Size Doesn't Matter_ Design From Estonia_ 2015_ Vienna

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Estonian Design Exhibition “Size Doesn’t Matter” Publisher: Estonian Association of Designers Curator: Ilona Gurjanova Editors: Ene Läkk, Maris Andreller, Iisak Sulev Andreller, Anna-Liisa Unt Designer of “Size Doesn’t Matter” logo: Martin Lazarev Graphic design and layout: Martin and Marje Eelma (Tuumik Stuudio OÜ) Colour correction: Marje Eelma (Tuumik Stuudio OÜ) Translation: Multilingua Tõlkebüroo OÜ, Maris Andreller, Iisak Sulev Andreller, Anna-Liisa Unt Print: Aktaprint AS Paper: Galerie Art Bulk 115 g/m2 / 250 g/m2 2014

Estonian Association of Designers ESTONIAN DESIGN HOUSE Kalasadama 8, 10145 Tallinn www.edl.ee www.estoniandesignhouse.ee www.tallinndesignfestival.com

Size Doesn’t Matter ILONA GURJANOVA, curator, Estonian Association of Designers, president

There are three countries in the European Union which have a smaller population than Estonia. Even so, the density of designers in this small Baltic nation is surprisingly high. Estonia has one designer for every 800 citizens – and we have great design education.

Did you know that Estonia is home to the Minox ‘James Bond’ miniature spy camera, Skype, TransferWise, and that we also have our own satellite? Estonia puts the ‘E’ in electronic: e-government, e-elections, e-parking and even e-Christmas tree delivery services from the spruce and pine forests outside the city.

The size of the country has its advantages. A small country acts like a (night)club: it is easy to test new ideas in Estonia because we have a lot of democracy and little bureaucracy.

Because a small country cannot rely on big industry, the design sector must search for alternative solutions, methods and materials to participate in and improve the many steps from design to manufacture. Designers must combine the industrial with hand- and custommade; must blend traditional and contemporary; must hustle; must look outside itself; must find neighbours and partners with which to trade goods and ideas.

Design_estonia is a brand that unites Estonian designers actively involved in design life and exports. Design_ estonia presents a wide array of original design products from professionals and their manufacturers. In the work of Estonian designers and makers you will find northern coastal simplicity and chic, aesthetic beauty and functional quality – all brought to you with humour, user-friendliness and a mind for sustainability.

Solid Spin Ceramic Lamp by Johanna Tammsalu.

Photographer: Antonio Guzmán

Estonian design How much could a national design distinguish itself in today’s globalised society; what kind of impression does Estonian design leave to bystanders – is it an exemplary Baltic phenomenon or more like the little brother of the Nordic countries or Scandinavia? Estonian cultural identity is largely based on the sense of being part of the Finno-Ugric peoples. One of the crucial factors in preserving a unified cultural identity has been the Estonian language. Estonian designers value acquiring international experience through connections with the outside world. Estonia is grateful to its Nordic neighbours Finland and Denmark, which have helped to develop an awareness of design in Estonia. Despite the fact that designers familiarise themselves with contemporary developments and styles, a design identity will be influenced by idiosyncrasies of the cultural heritage and economy of the country. Ascetic, oriented towards basic needs and functions, a smart aesthetic, not focusing on luxury – these are the intrinsic qualities

of Estonian design. National identity has always been a political question for Estonians and that has been the driving force behind many consciously but also unconsciously launched defence mechanisms. Estonian art, especially applied art, has managed to preserve a certain detachment from politics. Nevertheless, during the occupation, creative people used every opportunity available to protest against the official ideology through renewing artistic expressions.

Many nations can brag about their internationally known art and design icons. Unfortunately, Estonia rarely finds an opportunity. But still, let us name a few: Walter Zapp, the inventor of the spy camera Minox we all know from Bond films. Zapp developed the first model in Estonia in 1934, but as he did not find a manufacturer there, he took the prototype to Riga where it was put into production a couple of years later. Architects are familiar with the name

Louis Kahn, yet the fact that he was born on Saaremaa, in Estonia, is little known. Fearing that the head of the family would be mobilised into the Russo-Japanese war, the family moved to the USA. The wellknown artist Kalev Mark Kostabi, based in the USA, also has roots in Estonia, his family emigrated during the Second World War. Estonians are especially proud of the Luther furniture company that began production in the 19th century and, due to its high quality technology and level of innovation, brought together designers from all over the world. The factory is linked to names like Alvar Aalto and Bauhaus.

