An Inside Look: the Overview

This series of posts will give you an inside look into our process and help to answer the question, "What do you do?" which I often explain to those outside the industry . . .

In the simplest terms we develop products, most of which can be found here. We come out with new hardware twice a year for retail and work with furniture companies to meet their introduction time lines. (And as seen above, we have the fun task of creating corporate artwork!)

The retail and showroom designs are created and narrowed internally. We have the freedom to determine what the company comes out with. The factors we consider are: price point, manufacturing process/materials, and design/finish aesthetics.

Working with the furniture companies is a little different. We develop concepts for their consideration, but usually we are brought into the project after the direction is decided. Often our work is done around their sketches or CAD drawings. Overall I enjoy working with outside designers and appreciate the part we play. It's rewarding to see your work under spot lights at market (which is coming up soon!).

So, to sum up this post: we design hardware in-house for retail/showroom markets and work with furniture companies to provide original designs for their new introductions.

Stay tuned for more "Inside Looks"

Love it or Hate it? Moustache furniture . . .

"Moustache’s aim is to bring together a group of like-minded designers to nurture the development of innovative and honest furnishings that will stand the test of time." yatzer.com

It looks like junk to me. Some of the pieces look like cheap IKEA and others look dated to the 80s. I suppose this is the "anti" posting of what I find inspiring. Just to make sure though, do you agree?

Our first poll results are in!

The first poll conducted here asked you to finish this thought: Home furnishings are becoming more:
Traditional
Contemporary
Rustic
Unique

The poll results indicated a majority win of: Contemporary.

Please participate in our new poll to the right - since my company participates in both retail and OEM hardware business, I'll be travelling to both!

3 Questions

I found a brief article online which included Niels Diffrient's career highlights and three questions with his answers. I am going to post my own answers in the comments -- you should too!

"While a student at Cranbrook Academy of Art in the late 40’s early 50’s, Niels Diffrient also worked as a designer and model-maker in Eero Saarinen’s practice. This is just the beginning of an illustrious design career in which ergonomic study and design has become a passion and expertise. Designing office seat furniture for Knoll and Sunar-Hausermann in the 80’s preceded Diffrient’s current pursuits at Humanscale, the ergonomic workplace furniture and accessories design manufacturer." - http://www.otto-otto.com/2009/04/3-questions-niels-diffrient/


What is your favorite example of great design?
EARTH

What is the most memorable moment in your career as a designer?
BIRTH

What is the most important factor that influences and/or inspires your design process?
SLEEP

(click on comments to see more designers' answers)