Indians Designers are taking a keen interest in Salone Del Mobile and the Milan Design Week; Design Connect spoke to Indian designers who showcased their work at Milan
A Delhi based Design Studio, Design Clinic showcased their designs at the Milan Design Week, Design Connect spoke to Founder and Creative Director Parth Parikh.
How was the experience at Milan Design Week? Was it positive in terms of marketing your products to a global audience?
A huge achievement for us to represent India in the Milan Design Week, A dream come true experience. Yes showcasing your collection on such a huge platform and that to displaying products inspired from India is a beautiful feeling.
Founder and Creative Director, Parth Parikh.
Tell us something about Design Clinic India, what led to the inception of Design Clinic India?
Design Clinic India is a Delhi based multi-disciplinary design studio with an expertise in the field of furniture, lights & interiors that draws its inspiration from its country INDIA. The brand believes that “Our country never fails to inspire us”. Swearing by the one off quality that incorporates Indian art, craft and the local scenarios of india, to create contemporary products.
Well I always wanted to start my own design studio and work under the tagline of MADE IN INDIA. I wanted to use my experience and skills to create fresh products by incorporating India in them through crafts and colours.
In your own words what is your idea of good design?
Good design is something which plays a happy and a positive role to its users, something which could be cherished for life.
The Design Clinic Stall at Milan Design Week
Tell us something about the first project you guys had worked on?
We debuted with some furniture pieces which was highly appreciated on the social media. I still remember when Elle Decor India and OGAAN people contacted me for a very prestigious Design event which happens in Delhi by the name of India Design ID. It was a huge achievement for us to be a part of this event from which we got recognition.
In your design journey so far, which project, product has imparted a lot of recognition to your brand?
Our “PHOOLMANDI COLLECTION’’ designed and launched in 2017 is one of the highly appreciated collection so far. The Tokri Pouf which is part of the Phoolamandi Collection is the most ordered and loved product and we believe that whatever we design should create a positive impact on our customer.
After having witnessed the design pool at Milan, what are your thoughts on the global design sense, is the language of design really universal or is it denoted by cultural affinities?
Well I always follow my heart rather following an existing design trend. When we say that ‘our country never fails to inspire us’ we worship it like anything. Our design language is very colourful and artistic which we believe is a perfect way to show INDIA through design. People will accept you globally if you’re original in your work.
What are some of the recent products/projects you will be working on?
We launched a collection called “Indian Nritya” exclusively at the Milan Design Week 2018. This collection is inspired from different dance forms of India using a 200 year old craft called “Channapatna”. We are working with the same craft right now and experimenting in smaller products.
A.N. Design Studio is a design studio based in Thane, Mumbai, the studio had participated in Salone Satellite 2018, Design Connect spoke to Principal Designer of the firm Nimish Pawar
How was the experience at Salone Satellite 2018? Was it positive in terms of marketing your products to a global audience?
Salone Satellite 2018 was a big event & it was a great opportunity for us to showcase our designs to global audience.
Tell us something about A.N.Studio, what led to the inception of A.N.Studio?
A.N. Studio was established in 2009. Since then we have created designs and solutions for variety of architecture, interiors, furniture & art works.
The Twin Nepenthes Lamp
In your own words what is your idea of good design?
A good design should be futuristic & multifaceted.
In your design journey so far, which project, product has imparted a lot of recognition to your brand?
Since our inception, we have worked on many architectural and interior projects with unique ideas & approach. During the course, we have had opportunity to work with renowned architect and artist Tomas Saraceno from Berlin. We did detail development and production of architectonic artworks of various scales for Tomas. We have also produced series of furniture products for Atelje Sotamma from Finland. These furniture products are designed with contemporary modeling softwares & 3D printing technology. However these were assembled with traditional handcrafting methods.
The Badam Lamp
After having witnessed the design pool at Salone, what are your thoughts on the global design sense, is the language of design really universal or is it denoted by cultural affinities?
Although there is very vast, advance exposure to the latest technology, new methods of prototyping & producing designs with using tools like CNC, 3D printing etc; it has been noticed that the culture really adds their own flavor into creation of designs.
The Octruss Table
What are some of the recent products/projects you will be working on?
Recently we are producing our bespoke Octruss table which is an Octrahydron crystalline structure made with brass rods; as well as Twin Nepenthes & Badam lamps which are forms derived from nature and produced with handcrafting in brass & copper sheet metals. We are also collaborating with a Swiss partner to develop designs & make production of series of furniture in coming time.
A Delhi based studio, Studio Wood, showcased their designs at the Milan Design Week, Design Connect spoke to Vrinda Mathur, Cofounder, Studio Wood
How was the experience at Salone Satellite 2018?
It was a dream come true, after having worked on exquisite pieces of furniture in India we were eager to introduce our expertise to a global audience. We showcased four new pieces of furniture. These pieces include a coffee table, flatpack side table, accent chair and customisable wall-scones. Each piece has a different story and inspiration woven together through its materiality, colours and sleek lines.
(L -R) Vrinda Mathur, Navya Aggarwal and Sahej Bhatia
Tell us something about Studio Wood, what led to the inception of Studio Wood?
It was a summer project which led to the inception of Studio Wood. Back then me, Navya Aggarwal & Sahej Bhatia were working together on a furniture collection that was launched as Re-love in August 2014. That went on to be a success led us to seriously considere the idea of exploring furniture designing full time and se, we decided to start our own studio and the journey so far has been very gratifying.
The Hudson Side Table
What is your design philosophy?
Since the company started off its journey with a collaborative design project, our philosophy has always been to co-create. This notion has lead us into working alongside design leaders such a Asian Paints, Inchwork, Shweta Malhotra, Imperial Knots and Conow to name a few. We believe good design responds to the client needs; our design philosophy also lies in creating furniture not for the places but for the people. Since our inception our collective design mandate has been in favour of creating custom made pieces, which responds to the dynamic needs of the end user.
Tell us something about the first project you guys had worked on?
Our first project was “Re-loved furniture” which was launched in August 2014; it was an attempt to reuse old furniture pieces to recreate something novel. In achieving the novelty our design methodology tethered on to mixing mediums, experimenting with colour and adding a dose of new age materials to give them a new form and function. Pouf seats were designed out of drawers and consoles out of study tables.
The Gingham Bench
In your design journey so far, which project, product has imparted a lot of recognition to your brand?
One such project that I believe is the real reason behind the studio’s recognition, right from numerous features on international platforms such as Architizer, Archello to winning IBDSA’s India’s Best Young Studio Award 2016, had a quality of bridging the gaps between three approaches- that is to explore and combine the fields of art, architecture and design by providing simple design solutions and altering the familiar. This was the office space of ‘Truly Madly Matchmakers’ that was completed in 2015.
After having witnessed the design pool at Milan, what are your thoughts on the global design sense, is the language of design really universal or is it denoted by cultural affinities?
While all design studios at Milan where very global in their approach, their cultural sensibilities crept in, either into the forms, functions or materials of their products. But having said that, design is still universal. It gives an opportunity to do problem-solving of the same issue but a hundred different ways.
The Studio Wood Stall at Salone Satellite
What are some of the recent products/projects you will be working on?
Our portfolio for this year will include both interiors and furniture. We are developing and enhancing our flat-pack range of tables (that were launched at SaloneSatellite) our idea is to improve the production processes, time & ease of assembly. On the interiors front, a whole lot of new projects are lined up, right from high-end residential spaces, to rustic offices & a minimally designed retail outlet for a home decor brand.
