Seven manufacturer-designer duos funded by the design LAB incubation programme

The Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency has selected the best applications for its design LAB incubation programme. Based on the decision of the Evaluation Committee, seven pairs – each made up of a manufacturer and a designer whose application has been found most original and competitive -- will receive funding to help realise their products appropriate for quantity production.

The design Lab incubation programme, launched by HFDA, aims at the strategic development of manufacturing, promotes fruitful collaborations between manufacturers and designers, supports the manufacturing sector, and provides incentives for export. Now the programme has come to a new phase: an Evaluation Committee made up of renowned experts of the design industry, assessed the 43 applications in two stages and has selected the pairs that are to receive funding to manufacture their product described in their application.

The design Lab incubation programme mobilised a fair number of actors in the design sector: as many as 43 designer-manufacturer duos had submitted their application to the Agency, most of which also attended the online event entitled Speed Dating fostering professional cooperation. The Evaluation Committee, comprising national and international experts of the sector, assessed the submitted plans in several rounds. Among the decisive factors were the possibility of quantity production, the relevance of costs and scheduling, the concept of design, the sustainability of the product as well as its visual imagery. The best seven pair scoring the highest points have been granted the funding from which they will be able to bring their product to life.

The committee has selected the following ‘teams’ for their creativity and uniqueness as well as their potential success at high-standard international fairs: 1) Árkossy Bútor and Mr Máté Horváth, 2) Micro-Licht Világítástechnikai Stúdió Kft. and Mr Miklós Leits, 3) Rotte Kft. And Ms Sára Kele, 4) Balaton Bútor Kft. and Planbureau, 5) Tilia 2002 Bt. and István Ulmann, 6) Varkoly Fiai Bútoripai Kft. and Mr Máté Horváth, and 7) Úri Lux Kereskedelmi és Szolgáltató Kft and Position Collective.

Applicants awarded the grant boast an ability to combine function with aesthetics, but some competitors impressed the Committee with their multifaceted nature of applying materials. Striving for sustainability was also a factor taken into account during the assessment and bringing extra points to the applicants.

The designer-manufacturer pairs will use the funding to produce pieces of furniture or lamps during the course of the subsequent months. HFDA will organise factory visits and the manufacturing process will be overseen, step by step, by sectoral experts appointed by HDFA.

Designer and manufacturer teams selected: