Six manufacturer-designer duos create mass-producible objects in the HFDA’s incubational programme

The Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency (HFDA) launched its design LAB incubational programme in 2022 again, which has stirred the imaginations of several domestic designers and manufacturers. From the 36 entries submitted for the grant, the professional committee picked six manufacturer-designer duos as winners, who got the possibility to mass-produce their innovative products or product lines. Among the winners, some objects comply with the principles of the circular economy, pieces of furniture based on contactless device-sharing, and tools that enable energy-friendly outdoors cooking. The implementation phase of the third-time-launched programme started on the first of August, beginning with site visits.

The Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency created the design LAB incubational programme in 2020 with the intent of aiding collaborations between the sector's actors. Moreover, it aims to support domestic designers’ and manufacturers’ development, and the entrance of new actors on the market, while putting great emphasis on manufacturing development, increasing the industry’s competitiveness, and incentivising export.

Similarly to previous years, manufacturers and designers who wanted to join the programme had the chance to explore the potential of collaboration during a Speed Dating online event this year as well. At Speed Dating, in 2022, almost 50 conversations were realised between 17 manufacturers and 12 designers; as a result of which, 36 entries were submitted by the applicants. The submitted applications were judged by a committee of renowned experts, featuring Dr Judit Horváth, Head of the Department of the Contemporary Design Collection of the Museum of Applied Arts; Barbara Majcher, Office Manager of the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office; Zsófia Kovács, Manager of Max City Center; and Gábor Wilheim, President of Fabunio-Hungarian Wood and Furniture Union. Besides the professional jury, Zsófia Jakab; CEO of the HFDA, Anita Forintos-Szűcs, Deputy CEO; Oszkár Vági, professional consultant; and Jean-Paul Bath representing the Agency’s collaborator, VIA (Valorisation de I’Innovation dans I’Ameublement), the French Institute of Design also gave their opinions. Based on the final decision, six entries got the possibility to start mass-producing their production-ready creations. The projects that have won a grant started the six-month realisation phase as of the 1^st of August, at the end of which, by January 2023, the final products for sale will be ready.

“It is crucial for us to support excellent professional projects and initiatives by providing possibilities for cooperation. Our goal is to contribute to the growth of the number of valuable collaborations by acknowledging creative business solutions and their extensive promotion. When creating the entries, manufacturers and designers combine their personal experiences, technologies used, and individual style. The creations realised during the programme are made using new and groundbreaking solutions and approaches that make it possible for them to proudly represent the Hungarian creative industry on the international scene as well” – said Anita Forintos-Szűcs, Deputy CEO of the HFDA, about the possibilities of collaborations.

Art Innova Kft. and Dr Norbert Vasváry-Nádor designer want to develop furniture for device sharing which is suitable for storing devices (official documents, objects, or even packages) and sharing them with others. The duo recognised the need for contactless logistics within institutions, so APPACK technically solves the problem of secure storage and time-independent contactless transfer.

The Repeta project developed by the manufacturer Concrazy Kft. and Sára Kele designer offers its interior concrete object collections in catering establishments, from the entrance to the restroom, indoors and outdoors. The surfaces of the objects, which are based on basic geometric shapes, are interpreted as canvases so that abstract works inspired by our architectural past adorn the pieces in the collection. Sustainability aspirations appear both materially and ideologically, the collection’s name also refers to circularity.

The creators of the project Shape, Faktum Bútor Kft. and Máté Horváth, aim to create a group of products that function as an innovative baby room that stands out for its design, adaptability, use of materials and production technology. The furniture line was born out of creativity, innovation and sustainability: its elements can be used for decades due to their practical design, and they stand their ground outside the baby room as well.

The collaboration between Gránit és Márvány Kft. and Espiritu Consulting Kft. (Bettina Bessenyei designer), Shango Outdoor Cooking project reduces environmental impact by using renewable energy sources. The key idea behind the project is to replace traditional outdoor cooking facilities with an electric alternative. The duo aims to create and mass-produce a mobile in- and outdoor induction cooking island that is not yet available on the market and represents a technological innovation.

The joint project of Kárpitos Partner Group Bt. and IO Line And Round Kft. (Annabella Hevesi designer) is an upholstered chair, the PEACH Easy Chair designed for domestic and public use. The chairs feature jewel-like 3D-printed metal shapes that achieve the desired ergonomic effect by mechanically distorting the sponge - rather than by cutting to shape, glueing or casting. The duo achieves a more economical and sustainable implementation by using innovative construction technologies instead of otherwise environmentally damaging upholstery solutions.

Multifelt Factory Kft. and Co & Co Designcommunication Kft. (Márton Budai designer) won support for the KILIM touch lamp line, which only needs water, steam, and temperature for producing its material. The product provides users with a sense of ownership and uniqueness through the body- and textile-like appearance and the ability to control the brightness, making the product an imprint of people, design, and function. 

“Supporting technological development, research, and innovation are the three drivers of economic growth and sustainable development. The role of these factors is all the more important at a time when industry stability is made more difficult by changes in economic conditions. The innovative solutions applied in the design industry and the ingenuity of the designers result in the creation of internationally strong products during the design LAB programme, which justly strengthen Hungary's position in the design industry. In addition, Hungarian products that are forward-looking both in technology and form, have an important role in building the country’s image” – added Zsófia Jakab, the HFDA’s CEO about the role of the incubational programme in the design industry.

The realisation phase of the 2022 design LAB started on the first of August and will last until the end of January 2023. During this period, the Agency monitors the collaboration process through on-site visits every month or two. The most important steps in the implementation phase are the fine-tuning of the visual designs and technical drawings, the testing of materials and shapes, the preparation of templates and test pieces, the procurement of materials and machinery, the preparation of production plans and the formal development of the products. In the coming months, the designer-manufacturer duos will produce the first prototypes, which, after an evaluation, will be finalised and ready for series production by the end of January 2023.

The entries that won a possibility for series production in the incubational programme held for the third time got a huge head start on the road to successful sales and recognition. But not only the winners could gain profits from the programme, since - even if they did not get any funding this year - other candidates could also get to know the creative minds forming the market in an inspiring and supportive environment. Professional relations and the dialogue between the actors and knowledge sharing further strengthen the competitiveness of the domestic design sector, which is in line with the Agency’s long-term goals; thus, the HFDA will continue to support similar endeavours and programmes.

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About the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency

The Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency was founded in 2018 as a subsidiary of the Hungarian Tourism Agency with two main departments: fashion- and design industries. The Agency’s goal is to increase the Hungarian fashion and design industry’s international fame and recognition and, through this, strengthen the country’s image. Besides, its main tasks include increasing exports, strengthening and developing the domestic manufacturing base, and developing creative and professional skills with a long tradition. As an integrative organisation, its accentuated goal is the facilitation of efficient, professional coordination between Hungarian and international fashion and design industry actors, which is indispensable for success in the long run.

About the design LAB programme

The Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency created its incubational programme called design LAB in 2020, which primarily aims to facilitate collaboration between actors in the design sector, designers, and manufacturers, thus supporting manufacturing. The manufacturers and designers who apply to the programme can assess the possibilities in cooperation during the Speed Dating networking event, and then a professional committee will evaluate the entries created in collaboration. The winners get an opportunity to mass-produce their production-ready products or product lines; thus, the programme supports the domestic manufacturing industry and brings talented designers' products to the market.