The pinnacle of the factory’s production included bent plywood items and humidity-proof cardboard and plywood suitcases.

A new Estonian design was born during the 1990s.

As the country was exposed to the market economy, an understanding of design as the creator of a contemporary and high quality environment started to take root. Design education was first established in 1966 when Bruno Tomberg initiated the first programme of its kind in the country at the Estonian State Art Institute. As the word “design” was deemed too “western” at the time, the use of it was forbidden and it was replaced with “industrial art”. Today, design is taught at the Estonian Academy of Arts (EAA), two private colleges and there is also a joint programme

by EAA and Tallinn University of Technology. Various contemporary directions, such as service design and excellence in craftsmanship can be acquired at different colleges like Tartu Art College and the Viljandi Culture Academy. There are more than 2,500 designers with a higher education. More than half of them are also actively working in their field. Not many have the opportunity to work as in-house designers and the number of designer-entrepreneurs is growing. Graphic designers have the most opportunities to find work.

There are around 70 companies exporting design products and services.

Outsourcing has been a main source of income for the Estonian industry, now production has also increased, that has offered jobs for designers and they have found recognition in the area. One of the designers who has received the Red Dot award is Martin Pärn for

his table “Martin” and together with the author Martela was included in the compilation of the 200 best design products of the 20th century, published by the renowned design magazine MD. A strong tradition of furniture design has greatly impacted the furniture and lighting fixtures’ industry.

Interior design for public buildings has been a special focus for companies such as Standard, Thulema (DME Award – European Design Management Award honourble mention) and 4Room. The most wellknown furniture designers are Maile Grünberg, the Mang family, Katrin Soans, Toivo Raidmets, Taevo Gans and Anu Vainomäe. The most notable younger designers are Igor Volkov, Maria Rästa, Veiko Liis, Pavel Sidorenko, Sixten Heidmets, brands: Oot-Oot, Ruumilabor and Warm North. Some of the most successful lighting fixtures designers include Tarmo Luisk, Margus Triibmann and Tõnis Vellama. Mait Summatavet could be considered a true classic in Estonian design. The bath industry has grown into a considerable branch of production, represented by two larger companies Balteco and Aquatoriga ((DME Award – European Design Management Award honourble mention). There are also successful designers in the product development area: Villi Pogga, Aivar Habakukk and Sven Sõrmus.

The heavyweights of Estonian design include Matti Õunapuu, the founder of the first design agency and the designer of the innovative electric scooter Stigo, Tiit Liiv with his lengthy Finnish experience, Heikki Zoova, the head of the design department at EAA and Üllar Karro, designer of the solar powered scooter.

There are also products for niche markets like retro motor vehicles (Andres Uibomäe, Gabriel Verilaskja) and ergonomic bicycles from contemporary materials (Indrek Narusk). Companies offering industrial design services like Iseasi and TenTwelve are also enjoying increasing success. The only Estonian designer to be recognised within the car industry is the Germanbased Björn Koop.

With each passing year, Estonian product design is appreciated internationally more and more. It has found its way into several exhibitions, fairs and the

international market. Magazines like Elle Decoration, Dwell, Avantage, AD, Newsweek, Wallpaper, Monocle, New York Times etc and countless bloggers have published substantial articles about Estonian designers and their accomplishments.

As the local market is small and access to mass production is extremely limited, the lines of design and applied art are often blurred, which is also evident in the works of Estonian glass designers (Maie-Ann Raun, Kalli Sein, Annkris-Glass), ceramicists (Raili Keiv, Ene Raud), jewellery designers (Tanel Veenre, Anu Samarüütel, Kärt Maran, Kadri Mälk, Julia Maria Künnap, Maarja Niinemägi, Kärt Summatavet) and designers of leather goods (Stella Soomlais, Piret Loog, Kadri Kruus, Kadi Paasik). Currently, the demand for small runs of semi-handmade quality products is increasing, which is great for Estonian designers with exceptional craft skills. The waiting list for custom-made crafted wooden spectacle frames (Karl Annus) or handmade footwear (Kärt Põldmaa, Sille Sikmann, Kaspar Paas) can be several months long. These products are in demand outside the country as well and happy customers include wellknown actors as well as royalty.

