IDEA - The Design Supermarket by Niklas Jacob
Flatpack Irony
Danish designer Niklas Jacob worked with a number of international designers to create a series of products that poke fun at the ubiquity of a certain Swedish flat-packed furniture chain. The white MDF and self assembled nature of the products may feel oddly familiar, as do the Swedish sounding product names and instructions sheets featuring blobbular figures. Less expected is the dark humour, irony and occasional sharp social commentary.
DIÄT, for example, is a square table with a big round hole in the middle, for those who need to diet. CHATT, a dining table with built-in holders for mobile phones, highlights how social media is making us unsociable. LÄS is a monumental bookshelf for a minuscule number of books, whilst ÄKTENSKÅP is a wardrobe with built-in rest and entertainment features for the hiding philanderer to enjoy. Those who like to be controversial would no doubt enjoy HÄLLELUJA, the prayer stand which just so happens to provide the optimal position for a sex related job, though your dog is less likely to be impressed by the BJÄBB canine carrying case. These may be somewhat less useful than self-assembled shelves and tables, but definitely more fun and thought-provoking.
Links
Shop the Style
Product Inspiration
Expect the unexpected with quirky design furniture such as the NBA Basketball lounge chair from Lento, the Luna cabinet from Coedition and the Lady on a Carpet rug from Seletti.
Light up the conversations with these fun and quirky lights including the Olo table lamp from Moustache, the Twee T. suspension light from Casamania and the Flash lamp from Qeeboo.
Accessorise for maximum impact and fun with the Omni The Fisherman napkin tray from Ghidini 1961, the Holy Homes Bird Church from Frederik Roije and the Wunderkammer Shell from Diesel Living.
Also in Product Ideas
Minimal Expressions by Niko Koronis
Detractors of minimalism often decry the cold, impersonal nature of the style. However, when executed intelligently, minimalist designs can be surprisingly expressive. The furniture collections of designer Niko Koronis is a case in point.
Experimental Designs from Ukurant
Founded by furniture designers Josefine Krabbe Munck, Kamma Rosa Schytte, Kasper Kyster and Lærke Ryom, Ukurant showcases experimental products from emerging designers which straddle the border between art and commerce.
Paper Furniture by WooJai Lee
As part of his graduation project, designer WooJai Lee created a strong yet light material akin to papier-mâché. The collection feels organic and industrial at the same time, no mean feat for a material which started life as a humble newspaper.