Maison&Objet Design Factory Hong Kong’s Post

Minimalist VS Maximalist: A Fusion of Modern and Malaysian Art. In the world of design, two distinct approaches often emerge, Minimalism and Maximalism. While both styles have their own strengths, their contrasts reveal deeper insights into how we approach creativity, space, and cultural influences. Minimalist Design is all about "less is more." It prioritizes simplicity, clean lines, and an uncluttered space. Modern design principles, especially in global contexts, often reflect the minimalist approach, emphasizing function over decoration. In today’s fast-paced digital world, minimalist design offers clarity, focus, and ease of interaction, making it perfect for everything from tech interfaces to corporate branding to newsroom. However, when you bring Malaysian design into the picture, you encounter a unique blend of tradition, culture, and local influences. Malaysian design is often seen as more Maximalist, filled with rich patterns, vibrant colors, and intricate details. Whether it's in architecture, textiles, or visual arts, Malaysian design celebrates diversity and opulence, influenced by various ethnic groups, such as Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous cultures. This contrast of Modern Minimalism and Malaysian Maximalism isn’t a rivalry but an opportunity for creative fusion. Think of a sleek, modern layout infused with traditional Malaysian elements, intricate batik prints in a digital UI, or minimalist white walls adorned with bold, colorful artwork that reflects Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage. As designers, we face an exciting challenge, how do we blend the best of both worlds? How can we simplify without losing the vibrancy and history that make our culture so unique? #Design #Minimalism #Maximalism #MalaysianDesign #CreativeFusion #ModernDesign #CulturalHeritage #VisualArts #Branding #DesignTrends

#URBANFABRIC / My conversation with Gallery COLLECTIONAL about showcasing Asian collectible design began when gallery founder Cristiano Baccianti and I reconnected in Milan during last year's Salone del Mobile. Cristiano showed a keen interest in Asian creative scenes and cultures, which made me realise that the term '#AsianDesign' is too convenient to encapsulate the nuances of the vast cultural diversity across Asia. And very often, 'Asian design' evokes preconceived notions or stereotypes, but my work with various Asian cultures reveals a different reality. I am eager to highlight the latest developments in these creative scenes through the works of the younger generation of creatives who have diverse cultural backgrounds yet possess an international perspective. Many have been educated in the West, worked with European or American studios, or are now based outside Asia. These designers operate in contemporary contexts, yet their own culture and outlook as a solid creative foundation radiate from their works. In this first series, the seven designers we worked with, from #China, #Japan, #Singapore and #SouthKorea, had no prior experience in the collectible design field or the gallery environment. This aspect is particularly significant to me because I value the solid foundation they all possess in their respective fields, whether it be industrial design, interior design, or furniture manufacturing. They are experts in materials, manufacturing techniques, and new technologies, and, in addition, they have a strong understanding of craftsmanship and quality. I believe that providing them with this platform to step outside of their comfort zones and offering them an opportunity to express themselves in ways not achievable through mass production and consumer markets will stimulate them to create something refreshing and exciting. All 28 pieces in the series are masterfully designed and engineered, with a unique sensibility and story behind them. Looking forward to the next chapter! 🙏 Featured designers: Kensaku Oshiro (JP) / #KuoDuo (KR) / Kwangho Lee (KR) / Mario Tsai (CN) / #StudioSwine aka #AAMurakami (JP) / #TeoYang (KR) / #TiffanyLoy (SG) / Graphic identity by Javin Mo #Milkxhake (CN) / Scent experience by #Documents (CN)

Good article on a topic that's not often written about, but I'm curious on some other factors I've thought about and heard discussed. One thought is that many of these large brands were small when they took risks on young designers, and now both those brands and designers are more established and have grown up together. More opportunities can be found by finding the small new brands that need fresh young talent, not the old established brands. The other thought I've had is simply a result of supply and demand. There seems to be way more designers than there are brands to work for. This goes not only for furniture, but industrial design as a whole. Lastly, I believe if you have a design good enough, there's always room for new opportunities, regardless of how established you are in the industry. I kind of like that its hard. I like that I have to push myself to craft the absolute best designs to even get noticed. That's how it should be. Too many designers think that it's enough to make a nice simple shape and take some pretty pictures. We should be striving to make truly amazing and clever designs that bring new ideas to the table. That's what all the current established designers did when they were young. That's what excites me about design. Would love any comments or thoughts on this topic, especially from any friends who are in this specific scene.