The sector most involving design is the clothing and textile industry. The best known brands are Ivo Nikkolo, Monton, Xenia Joost, Lilli Jahilo, Katrin Kuldma, Aldo Järvsoo, Jaana Varkki, Marit Ilison. Kriss Soonik and Kristian Steinberg are making waves in the UK. Reet Aus, PhD took a bold step by creating a new quality in fashion as she applied the up-cycling method to recycling and manufacturing waste and as a result, she reduced her ecological footprint to 20%, compared to regular production. Traditional textiles are being reinvented by a new generation of textile designers who are experimenting with new innovative solutions. Intelligent textiles are becoming increasingly popular. An artistically and technically high level of skill is demonstrated by textile designers who, in addition to traditional solutions, create “talking” and light conducting textiles; combine textiles with wood and concrete or old newspapers and even coffee packages – Monika Järg, Mare Kelpman, Annike Laigo, Kärt Ojavee, Elna Kaasik and Krista Leesi.

Estonia is also internationally renowned for its fondness for innovation and the extensive use of information technologies. Internet banking and m-payments (mobile payments, m-parking) are in common use in the country; also e-parliament, e-elections, e-tax board and a digital ID-card. Companies like Skype, Playtech, Transferwise and Fits Me have become known around the world. In Estonia, the internet is like a human right.

Estonian graphic arts historically also have strong roots and a distinct school of graphic design is developing, it has begun shedding the influence of Dutch design which has been prevalent due to the fact that many of the designers have studied in the Netherlands. Designers with a distinct style include Asko Künnap, Kristjan Mändmaa, Ivar Sakk, Jan Tomson, Eiko Ojala, Markko Kekishev and Indrek Sirkel.

After recent education reforms, a new generation of designers demonstrating a new way of thinking is emerging. Increasingly, the focus is on user centred communication design (Disainiosakond), typography (Anton Koovit, Mart Anderson, Kristjan Jagomägi) and user interface design (Markko Karu, Velvet).

Graphic design is primarily dominated by ad, branding and design agencies (AKU, Brandmanual, Der Tank, Identity, Tuumik).

Since the year 2000, Estonian design has been regularly introduced outside Estonia as well. “Estonian Design in Focus” was the first international exhibition of Estonian design, taking place at the Helsinki Design Museum. This was followed by invitations to Copenhagen, Berlin and the St Etienne Biennale. A collection of Estonian design has been repeatedly displayed at fairs in Paris (Maison&Objet), Frankfurt (Ambiente) and London (100% Design and Fashion Week); it has been presented in neighbouring countries such as Lithuania, Latvia and different cities in Finland, in Germany, in France, also in St Petersburg and in China and the USA. The Estonian House in Helsinki has been a partner and mediator in Finland. In Tallinn, designers have converged on Kalamaja, a district selected to be among the 20 most famous hipster neighbourhoods in the world. In 2011, the Estonian Association of Designers opened the Estonian Design House, which

Renard by Andres Uibomäe. Photographer: Juta Kübarsepp

functions as a centre of information and competence but also houses design studios, a cafe and a gallery that offers a unique display of the works of 80 Estonian designers.

Since 2006, the association of designers has organised the Design Night Festival (Disainiöö). Initially, it was conceived as a 24-hour-long festival presenting

Estonian design, now it has developed into an international event where designers from over 20 countries have shown their work. At its core, the festival programme features exhibitions, competitions, educational lectures and workshops; it also presents fashion shows, PechaKucha nights, light installations and other fascinating events.

Plaids by Mare Kelpman. Photographer: Terje Talpsepp

Design organisations: The Estonian Association of Designers (EAD). EAD brings together over 140 designers from fields like product, textile, fashion and graphic design. It promotes Estonian design in its home country as well as abroad; it initiated the development of a national design policy; together with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications and the Ministry of Culture, it participates in creating means for developing design and increasing demand and supply.

The principal funders of design in Estonia: Enterprise Estonia Cultural Endowment Ministry of Culture The City of Tallinn

EAD regularly organises educational seminars, workshops and competitions.

