Design Challenge 21
When we launched our first-ever Design Challenge in September, the mission was to reduce workshop waste by reimagining off-cuts as new products in our sustainable £9.99 range. We realised this was the perfect opportunity to open up the design process to collaboration. To commemorate these newest collection members, we wanted to share a little more of the stories and designers who created these amazing products, so read on to find out more…
By Sego Pla
From the designer
Design duo Sego Pla live and work between London and Copenhagen. They were inspired to create the Lozi Sunday Egg Cups to capture the feeling of '“sharing the most simple thing in life on the best day of the week.” The Sunday Egg Cups are for when “you don’t want to bother in the kitchen on a Sunday but still want to make it special for you or loved ones…the egg cup is the ultimate accessory to add a little bit of sun to your breakfast”. Designed to be an interlocking pair, the duo say it represents their desire to be reunited after having lived apart for so long.
“A few years back, Lozi saved my last-minute Christmas shopping it seemed important for me to create something that could be gifted for Christmas. We quickly started taking the direction of stackable and interlocking designs and took this concept as a starting point for our reflection. One day whilst Camille and I were reunited for a weekend, seating at E5 bakehouse equipped with pens and sketchbooks eating…well let’s say it: eggs. The idea struck our brains. The egg cup. Then, it was simply a matter of injecting a good amount of the Lozi’s identity to our design to create this piece and make it work as a pair. And there it was, a round, sculptural and cheerful egg cup that deserved no other name than the Lozi Sunday Egg Cups.”
From Lozi
In the Lozi Workshop, we tested out a number of prototypes to figure out how we could make this eye-catching design work in line with our production processes. After testing out a number of different variations, we decided to reduce the number of ‘steps’ to two, keeping the salt bowl design detail which we absolutely loved. In order to make the design compatible with our CNC milling, we also retained only the outside curves, and used a straight line internally, creating two identical halves and maintaining that all-important interlocking element that is so central to the story behind this design.
We worked with different tools and methods to find the best way to create the egg ‘bowl’ so that we could make sure any soft-boiled eggs were stable and not at risk of tipping over and losing their yolk. Designer-maker Toby used a selection of different tools and dimensions to create different finishes, and then of course we had to test it the right way - with a big Lozi team breakfast of eggs!
The final product is the perfect combination of elegance and fun, a true testament to Sego Pla’s design acumen. The pill-shaped plywood brick opens up to reveal the interlocking egg cups, which not only makes for easy storing but also encapsulate that child-like joy of surprise. But perhaps most importantly, the Sunday Egg Cups remind us to enjoy the simple pleasures in life, because they are the ones that bring the most joy.
By Oliver Martin
From the designer
Designed by product designer Oliver Martin, the Instant Frame unites craftsmanship and analogue interaction - epitome of Lozi living, and Oliver’s own design ethos.
At Lozi we love to combine cutting edge digital design technology with traditional woodworking techniques. And this is how we like to live our lives too, enjoying analogue interactions in the midst of an increasingly digitised world. Oliver’s Instant Frame utilises a manual action to allow you to slide your photo or postcard in or out, reminiscent of the motorised action of a Polaroid camera.
“I was keen to get involved with the design challenge as I love the ethos of Lozi's collections - turning what would be waste into a new product. One day when I happened to be looking through old photos and my head slowly started to put two and two together.
The product seemed to develop naturally, it seemed evident how the plywood layers should be exposed and how the iconic Lozi curves and colours could be included in the design. The more challenging part of the design was thinking about how to streamline the design and make it the most efficient to manufacture - both in regards to material and time.”
From Lozi
We tested a number of construction techniques, with the aim of figuring out how we could be the most sustainable in our use of materials. Each of these produced a slightly different shape, but we loved Oliver’s inclusion of the Lozi curve in his design and wanted to maintain that design detail in the final product. We realised that in order for the Instant Frame to be stable when standing on a shelf or table, we needed to add support to the back, and the challenge was to find out how we could make sure it supported the frame when it was used in either upright or horizontal position. Luckily Oliver’s design included the perfect piece that was cut from the centre of the frame and was just the right size to become the support.
The great thing about great design is how it can make something feel so effortless, despite all the complicated work and methodology that has gone into making it, and that is definitely the beauty of this design. The tactile quality of the system really gives the user a moment to stop and think about the image that they are putting in. The simple beauty frames more than just a picture, it contains a memory for you to enjoy.
By Ricardo Sá
From the designer
That most frustrating feeling when you’re rushing out of the door and suddenly realise you can’t locate your keys. Designer Ricardo solved this problem with the Key Place. Ricardo’s design philosophy centres around solving problems, beautifully.
Misplacing your keys is something most of us face on almost a daily basis and Ricardo’s solution to this issue was to create an interactive keyring and holder which can hang by the door so that you always know where they are. By having to consciously slot the keys into place, the action is brought to the forefront of your attention, helping you to stay organised, rather than passively throwing your keys on any surface.
"Where are my keys?" is a daily question we all ask ourselves. So [my design] intends to help people in this daily quest. Following Lozi's briefing, this is a small system product that consists in a keychain and a key holder. The product's shape and some details were carefully picked using Lozi's culture.
Using simple CNC cuts, all pieces are simple and intuitive to join with almost all 34x24 cm off-cut. An interactive game between the key holder and key chain respects the ritual of using a key on a door by inserting the locking, becoming a factor to remember where you left your keys. Finally, there is plenty more space to drop off more items of your pocket”
