Six manufacturer-designer duos take part in the HFDA’s 2022 design LAB programme

At the design LAB programme, held for the third time by the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency (HFDA), the jury selected 6 winners from the 36 entries. The goal of the incubational programme is to support the manufacturing development, initiate collaboration between the actors in the sector, strengthen the domestic manufacturers' background, and indirectly, increase the industry’s competitiveness.

Similarly to previous years, manufacturers and designers had the chance to develop and explore professional contacts at the Speed Dating online event this year as well. In 2022, 17 manufacturers and 12 designers could evaluate the potential of collaborations in almost 50 meetings.  Manufacturers and designers could apply with one jointly submitted application to the funding which provides financial support mainly for creating furniture, home accessories, and textiles. In the programme, outstanding design creations are made each year which put environmental sustainability aspects in the focus as well.

The submitted applications were judged by a committee of renowned experts again this year, including Dr Judit Horváth, Head of 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. The design LAB programme is realised in cooperation with the French design institute, VIA (Valorisation de l’Innovation dans l’Ameublement); thus, Jean-Paul Bath, president of the organisation, also gave his opinion on the winning entries. From the HFDA’s part, Zsófia Jakab CEO, Anita Forintos-Szűcs Deputy CEO, and Oszkár Vági professional consultant have expressed an opinion, thanks to which, six outstanding manufacturer-designer duos got an opportunity and support to develop a mass-producible design product.

Art Innova Kft. and Dr Norbert Vasváry-Nádor designer wanted to develop a piece of 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 the contactless nature of time-independent 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, want 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.