaper Magazine, May 2012, Craft System™ is editor’s pick for New York 2012 Design Week
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PSFK, May 2012, Craft System™ feature
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Core77, April 2012, Core77 visits UM Project
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Elle Décoration France, April 2012, L.U.M. Lamp feature 
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Elle Magazine, March 2012, L.U.M. Lamp feature in Elle French fashion issue
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AMC Le Moniteur Magazine, February 2012, L.U.M. Lamp feature
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Maison Française, February 2012 L.U.M. Lamp feature
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Metropolis Magazine, December 2011 L.U.M. Lamp featured in special lighting issue
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Interior Design, December 2011, full page feature
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Fast Company’s CoDesign, November 2011, Kin Coda/ Fritz Hansen story
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Dwell Magazine, October 2011, L.U.M. Lamp featured in New York Design Week report
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Frame Magazine, September/October 2011, L.U.M. Lamp feature
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Stilsucht, August/September 2011, Milking Stool, FWD Credenza and Big White features
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Nice Magazine, ,Issue 4: Colour, August 2011, UM Project eight-page feature 
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Design Milk, June 2011, ICFF 2011 Review
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PSFK, May 2011, ICFF 2011 review
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Dwell Magazine, May 2011, ICFF 2011 Review
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Mocoloco, May 2011, L.U.M. Lamp feature
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Country Living Magazine, March 2011 Milking Stool ranked #3 in Country Chic cool list
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Tape Op, March 2011, full story of the Analog Recording Console including cover feature!
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Core77, February 2011, Analog Recording Console feature
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Sonic Scoop, February 2011, story of the Analog Recording Console
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Interior Design Magazine, October 2010, U.M.O. full-page feature and cover feature of the Big White table
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Manhattan Magazine, September/ October 2010, Three-Ring bench feature
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Interior Design, November 2010 UM Project full-page feature
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Wallpaper Magazine, May 2010, ICFF 2010 Editor’s pick
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Inhabitat, May 2010, UM Project’s U.M.O. wins award for most engaging product
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Surface Magazine, February 2010 Milking Stool feature
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The Globe and Mail, January 2010 UM Project selected as trend to watch
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Los Angeles Times, May 2009 UM Project as best-of-show for ICFF 2009
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Miami Home, October 2009, DTL Table feature
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Core77, May 2009, about UM Project and the Lights Dots fixture
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Design Milk, May 2009, Carbon Fiber + Wood Table feature
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Interview Magazine, 2009, Duo Lamp feature
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Monocle, June 2008, The Station feature

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︎︎︎ Events, awards and exhibitions
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Angels, Cooler Gallery, Brooklyn, January 18 - March 18, 2022


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Unblock, Neurodiversity x Design workshop, Residency for the People, Eindhoven, NL, June 2021


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Moving in Stasis, Design Academy Eindhoven master graduates exhibition at Het Nieuwe Instituut, Rotterdam, Netherlands, April 2021
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Neuhaus exhibition and symposium with Design Academy Eindhoven’s Unknown Collective, Het Nieuwe Instituut, Rotterdam, Netherlands, May 2019


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Musée Opinel, Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, Savoie, France, Summer 2018, retrospective exhibition includes OPNL one-off-a-kind large Opinel Nº13
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Ventura Future, Milan, Italy, Salone de Mobile, April 2018, Patch concept and exhibition
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FuturDome Prize, Milan, Italy, Salone de Mobile, April 2018, Patch finalist in the “Emotional Synthesis” category


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A/D/O, Brooklyn, NY, January-April 2018, exhibition of Ultraframe collection and other selected furniture
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99U Conference, New York NY, USA, June 2017, launch of exclusive traveling bookstore and library


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FastCompany Innovation by Design Award finalist, “Spaces, places and cities” category, September 2017, for Conduct in collaboration with Flavor Paper
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Best of NYCxDesign Award, technology category, May 2017, for Conduct in collaboration with Flavor Paper


