Alumni Stories

Ini Archibong

Degree: 
BS 12 Environmental Design

designbyini.com

Ini Archibong was studying at the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California when his life pivoted. His passion for business was being overtaken by his passion for art, which he had studied at Polytechnic School, a preparatory school in Pasadena. Upon this realization, he left USC to join GeorgeArchitecture in South Pasadena. There, for two years, Archibong immersed himself in learning the trade. In 2007 his portfolio led to acceptance into ArtCenter’s Environmental Design program, where he was an Edwards Endowed Scholar and an Outreach Grant recipient. He later received a master’s degree in luxury design and craftsmanship from ECAL (École cantonale d’art de Lausanne).

A few minutes after meeting Ini, you realize you are in the presence of someone destined to achieve great things. His personal charisma complements his natural design talent—he has the drive, passion and commitment to sustain a long and successful career.

Jerry HellingPresident of Bernhardt Design

Archibong’s diverse personal and professional background infuses his work. He draws from his expertise in architecture, environmental and product design, and design strategy as well as lifelong passions for mathematics, philosophy and world religions. As a son of Nigerian emigrants to the United States and as someone who has also resided in Singapore and Switzerland, he creates work that respects and acknowledges the rich cultural traditions which he came from and experienced.

Archibong has designed and consulted for top brands such as Bernhardt Design, De Sede, Herman Miller, Cumberland, Nucraft, L’Oréal and Chrysler and been featured in various print and online publications, including Pin-Up, Surface, Metropolis, Nowness and Azure. His industry honors include the ICFF Studio Award, Best of NeoCon Silver, International Woodworking Fair’s Design Emphasis Award and ICFF’s American Student Designer of the Year Award. He has taught at the National University of Singapore and been on lecture panels at the College Art Association conference and the USC School of Architecture with esteemed architects and designers such as Frank Gehry and Karim Rashid.

Exhibited globally in galleries and design events, Archibong’s work has been at the Alyce de Roulet Williamson Gallery in Pasadena, Triode Design in Paris and Museo Bagatti Valsecchi in Milan. Presently he has works on view in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and in the Swiss Pavilion (VIP lounge) at the World Expo in Milan.

Archibong lives and works in Basel, Switzerland.

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