Object Design 3.0
PENDRY BUILDING, NYC
WRITTEN BY RICHARD BENOIT, JUNE 2024
When Awareness Meets Design.
Sustainability in Design: A Growing Trend
I notice that the importance of sustainability in design is one of the notable differences at ICFF 2024 compared to Salone del Mobile 2024. The products presented place greater emphasis on sustainable practices and the use of ecological materials. The market is increasingly seeking products that not only combine aesthetics and functionality but are also ethically and sustainably made. For design professionals, this shift towards sustainability is not just a response to growing consumer demand but also an ethical responsibility.
This trend reflects a significant change in the expectations of consumers and design professionals towards more environmentally friendly solutions and new low-impact production methods. For example, the use of FSC-certified wood, organic textiles, and non-toxic finishes is becoming a standard rather than an exception.
Eco-Friendly Solutions and Innovative Production Methods
I particularly think of the new American company Decibel Made (exhibiting at ICFF), which combines 3D printing with recycled wood in a remarkable way, while offering innovative design. The company presents a new chair that is extremely comfortable structurally and recently introduced the possibility of covering the object with a projected textile, adding sophistication to the design and bringing it closer to more traditional designs. A new way of conceptualizing is emerging, enabling a new approach to design, the development of new materials, and certainly a new way of marketing products.
I believe that furniture manufacturing will also be transformed, as traditional construction methods will be altered. Structure will no longer be a matter of different components but will be an integral part of the design. After a brief course on the various possible materials, we now know that it is possible to print with different densities, allowing for the integration of flexibility and rigidity into different parts of the object.
NFT for furniture: The Future of E-Commerce.
I dare to imagine that, similar to NFTs, our shopping habits will change. Imagine Amazon 3.0: printing pre-designed objects by designers at home or at dedicated stations, thus reducing a part of merchandise transportation. You could print directly from home, for example, a set of dishes designed by your favorite designer, in the quantities, colors, and sizes you have customized. A new direction form for Etsy…
Certainly, the development of new materials for these printers will have a significant impact on this vision of Commerce 3.0, but we must admit that the democratization of these tools will happen faster than expected.
The future is at our doorstep...
As these sustainable practices and innovative methods continue to evolve, the future of design and commerce is at our doorstep. Embracing these changes will not only meet the growing demands for eco-friendly products but also pave the way for a more sustainable and ethically responsible industry.
