Philia
Magazine

Christian Friedl is an Austrian designer and furniture maker based in Styria whose practice centers on sculptural furniture that balances craftsmanship, materiality, and artistic expression. Working primarily with natural materials, he creates collectible pieces distinguished by their refined forms, tactile qualities, and enduring character.

Guided by a deep respect for craftsmanship and sustainability, Friedl develops each work through a meticulous process of making and refinement. The result is a collection of singular objects that transcend functionality, embodying both material honesty and timeless design.

Heakyoung Jang is a South Korean designer and the founder of FICT STUDIO, an independent design practice established in 2016. Inspired by the phrase “From Craft to Industry,” the studio explores the flow and intersections between craft and industry, examining how traditional knowledge and contemporary production can coexist and inform one another.

Drawing on her background in industrial design, Jang investigates the cultural, emotional, and material dimensions of craft, viewing it as more than a set of techniques or processes. Through material experimentation and process-based research, her work reinterprets traditional values within a contemporary context, creating objects that explore the relationship between materiality, technology, memory, and time. Conceived as both a studio and an experimental platform, FICT STUDIO demonstrates how craft and design can generate new forms of meaning and relevance within contemporary culture.

Andreas Anwander is an Austrian designer and craftsman based in Brazil. Shaped by experiences across Europe, the United States, and South America, his work reflects a dialogue between European precision and Brazilian material richness.

Working primarily with certified Brazilian woods, stone, and brass, Anwander creates furniture distinguished by refined details, clean lines, and exceptional craftsmanship. Each piece is developed with a deep respect for materiality, balancing contemporary forms with traditional making techniques.

Known for his meticulous approach and distinctive design language, Anwander’s work explores the intersection of innovation and craft, resulting in timeless pieces defined by authenticity, precision, and lasting quality.

Grzegorz Majka is a self-taught Polish artist who explores the concepts of modularity, sculptural form, and artisanal processes in the design of furniture and lighting. His work seamlessly blends craft and contemporary design, incorporating high-quality noble materials like natural stone, wood, metals, and hand-blown glass. Guided by a deep respect for the inherent character of materials, Grzegorz highlights natural irregularities, textures, and patterns – veins in stone, the living patina of untreated metals, the organic feel of brushed surfaces. These elements are not hidden but embraced, inviting collectors on a sensory journey through touch and time. His studio practice focuses on handcrafted limited-edition furniture that is not only functional, but also living, authentic, and collectible art.

Founded by the Portuguese designer Nelson de Araújo, Nelson de Araújo Design is a conscious luxury furniture label born out of the passion for creating inspiring pieces that seamlessly blend beauty, comfort and functionality.

Designed and handcrafted in Portugal by local artisans, the label prioritizes exceptional craftsmanship and high-quality materials for timeless furniture that stands the test of time.

Federico Stefanovich is a Mexican designer based in Mexico City. His practice focuses on collectible design and the creation of sculptural lighting and objects that explore the interplay between form, light, and materiality. With a visual language that moves between the organic and the geometric, Stefanovich combines digital processes with the mastery of local workshops, celebrating imperfection and the human character of handcraft.

His work is defined by meticulous attention to detail, a constant pursuit of balance, and a deep interest in fostering emotional dialogue between object and user. Each piece reveals layers of process, cultural memory, and collaboration, challenging folkloric clichés to propose a contemporary vision of Mexican design.

Stefanovich’s work has been exhibited at international fairs and galleries, including FOG Design+Art in San Francisco, the Triennale di Milano during Milan Design Week, and 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen, as well as in a solo exhibition at AGO Projects in Mexico City.

In 2025, he was named one of Wallpaper Magazine’s “10 Stars Ascending” and received the People’s Choice Award at the AZ Awards—distinctions that establish him as one of the most relevant emerging voices in today’s global collectible design scene.