Monica Förster
Creator of some of the most internationally renowned objects in contemporary Swedish design today, grew up close to the Artic circle in the very north of Sweden. Her work is characterized by a strong sense of pure form mixed with a never ending curiosity for new materials and technology. Always trying to work in a cross-disciplinary way, she invents and renews typologies in industrial, furniture and object design.
Monica Förster, one of the top names within Swedish design, has created some of the future’s classic designs. Monica Förster Design Studio is based in Stockholm and works on an international level with companies such as Volvo, Tecno, Alessi, Cappellini, Poltrona Frau, De Padova, Bernhardt, Whirlpool, Georg Jensen, Eric Joergensen, Offecct, Swedese and Rörstrand.
Since 2015 , Monica works as a creative advisor for a number of companies in the design industry. She sees the importance of maintaining and developing tradition by creating furniture and objects with a modern cut in old craft techniques.
Monica has also been involved in launching the recognized Bosnian company Zanat, listed for UNESCO World Heritage Site. She strives to move the company on an international market, working with the vision, and initiating new collaborations.
She has been awarded many Swedish and international awards as the Designer of the Year and the prestigious Sweden’s Architect Association Award, The Golden Chair. Her work has been exhibited all over the world in museums and institutions such as Moma NY and VA Museum, London. Monica Förster has also been represented in The International Design Yearbook.
Selected awards
2021 – Bruno Mathsson Prize
2021 – Designer of the Year Elle Decoration Sweden Award
2020 – Designer of the Year Residence Magazine Grand Award
2019 – Residence Magazine Lauritz Icon Award , Sana Chair for Zanat
2019 – Iconic Awards – Innovative Interior, Sana Chair for Zanat
2018 – Best Interior Accessory Elle Decoration Sweden.
2017 – Interior Innovation Award
Selection, imm Cologne.
2015 The Golden Chair Award, Swedish Architect Association
2015 – Designer of the Year Elle Decoration Sweden
2015 – ELLE Decoration Sweden
Best tableware, Inblue and Inwhite for Rörstrand
2015 – Interior Innovation Award
imm Cologne, Unna for Zanat
2014 – Wallpaper Design Award
Best window sill, Flower Pot for Skultuna
2013 – ELLE Interiör Sweden
Best tableware, Dorotea for Gense
2010 – Wallpaper Design Award
Best domestic design, Aurora for Liljeholmens Stearinfabrik
2008 – ELLE Decoration Sweden
Designer of the Year
2004 – Time magazine
Coolest Inventions, Cloud for Offecct
For more information and
the complete awards list:
Yearly exhibitions
Salone Internazionale del Mobile,
Milan (IT).
Stockholm Furniture Fair,
Stockholm (SE)
ICFF, New York (US)
100% Design, London (UK)
Imm Cologne, Cologne (DE)
Bibliography
Arvinius, Monica Förster Lateral Thinking, 2013
Nivå 125 Båstad, Sketch Book, 2014