EMBRACING NATURAL COLORS IN MODERN DESIGN - A SOLUTION FROM VAN•HOA According to Cath Sleeman’s 2020 research on the Science Museum Group Collection, the rise of gray tones is making modern designs increasingly "monochromatic." Despite over 16,000 colors being stored in digital color systems, only a few hues are being utilized in contemporary designs. This trend stands in stark contrast to the vibrant world we live in, and could soon render modern design ‘colorless.’ As a creative studio, this challenge led the VAN•HOA team to ask: How can we bring natural colors into modern designs? Inspired by this question, we traced back natural dye colors from Vietnamese plants and were fortunate to collaborate with Nguyễn Đức Huy, the founder of clothing brand Đông Phong. Through this partnership, VAN•HOA aims to preserve the rich hues of Vietnamese natural dyes by creating a digitized color palette system, based on naturally dyed fabric samples from Đông Phong's extensive database. Digitizing the natural dye color palette is not only about preserving these vibrant hues but also about integrating these color codes into the existing digital systems. VAN•HOA hopes this project will help designers easily select and incorporate nature-inspired colors into their creations, fostering a vibrant design world that truly reflects the vividness of our lives. Know more about this project at: https://lnkd.in/gxqWBS_X #VANHOA #LocalCulture #Creative #Design #MakeinVietnam #Agency #Vietnamese #VietNam #CoCreate #CircularDesign #BrandIdentity #GraphicDesign #NaturalColors #SustainableDesign #DesignInnovation #VietnameseCulture #TraditionalCraftsmanship #CreativeStudio #ColorTheory #NaturalDyes #DesignInspiration #GreenDesign

“From the very beginning of World of Satinka, I envisioned a design line that would perfectly complement our sustainable spaces while staying true to our core values and pillars: sustainability, creativity, and well-being. Our goal is to contribute meaningfully, respecting people, the planet, and life as a whole. With each piece, we aim to transform what might have once been seen as temporary or even obsolete into something lasting and cherished—achieved through recycling, upcycling, or reimagining materials. This first collection, The Foundation, is the embodiment of WoS’s DNA: each piece crafted by hand with local, natural materials, designed with versatility in mind, and imbued with beauty, elegance, and well-being. Every detail was thoughtfully considered to create timeless designs that are functional, adaptable, and aligned with our dedication to a more mindful way of living. Naming this initial collection The Foundation represents the cornerstone of WoS Design, symbolizing the groundwork for our growth. This line is designed to evolve with our journey, welcoming future influences, encounters, and creative explorations. I aspire to build a design line that resonates with movement and life, qualities that are at the heart of Satinka—meaning ‘sacred dancer’ in Native American. It’s a vision of design not just as functional decor, but as a celebration of life’s rhythms and the harmony we can create with the world around us.” - Sylvie Meyer, Founder of WoS #TheFoundation #WorldofSatinka #NewCollection #SustainableDesign

The Brilliance of Local Artisans - 5 Reasons We Cherish The Collaboration As we continue our 25th anniversary 5x5 celebration at Xperiencemakers, this week I want to bring a spotlight to something myself and our team are truly passionate about - working with local artisans. Their talents bring irreplaceable value to our designs: 1) Sustainability - Supporting local artists and craftspeople helps sustain entire creative industries deep-rooted in cultural traditions. It's sustainability that extends far beyond material choices. 2) Think Global, Act Local - While keeping a finger on the pulse of global design trends, as well as being inspired by rich histories worldwide, by working with local artisans we are able to create something new, embodied with our unique local flavour. 3) Think Local, Act Global - As designers, we have the opportunity to introduce the world to incredibly gifted yet lesser-known local artisans and share their talents with a wider audience. 4) Unparalleled Quality - Many artisans have spent years, even generations honing their specialty crafts like metalwork and blacksmithing. This mastery brings an unmatched level of quality and richness to our designed spaces.  5) True Bespoke - Working with artisanal craftspeople allows us to collaborate on completely custom, handmade pieces designed specifically for the person, purpose, and space rather than factory-made furnishings. Partnering with local artisan communities breathes soul and authenticity into our designs. We're honoured to help keep their traditions alive while creating meaningful, one-of-a-kind spaces for our clients. #SupportingLocal #ArtisanCrafted #BespokeLuxury #DesignTraditions #SoulfulSpaces Original Video Footage: Alessandra Squarzon