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Collective Design, New York NY, USA, May 2017, Conduct duo show (UM Project and Flavor Paper)
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Colony, Solo Show at XOCO space, New York NY, USA, May 2017, Ultraframe solo show
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Wanted Design, Brooklyn, NY, USA, May 2017, Opinel x Arts by Friends group show presenting an one-off-a-kind large Opinel Nº13 and an exclusive series of Opinel Nº8
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FastCompany Innovation by Design Award finalist, “Branded environments” category, September 2017, for The New Stand


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Interior Design Magazine’s Best of Year (BOY) finalist for The New Stand, retail category, December 2016
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Museum of Arts and Design, New York NY, USA, June 2016, Eye for Design Exhibition presenting The Printshop
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Gallery S. Bensimon, Paris, France, October 2015, Ensemble group show presenting an exclusive series of Craft System lamps and Holy Stools


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Mass Moca Solid Sound Festival, North Adams, MA, USA, July 2015, Wilco 20th Anniversary Exhibition presenting the UMJ-1 keyboard stand as part of an exclusive collection of Wilco memorabilia
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Museum of Arts and Design, New York NY, USA, March 2015, The Printshop solo workshop and exhibition


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Cooper Hewitt Design Museum, New York, NY, USA, December 2014, re-opening group show, presenting an exclusive series of (Work)shop mallets
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Museum of Arts and Design, New York, NY, USA, July 2014, The MAD Biennal featuring Odd Harmonics theremins
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100% TObeUS, 100 designers for 100 new toy cars: Milan & Brooklyn, NY, May 2014, traveling exhibition group show 


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Colony, New York NY, USA, May 2014, Maypole for Carte Blanche trio show (UM Project & The Principals & Fort Makers)
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Gallery R’Pure, New York NY, USA, May 2014, Orange Feast group show
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Moogfest, Asheville, NC, April 2014, exhibition of Odd Harmonics theremin collection and performance with Dorit Chrylser


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Judith Charles Gallery, New York NY, USA, October 2013, Odd Harmonics exhibition in collaboration with Butterscotch Records and with the support of Moog Music 
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Mass Moca Solid Sound Festival, North Adams, MA, USA, June 2013, launch of UMJ-1 Keyboard Stand for Wilco


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PSFK, New York NY, USA, 2013, Future of Home Living group show presenting of the AT-UM table for Lenovo
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Reclaim NYC, New York NY, USA, May 2013, group show featuring a exclusive collaboration between Baggu and UM Project during NYCxDesign


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ICFF, New York NY, USA, May 2013, Lenovo + UM Project concept piece for the launch of the Horizon tablet PC
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Gallery R’Pure, New York NY, USA, May 2013, Off the Grid duo show (François Chambard of UM Project + Frederick McSwain)


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MoMA Design Store, New York NY, USA, May 2013, Destination group show for NYCxDesign presenting an exclusive series of Milking Stools
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Cappellini, New York, NY, USA, January 2013, Pictoplasma group show presenting a selection of Craft System pieces
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Reclaim NYC at Ligne Roset, New York NY, USA, December 2012, benefit auction presenting the exclusive Après collection


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DIFFA Benefit, New York, NY, September 2012, benefit auction featuring the exclusive Interface Superpack collection
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Wanted Design, New York NY, USA, May 2012, Craft System launch


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ICFF, New York, NY, USA, May 2012, tradeshow
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Maison & Objet, Paris, France, January 2012, Elements group show curated by François Bernard, presenting the L.U.M. Lamp
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Galerie Triode, Paris, France, January 2012, American Design group show presenting the L.U.M. Lamp


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Republic of Fritz Hansen, New York NY, USA, December 2011, Kin Coda group show presenting the exclusive UMBOX curiosity cabinet
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ICFF, New York, NY, USA, May 2011, tradeshow


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Inhabitat, May 2010, UM Project’s U.M.O. wins award for most engaging product
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ICFF, New York, NY, USA, May 2010, tradeshow
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Brooklyn Design, Brooklyn, NY, USA, May 2010, USA, tradeshow


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ICFF, New York, NY, USA, May 2009, tradeshow
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Brooklyn Design, Brooklyn, NY, USA, May 2009, USA, tradeshow
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Brooklyn Design, Brooklyn, NY, USA, May 2008, USA, tradeshow
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