EAD participates in the work of larger design organisations and is a member of the board of various organisations (ICSID, BEDA, EIDD Design For All Europe, DME Award), it collaborates in projects focused on issues like inclusive design, health care design (EHDM), design management and so on. EAD also initiated the Tallinn For All project, which received the DME award; it organised the European Innovation Festival IF... in Tallinn and hosted the DME gala in 2011.

EDA presents the BRUNO product design award (as a part of the Estonian Design Awards).

Eesti Disainiauhinnad / Estonian Design Awards: BRUNO / biannually / EAD SÄSI / biannually / EDC ADC Estonia / annually The service design award / biannually / Estonian Service Industry Association

It organises the Design Night Festival (www.disainioo.ee) It established the Estonian Design House housing the Estonian design showroom and designers’ studios. (www.estoniandesignhouse.ee) www.edl.ee Estonian Design Centre (EDC) was established by: the Estonian Academy of Arts, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonian Design Institute and the Estonian Association of Designers.

It develops a suitable environment for companies to use design. It organises collaborative projects between designers and enterprises (Buldooser, Vedur); it participates in creating means for developing design. It introduces Estonian design at foreign fairs and design events.

It gives out the SÄSI young design award and organises the Estonian Design Awards event. EDC is a member of BEDA. www.disainikeskus.ee www.etdm.ee – The Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design LoovEesti

Ilona Gurjanova 2014

AAP PIHO After acquiring Bachelor degree in interior architecture in the Estonian Academy of Arts, Aap worked as an interior designer about ten years.

But then he decided to start studying again, this time in the speciality of industrial design in the Netherland’s Royal Academy of Arts. But this was not enough in his opinion. After returning to homeland, he entered the joint speciality of the Tallinn University of Technology and the Estonian Academy of Arts: Design and product development. He acquired the Master degree.

Aap started to practice furniture design years ago. In 2010, he founded the trademark Maast Furniture together with two colleagues; since 2012, he leads and develops independently the new trademark Warm North contributing to the local design and production potential. For now, there is an agreement with the one of the Europe’s most competent design marketer MONOQI that has the exclusive agency rights and sells the Warm North products in the whole world.

Happy Coat Rack Designer: Aap Piho / www.warmnorth.com

This airy and minimalist yet playful and fun coat rack was inspired by young plants emerging from the ground. Piho wanted to create something distinctly sculptural which would also be very practical and convenient to use. This rack has five rods all of different heights – something for every age. Coats and jackets can be hung on both the round head plate or the “neck”. This sculptural, timeless coat rack matches any interior from historic to contemporary; suitable for home, café or office.

Year production: 2015 / Materials: coated steel, paint finish

Multifunctional Table

ANDRES LABI Labi is an accredited interior architect having worked in the field for over 15 years. Together with his colleague Janno Roos, he started an interior architecture bureau Ruumilabor which celebrated its 11th anniversary this year.

Ruumilabor has created lots of design projects and has won several competitions, the most significant being the Estonian Pavilion at the 2010 EXPO in Shanghai. Labi has also worked as a product designer, several of his designs have been manufactured as a series of products. He is also active in Tie&Apron, a company which makes design aprons.

Tie&Apron Cooking is a hot topic these days. Whether cooking or enjoying food, one always expects a delicious and memorable experience. Tie&Apron can help turn every dinner into a delightful experience.

What is Tie&Apron? It is the ultimate stylish way to cook – an apron with a neck tie. Tie&Apron makes a wonderful gift for a person whose passion is not only cooking but also dressing tastefully. Tie&Apron represents classic Nordic design – functionality combined with a refined elegance.

ANDRES UIBOMÄE I’m educated as an industrial designer and motorcycles have always been a real passion for me. Basically all I did as a teenager was ride motorcycles and repair or rebuild them. My overwhelming passion for motorcycles and my so far unrealized creative ambitions are the reasons behind the revival of Renard. As Estonia lacked its own motorcycle industry, the only possible way for me was to simply start one.

As someone once beautifully said – four wheels move your body but two wheels move your soul.

Renard Renard believes a motorcycle should be more than just transportation. Our intention is to create something more than a bike; our goal is to create the ultimate motorcycle.

The Renard Grand Tourer is a sporty power cruiser, a symbol of individuality and power, with best-in-class handling and built with quality. The DNA of the Renard Grand Tourer is engineering intelligence – an ultra-light composite unibody, longitudinally mounted engine and components which represent the cutting edge of the motorcycle industry. The sturdy body shell, reduced rotational masses and low center of gravity mean that the Renard GT rider will enjoy total control during every maneuver. This is a surgeon’s blade on two wheels, providing you with a complete and powerful riding experience.

