DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

The Designer of the Year is the prestigious award initiated by Knack Weekend and Le Vif Weekend in 2006. Since 2023 Knack Weekend and Le Vif Weekend partner with FOR THE NOW to present the Designer of the Year and their work at FOR THE NOW. This collaboration stems from a shared commitment of providing a platform for Belgian design talent.

Julien Renault, a multidisciplinary designer based in Brussels, has been honored with the prestigious title of Designer Of The Year 2023.

Julien Renault's journey in design has been shaped by two distinct cultures and educational approaches. He grew up outside of Paris and studied design in both France (at the Reims School of Art and Design) and Switzerland (at ECAL). These contrasting experiences have influenced his approach to his work.

His work is marked by a keen awareness of how objects relate to their surroundings. Open-minded and curious, Renault draws inspiration from everyday life and isn't afraid to find beauty in the ordinary.

For the FOR THE NOW event, Julien presents a unique collection of his recent works alongside select projects from his early years. The exhibition is organized within a floor grid layout reminiscent of a flea market vendor's setup. Julien Renault's work is displayed in its pure simplicity, like a momentary snapshot, offering a comprehensive view of his creative journey. By bringing together these creations for the first time, a previously hidden coherence emerges among the individual pieces, revealing their shared identity and unity.