Innovative design, unique implementation - manufacturers & designers of the first design LAB did an amazing job

As part of our strategic pillar for production development, we established the first design LAB incubation program, launched in the spring of 2020, in collaboration with the French design institute VIA (Valorisation de l’Innovation dans l’Ameublement). We believed that with the help of the program we could promote successful collaborations between actors in the sector, while also strengthening the background of Hungarian manufacturing. We supported communication and the opportunity for designers and manufacturers to connect by organizing the Speed Dating event, which was implemented online considering the virus situation.

We are proud of the high-volume interest we received for both the Speed Dating and the program itself since a total of 43 collaborators submitted their applications.

We were expecting entries that would be innovative, yet also project ideas for competitive design products, and we were not disappointed after seeing the results. From now onwards, readiness for serial production has also been an important criterion, as it can provide real stability for manufacturers and designers. The manufacturing process was monitored by experts during factory visits, so we were able to screen all phases from preparations to the various work processes to the final product. We were pleased to see that the implementation of sustainability has become increasingly important, with the pairs using recycled textiles and paying close attention to environmental considerations.

By the end of the program, over 40 unique, high-quality, innovative items, serial-ready products were born, which, without exception, show an excellent combination of functionality and aesthetics.

Due to the pandemic, the pairs presented their completed creations online, although I was lucky enough to see the completed pieces in person, so I can safely say that they stand their ground in both domestic and international exhibitions, and by representing Hungary they contribute to strengthening the country's image.

“Modular elements, endless variations” – LOOP Furniture Family

árkossy Bútor Kft and Máté Horváth dared to dream big, and thanks to their cooperation, the LOOP Furniture Family was born, consisting of 12 innovative products with different functions and a unique point of view regarding design. Sustainability was an important element of consideration for them during the design process, so they used recycled and waste materials, among other things. An interesting fact about the collection is that an almost infinite number of variations can be created from the modular elements.

“Fabric made from 100% PET bottles” - MATCH sofa

Varkoly Fiai Kft and Máté Horváth created the MATCH upholstered sofa family, which consists of different sized modules. One of the great specialties of their product is that they designed the fabric for their furniture made from 100% PET bottles. Also, the filling material for the pillows consisted of foam waste generated during production, so we can safely say that they have taken a big step towards sustainability.

?Combining innovative and classic craft solutions”- Hommage lamp family

Micro-Licht Lighting Studio collaborated with Miklós Leits to create the Hommage lamp family. It was an important aspect for them during the design process, that in addition to innovation, the values of classic, handcrafted solutions also appeared in their works. During the project, special elements such as a custom-made floodlight disc or porcelain glaze on the surface of the lamps were used.

“Reminiscent of the comfort of our home” - Tangens Office Home office furniture

Rotte Kft and Sára Kele worked together on developing the Tangens Office Home office furniture family. They created 15 different, modularly assembled, airy office furniture pieces. The pieces and their geometric shapes and graphic elements carry the environmental comfort of a home-office station designed for homes. After a lengthy material research period, they were finally able to find textiles that have proven to be suitable not only in terms of quality and feel, but also in terms of sustainability.

?Smart and self-sustaining” – Pet Flat Doghouse

Tilia 2002 Bt. and István Ulmann have created an intelligent doghouse that is functional, and both aesthetic and self-sufficient at once, while also reflecting customer needs. The product is called Pet Flat, and its innovative value is undeniable, as the creation is equipped with its own battery mains, solar panels, exterior and interior cameras, concealed lighting and natural ventilation

“The inspiration of a Snowberry plant” - BERRI lamp family

The starting point of the BERRI lamp family, designed by POSITION Collective and implemented by úri Lux Kft., was to develop their portfolio, and their inspiration was sourced from the snowberry plant when creating their 6-piece collection. Thanks to new production technologies, jewel-like, detailed products were created, with special features such as the unique wood forms used, as well as glass pigments. The pieces in the collection can be a perfect choice for those who want to brighten their home with unique-looking lamps.

 “Ergonomically perfect” - TILES chair

Balaton Bútor Kft., together with designer Dániel Lakatos, designed and implemented the TILES chair, which is based on a completely new characteristic form, built from plane and polygon forms. The chairs, developed to ergonomic perfection have a multi-curved surface, the arches of which are reduced and assembled from flat plates. The innovative value of the finished products is due to this special solution, as this technique has not been experimented with previously anywhere in the world.

I would also like to thank the board’s work, which consisted of industry experts who evaluated the entries, as they were the ones who saw the potential when at the time, the ideas were only plans on paper.

In my opinion, it is extremely important to support the afterlife of finished products, therefore we will do our best to display these excellent works in as many domestic and - if the virus situation lets us - international exhibitions and design platforms as possible, and therefore ensuring international export and wide range of visibility.

Viewing the creations, several industry experts offered to hold workshops for the designer-manufacturer pairs, including on the topics of capital investment and trademarking, and negotiations for these opportunities are already underway.

The work of the pairs participating in the program has also been further honored by the fact that VIA, a French design institute, has offered to present their products at Paris Design Week, which is an exceptional opportunity.

In Hungary, for the time being, there has only been a few examples of project work between manufacturers and designers – however, they are exceptionally good. I believe that this may be one of the keys to reaching a successful position domestically, therefore the main goal of our Agency is to get as many actors as possible to grasp the opportunities available for collaboration between manufacturers and designers. In the framework of the first design LAB, thanks to the successful associations and excellent products created, we showed that it is worthwhile for industry players to open up to each other, and in the future they will hopefully initiate similar collaborations independently.