Producer: Renard / Year of design: 2012 / Year of production: 2015 / Photographer: Juta Kübarsepp

ANNE-LIIS LEHT and KRISTI RINGKJOB

Dish EGG Designers: Anne-Liis Leht and Kristi Ringkjob / www.ak-glass.ee

For the designers, the normal process is when an idea is sketched on paper and then experimented with in material form, but the idea for “Egg” was born from within the work process. Anne-Liis Leht and Kristi Ringkjob were actually making their first experiment for a dish inspired by a colour palette and with six different coloured rings. As it was already late in the evening and they were hungry they did not have enough strength to cut out and polish six different rings from glass. And the idea occurred to them to do less: just one yellow and one larger white ring. This simple logic said that they will be ready sooner and can go home to eat. So the dish “Egg” was born. Opaque glass in different shades was used. The black glass is de-polished to highlight the dish idea in a better way; the white and the yellow glass are shiny. “Egg” is suitable for serving salads and snacks and is dishwasher-safe.

Producer: Annkris-Glass OY / Year of design: 2013 / Year of production: 2014 / Materials: glass / Techniques: fusing, sandblasting / Diameter: 27 cm / Photographer: Anne-Liis Leht, Stina Kase, Jüri Seljamaa

Anne-Liis Leht and Kristi Ringkjob (Annkris-Glass) believe that a unique item is more valuable than mass production, and therefore, their products are completed as high-quality handicraft. The principle of their work is to join functionality and aesthetics in the best possible way. Glass is a very technical and complicated material and so the realisation of every idea is a challenge. But thanks to this complicatedness, nothing is ever boring and the desire to outsmart the material and to realize all their ideas remains. And they have plenty of ideas.

Anne-Liis and Kristi studied together at the Estonian Academy of Arts and after graduation, they founded a studio together. Annkris-Glass produces several necessities and interior elements from glass; when possible, they work together with creative people from other fields in order to broaden the potential of glass even further. They have the ability to see things from a different angle and to pose questions in a new way.

MITTENS

ANNI VARM Anni Varm says, “Arts and design make the world better. I enjoy doing it. The happy little bastard that I am.”

Artist, designer, illustrator, interdisciplinary artist, mother, wife and cat owner, Anni Varm is the designer and owner of design studio Varm Country.

Her creations vary from street art to working with theatres; from illustrations to home accessories. She has graduated from Tartu Art College, has been presented in different countries at various exhibitions and other projects, done solo and has been nominated, but most importantly she still works out of curiosity about the world.

Plywood jewelry Designer: Anni Varm / www.varmcountry.com

Earrings “I’m So Foxy” We love stunning yet modest women with mysterious glow. Be wildly Beautiful, all Foxy Ladies!

Necklace “Two Faces” Women are spontaneous and lovely creatures, full of surprises. They can mysteriously “change their color”. Go for it.

Earrings “Foxy Tears” Everyone knows the feeling when you’re so happy you could cry. Happy tears. Be Happy!

Earrings „Spot on“ Sometimes we don’t need a lot, just the spot! In these accessories high tech met nature and they fell in Love.

Producer: Anni Varm / Year of design 2013–2015 / year of production 2015 / Material: Plywood, acrylic paint / Techniques; laser cutting, hand finished / Dimensions: various / Photographer: Taavi Varm

ANNIKE LAIGO

Rug FLOAT Designer: Annike Laigo / www.annikelaigo.ee

By default, the rug is a comfortable, functional, easy-to-use item. Narrowing down the broad system of rug design, Annike arrives at three basic elements: the material, the construction and the colour. All the elements drive the design decisions in their own directions. Using colour as a main theme means it is almost inevitable that patterns will be involved somehow. Patterns tend to be highly trend driven. Trends are temporary. Rugs should live longer than that. Annike works with colour in such a way that it lasts.

Float is the result of her choices – a personal act to find and define the core through the choices and all the aspects involved. Just like a painter works with a canvas, she worked with the rug Float. Delicate, watercolour-like effects combined with a sharp black line creates a charming combination of opposites in a surprising wool format. Dyed by hand with a touch of magic, each rug becomes a unique piece of art.

