A modern black coffee table with four round glass surfaces and a mirrored ice bucket holding champagne bottles in the center.
Photography courtesy of USLU Design Studio.

April 30, 2026

Words: Mairi Beautyman

12 Standout Emerging Designers Spotted At SaloneSatellite 2026 

Beyond product, it was process that shined at SaloneSatellite, Salone del Mobile’s platform for emerging talent under the age of 35. All three of the top winners of this year’s SaloneSatellite awards, Interior Design noticed, also invented the experimental systems behind their products, think: 3D-printed materials with inherent flexibility or 3D printers with built-in spontaneity. We also saw materials pushed into unfamiliar territory—from seashells to mist—and compelling objects such as a champagne table deftly defining the mood.

Ark by Russo Betak

A group of five modern lamps with geometric, translucent shades are arranged in a dimly lit room with sheer curtains.
Photography courtesy of Jakob Storm.
A geometric pendant lamp with layered rectangular panels emits a warm light, hanging in front of a wooden ladder in a dimly lit room.
Photography courtesy of Jakob Storm.

Experimenting with seashells collected from restaurants, design studio Russo Betak conceived Ark, this year’s first prize winner of the SaloneSatellite Award. The light is fabricated from 3D-printed flat sheets created from a blend of oyster, mussel, and scallop shells—natural diffusers of light—and a biopolymer. Highly flexible when still warm, the innovative sheets allow rolling, bending, and folding—preserving gestures that appear fluid even as they set. 

The Bubbly by USLU Design Studio

  • A modern black coffee table with four round glass surfaces and a mirrored ice bucket holding champagne bottles in the center.
    Photography courtesy of USLU Design Studio.
  • A metal bowl is centered on a dark base, surrounded by four green glass dishes with matching green handles, arranged symmetrically.
    Photography courtesy of USLU Design Studio.
  • A sculptural object with glossy dark green surfaces and concentric circular patterns, displayed on a flat base against a neutral background.
    Photography courtesy of USLU Design Studio.

Can a furnishing object kickstart celebration? The Bubbly by Uslu Design Studio transforms the coffee table into an attention-grabbing champagne table. A high-gloss lacquered body, stainless steel detailing, and a blown glass surface converge around a central disco ball-shaped ice bucket, whose polished exterior reflects its surroundings. Drawing on the energy of late 1970s nightlife, the piece captures light, movement, and interaction—translating them into the social catalyst of a memorable party.

Kiri by Yuta Tsuzuki 

A black ladle emits swirling steam against a dark, plain background.
Photography courtesy of Yuta Tsuzuki.
A single rose with smoke rising from it against a dark background.
Photography courtesy of Yuta Tsuzuki.

Time to upgrade your humidifier. The anodized aluminum, stainless steel, and resin Kiri by Yuta Tsuzuki treats mist as its primary material and propels this household object from function to inherent sculptural beauty. Rising through a minimal vertical structure, vapor drifts and settles according to its own logic, transforming the surrounding atmosphere rather than simply humidifying it. The object then recedes, allowing the movement of mist to define its presence.

3D-Printed Ceramic Tiles by IOUS Studio

Four rectangular ceramic tiles with textured, wavy surfaces and glossy finishes are displayed on a flat surface. Each tile features a different color and pattern.
Photography courtesy of IOUS Studio.

With 3D-Printed Ceramic Tiles by IOUS Studio, this year’s second prize winner of the SaloneSatellite Award, 3D printing once again reaches new heights on this list. Developed in collaboration with 3D-printing expert Lamáquina and produced through large-scale clay printing, each tile forms part of a modular framework where geometry, depth, and texture can be precisely tuned. Rather than repeating a fixed pattern, the system allows surfaces to shift in density, orientation, and relief, adapting to different spatial conditions.

Solid by X-ZOO

Three geometric, column-like floor lamps in red, black, and cream colors stand on a textured brown floor against a matching wall, with warm lighting highlighting their shapes.
Photography courtesy of X-ZOO.
Three geometric column lamps with alternating colored segments emit soft light, standing on a dark surface in front of a ribbed metallic wall.
Photography courtesy of X-ZOO.

Interchangeable magnetic decorative overlays in various colors, materials, and textures offer infinite flexibility with Solid by X-ZOO. The series of lighting and ceramic wall pieces, available in materials such as straw mosaic, metal, and leather, allows longevity even as styles and tastes change with an adaptable, interactive skin over a permanent structural body. 

Toi by Junichiro Yokota Studio 

A person holding a large, dome-shaped white object with a cylindrical base against a plain background.
Photography courtesy of Junichiro Yokota Studio.

