Career
He began his design career after his studies in Industrial Design in New York, which led him to apprenticeships and further studies in Italy and Germany. Cobonpue pioneered the integration of design, manufacturing and global distribution as well as branding in Cebu, operating from his headquarters on the island. Awards to his cr include Hong Kong’s Design for Asia Award, the Japan Good Design Award, the American Society of Interior Designers Selection, the French Coup de Coeur Award, and the first Asian Designer of the Year title given by the Maison et Objet in Paris.
TIME Magazine has called him “rattan’s first great virtuoso."
Interior Crafts of the Islands, Incorporated.
(Imperial Chemical Industries)
After a series of further studies and apprentices abroad, Kenneth moved back to Cebu in 1996 to help manage their family business founded by his mother in 1972. Upon managing the business, Kenneth discovered that by the use of natural fibers and materials as a medium, modern design could have a new face.
1980 – Lotus (patented)
1998 – Yin Yang – Kenneth Cobonpue"s first design. 1999 – Balou
2000 – Pigale, Louisiana Luna
2001 – Voyage
2002 – Yoda, Croissant, Kabuki, Lulu
2003 – Tilt, Matilda, Amaya, Dimple, Lolita, Terra
2004 – Chiquita, Lolah, Wave, Pirouette
2005 – Stitches, Retaso, Suzy Wong, Kawayan
2006 – Dragnet, Dimsum, Link
2007 – Kawayan Too, Manolo
2008 – Oasis, Noodle, Bouquet, Operetta
2009 – Bloom, Harry, Hagia, Freya, Nobu, Vaña
2010 – Rapunzel, Ima, Juniper, Ziggy
2011 – Cabaret, Papillion, Mermaid,Dream Catcher, Pebble, Giza, Enoki, Tria
2012 – Eclipse, Tropez, Zaza, Kaja, Parchment Table, Annika
2013 – Parchment, Calyx, Adesso, Trame, Papillion Swing
International Design Yearbook 2005 (Lawrence King Publishing House of London) curated by Marcel Wanders
International Design Yearbook 2004 (Lawrence King Publishing House of London) curated by Tom Dixon
International Design Yearbook 2002 (Lawrence King Publishing House of London) curated by Ross Lovegrove.
Tropical Living and Tropical Interiors both by Elizabeth Reyes (Periplus Editions) 2002
New Bedroom Design, 2004 (Daab GmbH) by Marcel Wanders 2005
1000 New Designs and Where to Find Them, 2006 (Laurence King Publishing, Limited)by Jennifer Hudson
Tropical Interiors, 2002, (Periplus Editions Hong Kong) by Elizabeth Reyes.
Pages 93–97
Design Now!, 2007 (Taschen GmbH) by Charlotte & Peter Fiell
Simply Material, 2007, (Viction:Workshop Limited) by Victor Cheung
Fork, 2007 (Phaidon Press) by Tom Dixon
Phaidon"s new 2007 book, "& FORK," underscores his leading position in the industry. Appearance in European television including Deutsche Welle and Dutch television
“The Voyager” – “Never gonna leave this Bed” music video by Maroon 5 | January 29, 2011
International magazines:
Wallpaper
Newsweek
TIME Magazine July 2006 ISSN 0040-781X
Newspapers: The Washington Post and Shanghai Daily News
“Ocean’s Thirteen”
“Computer Society of India: Miami”
Other Media Magazines featuring Kenneth Cobonpue.