The 1925 Paris Exhibition, *Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes*, was a pivotal event that introduced the world to the Art Deco style, marking the beginning of a global design movement. Although the United States did not officially participate in the exhibition, over one hundred American delegates from various design fields attended, and they were deeply influenced by what they saw. The Art Deco style, characterized by its elegant, geometric, and modern aesthetics, was spread to the U.S. through publications, museum acquisitions, and retail displays, sparking widespread enthusiasm. The Metropolitan Museum of Art was one of the first to embrace this new style, purchasing Art Deco pieces as early as 1922. This was in line with the museum's longstanding preference for high-end decorative arts. Similarly, the Museum of Modern Art also featured Art Deco furniture, such as desks and cabinets, in its collection. In New York, department stores showcased French Art Deco designs and even began producing American-made imitations using materials like wood veneer, sharkskin, and ivory. Art Deco’s rise in America was not just a matter of aesthetic preference—it was also a reflection of the country’s industrial capabilities. As a leader in mass production, the U.S. found Art Deco’s emphasis on geometric forms and precision in design particularly appealing. The style, with its clean lines and bright, polished surfaces, resonated with American aspirations for modernity and progress. It was a break from the past, offering a new, forward-looking aesthetic that aligned with America's industrial and economic growth. At the same time, Paris’s enduring reputation as the global capital of taste played a crucial role in facilitating the widespread adoption of Art Deco in America. The cosmopolitan nature of the French style, with its blend of influences from various cultures, also made it particularly adaptable and appealing to an American audience eager to establish a distinct design identity.

The Créateurs Design Awards Nominees ✨ This year’s CDA Nominees reflect a global outlook of creativity, blending tradition with innovation. From Lina Ghotmeh ‘s Hermès workshop in France, which integrates sustainability with artisanal craftsmanship, to Nacho Carbonell’s Escaping Forward in the Netherlands, showcasing imaginative sculptural designs, the awards emphasize international diversity. Projects like Maison Diez Company in Mexico City illuminate architectural spaces with vibrant narratives, while Awwal Bait at the Islamic Arts Biennale in Saudi Arabia explores themes of belonging and migration. Notable figures like Philippe Starck, Faye Toogood and Patricia Urquiola bring their visionary designs to life, celebrating creativity on a global scale. Interior design nominees span continents, including Suzhou’s Yangcheng Lake Resort in China, intertwining local heritage with luxury, and Amsterdam’s Selva Restaurant and Sonora Cocktail Bar, which evoke the lush tropics through bold, Latin American-inspired designs. In product design, India’s Imārat Series and Mexico’s Táas Collection celebrate craftsmanship through historical inspiration and innovative material use. The Excellence in Digital Art category bridges global boundaries, featuring Maxim Zhestkov’s cosmic explorations from the UK and Krista Kim’s mindfulness-inspired designs from Canada. These projects push the limits of digital mediums, showcasing their potential to inspire and connect. This year’s awards also honor compelling storytelling in photography and journalism, with nominees capturing the nuanced interplay of creativity, culture, and design. From Ghana to Ireland and beyond, these narratives highlight the universal power of design to shape and reflect our shared experiences. The awards ceremony will be streamed live on our website, providing a unique opportunity to celebrate the nominees and award recipients from anywhere in the world. For the CDA Nominees full list and more information about the 2025 Créateurs Design Awards live stream, visit our website. https://lnkd.in/gfGXN3Tn See you in Paris, January 18, 2025 #CDAnominee #createursdesignawards

Year after year, the Milan Furniture Fair stands as a cornerstone in the design world, and this year, we had the privilege of experiencing it through the eyes of our friend and collaborator, Louis Berger. Attending the Salone del Mobile Milano presents an invaluable opportunity to connect with designers, suppliers, and peers in the industry, while also cultivating new relationships and adding exciting products to our furniture collection. Hosted at the Rho Fiera fairgrounds from April 16-21, this year’s Salone Milano showcased thought-provoking and innovative furniture designs from global designers. Unlike the past editions dominated by earth tones and safe designs, this year’s fair emphasized bold aesthetics, ingenuity, and sustainability, featuring materials that are kind to our planet. Over the next few days, we will share the stunning visuals captured by Louis Berger, highlighting the spectacle of this event and why missing it means missing out on a key fixture in the design calendar if you're not in Italy in April. Documentation was conducted at the following locations and exhibits: ADI Museum - Salone Exhibitions Aesop - Form Follow Formulation Audi - Reflaction BMW - Neue Klasse Bottega Veneta - Cassina x LeCorbusier Dibbern - Showcase 2024 Emeco to Emeco - Special Exhibition Flos - New Products 2024 #design #designeducation #industrialdesign #furniture #salonedelmobile