Apple's latest design showcase explores how furniture can inspire us to stay present

Apple's Designers of Tomorrow showcase at Design Miami Paris delves into the concept of "Design for Presence," examining how physical objects foster attention, reflection, and interaction. Curator Rodman Primack headed the exhibition, which Wallpaper* previewed before its opening. Using Apple tools like iPad, Apple Pencil, and MacBook Pro, four emerging designers brought their unique interpretations to life.

Egyptian-Danish architect Salem S. Charabi presented "The Eminence of Light," a lantern made from materials found in his Cairo studio, including a limestone base, banana paper diffuser, and interlocking date palm fronds. Every component had to be meticulously designed and modeled on his MacBook Pro.

Brooklyn designer Isabel Rower's "The Padded Chair 1860" drew inspiration from a historic chair she photographed in Paris. The chair's fringe consists of over 1,500 ceramic beads, designed to create an appealing sound when brushed. The piece reflects on the unique form of the 1860s chair and its dramatic fringed skirt.

Seoul artist Yoonjeong Lee's "New Form" combines a wooden table with an integrated lamp, featuring roughly 5,000 veneer sheets for the base and three worn pencils securing the paper lampshade. Lee drew inspiration from a nearly used-up pencil, which she saw as a symbol of knowledge and continuity.

Mexican studio Parafernalia created "MonoAmbiente 1," a folding table with two stools that nest beneath it. The acid-etched stainless steel surfaces form a seamless landscape when the furniture is closed. The designers explained that the piece represents a shift from solitary observation to shared occupation, encouraging participation rather than defining conversation. The exhibition runs from October 21 to October 25, 2026, at Hotel de Maisons in Paris.