With graceful geometry drawing from traditional Japanese bells, Toi, a washi paper lamp by Junichiro Yokota Studio, holds its form without the conventional supporting lattice. Through both traditional and innovative production techniques, the paper itself becomes both structure and surface. The name carries a dual meaning—“you” in French, “to ask” in Japanese—positioning the object as both presence and inquiry. 

Soft Touch by Jüngerkühn

  • A pink ceramic vase with textured, swirling patterns sits on a rotating platform inside a metal-framed machine.
    Photography courtesy of Jüngerkühn.
  • A large ceramic vase with a matte surface, featuring intricate, wavy patterns in shades of yellow, orange, and lavender, placed on a white surface against a dark background.
    Photography courtesy of Jüngerkühn.
  • Close-up of a textured surface with layered, oval-shaped cutouts revealing green and pink colors beneath a white top layer.
    Photography courtesy of Jüngerkühn.

A collection of porcelain vases and their custom-built carving system are this year’s third prize winner of the SaloneSatellite Award. To create Soft Touch, Jüngerkühn layered cast forms with colored engobes—high-clay, liquid slurries—then partially removed them with a digitally guided tool that adapts in real time to the material’s condition. The result resists uniformity, embracing variation as an essential quality of digital craft.

Trace by Luvaton Studio

Two sculptural vases with smooth, curving segments; one is beige with a narrow opening, and the other is brown with a flared, petal-like rim. Both are set against a plain white background.
Photography courtesy of Talia Luvaton.
Two sculptural vases with smooth, undulating, organic curves stand side by side; one is light beige and the other is a rich brown color.
Photography courtesy of Talia Luvaton.
A person with a large thigh tattoo poses on tiptoe next to a sculptural, beige vase with curved, petal-like segments against a plain background.
Photography courtesy of Talia Luvaton.

Trace, a series of vegetable-tanned leather vessels by Luvaton Studio, translates movement into form. The hand-molded vessels are shaped via traditional wet-forming techniques—as the material responds to pressure and moisture, each piece captures the tension between softness and structure. Inspired by drawings of the body, the resulting forms carry a sense of rhythm and flow.

Ember by Guro Midtun for Studio Midtun 

  • Minimalist dining area with a wooden table, three wire chairs, a red stool, built-in shelves, and a doorway leading to a bedroom. Large windows bring in natural light.
    Photography courtesy of Studio Midtun.
  • A modern desk with amber-colored textured glass panels stands in a bright room with tall arched windows, ornate columns, and a view of historic buildings outside.
    Photography courtesy of Studio Midtun.
  • A wooden table with an angled top and a green panel between two legs, set against a plain beige background.
    Photography courtesy of Studio Midtun.

Ember, a solid oak table or side table with brass fittings by Studio Midtun, has cathedral glass panels integrated into its base. Offered in various hues that are easily swapped or replaced, the glass filters daylight, casting shifting reflections and soft shadows that evolve throughout the day. 

Palm Shelf by Noemar 

A tan leather sofa, a wooden dining table with chairs, and a large modern planter sit on a wooden floor against a plain white wall.
Photography courtesy of Noemar.
A vertical stack of six cone-shaped wooden bowls on a round base, with some holding a scarf, a bottle, and a rolled-up magazine, against a plain background.
Photography courtesy of Noemar.

Everyday storage is reimagined as a playful vertical landscape with the Palm Shelf by Noemar. The sculptural object, composed of wood, a 3D-printed structure, and stacked Tuscan leather cones, is inspired by Großes Palmenhaus Schönbrunn, Vienna’s Art Nouveau Palm House in the Schönbrunn Palace Park.

Stitch by Emad Lajevardi

A bright red, modern metal chair with a flat square seat, curved armrests, and a straight backrest, placed on a wooden floor against a light wall.
Photography by Saeedeh Sharifi and Parmida Razavi.

A single rhythmic gesture defines both seat and backrest of the Stitch chair by Emad Lajevardi. Formed from steel tube and sheet in a glossy ruby-red finish, the design traces a circular geometry that integrates ergonomic angles and generous handles. The result is an eye-catching functional object that reads differently from every angle.

Knot by Luis Gimeno

A wooden bench with a minimalist design, featuring four sturdy legs and a smooth, rectangular seat, placed on a carpeted floor against a plain wall.
Photography courtesy of Luis Gimeno. 
A wooden chair and matching low table with curved edges are placed on a beige carpet against a plain, light-colored wall. A small sprig of greenery rests on the table.
Photography courtesy of Luis Gimeno. 

Intersecting elements hold each other in balance with the Knot furniture series in solid ash by Luis Gimeno. With each joint a structural necessity, connection becomes both process and form. The series is designed to be easily assembled or disassembled by the user. 

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