Producer: Annike Laigo / Year of design: 2013 / Year of production: 2013 / Materials: wool / Techniques: dyeing by hand / Dimensions: various / Photographer: Annike Laigo

Annike Laigo is a pioneer of textile design; her works have been acknowledged in both Estonia and abroad.

The studio created during the studies focuses on innovative textiles. Fame came in 2004 with the fair Maison & Object where Kivid (Stones) were first exhibited; Kivid are innovative seats because of their organic shape, they enjoyed a huge audience success and were chosen to the trend show of the next year’s fair to introduce the future trends. The French TV channel France3 used Stones in its TV series and the famous New York’s ABC Carpet & Home department store put them on sale. The wavy carpet 3D Stripe created by Annike Laigo was born in an Estonian company as a graduation work and it was so excellent that a Swede presented it a couple of years later under his own name for the famous Svensk Form design award and… was acknowledged. There is a lot of furore about the project of a luminous carpet; Laigo reached the audience in the entire world with it.

She got the most important Estonian design award Bruno 2006 for the luminous carpet and her entire creation.

On the exhibition, Laigo presents her carpet series Float created in 2013 by using the hand-tafting technology; it is special because of very aquarellic colour transmissions created in author technic which are not typical for this technology. Laigo’s style is clear and simple; there is always this certain “something” coded into her works, always fresh and surprising.

U8 ANTON KOOVIT

Zurückbleiben, bitte!

Typeface found from classically modern Berlin U-bahn line

U-bahnlinie U8 Gesundbrunnen Voltastraße Bernauer Straße Rosenthaler Platz Weinmeisterstraße Alexanderplatz Jannowitzbrücke

Neanderstraße Moritzplatz Kottbusser Tor Schönleinstraße Hermannplatz Boddinstraße Leinestraße Hermannstraße Achtung! Endstation.

Hairline Thin Light Regular Medium Bold Black + italics

U8, a geometric sans serif with seven weights Designer: Anton Koovit / www.korkork.com Koovit started U8 as a research project about the Berlin subway system signage, particularly the U8 that connects the northern borough of Reinickendorf with Neukölln to the southern part of the city through the Alexanderplatz junction. His goals were to restore a piece of history, to research the link between the DIN and Bauhaus, and to translate the lettering of individual handcrafted station signage into a formal typeface.

Apart from the regular weight upper and lower-case, glyphs such as numbers and other weights had to be created by the designer, allowing for Koovit’s contemporary interpretation. The result is an early modernist typeface, with wider proportions than most common geometric sans, a strong character and a clean design. Initially intended for display purposes, U8 has also proven to work well in many different text sizes.

Anton Koovit was born in Tallinn, Estonia in 1981. He studied graphic design at the Estonian Academy of Arts, ESAG Paris and Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam, Holland. After finishing his BA studies in 2005, Koovit continued to specialize in Type and Media (KABK) in The Hague, Holland. In 2006 he set up a design company Khork OÜ and moved to Berlin, Germany in 2007.

In 2012, together with Yassin Baggar, Koovit started the digital type foundry Fatype, with a growing library of typefaces: Adam, U8, Beausite, Aleksei, Arvo, Baton, Laplace...

ANU SAMARÜÜTEL

Cubist Jewellery Series Designer: Anu Samarüütel / www.anuworld.co.uk

Anu Samarüütel started designing jewellery after graduating with an MA from Saint Martins College of Fashion in central London. Creating jewellery gave her a sense of independence and empowerment as the whole process can be taken from start to finish by one person. “Creating this way you can make decisions and changes instantly and see the results much quicker than in a fashion collection.”

Her jewellery designs have been inspired by artists like Picasso, Ben Nicholson, Malevitch, Rodchenko and her own large scale fashion graphics and paintings. The pieces she creates are often unique using the same paints and colour palette as she has uses in her paintings. Some of her favourite materials are cork and wood, as they can be manipulated easily without specialist equipment. She sees her design practice as an extension of her art – both are interconnected and support one another. Just like Samarüütel’s paintings, her jewellery often explores the power of colour and shape in a playful and elegant way.

Producer: Anu Samarüütel / Year of design: 2011–2014 / Year of production: 2011–2014 / Materials: wood, cork, metal, acrylic paint and varnish / Techniques: some hand made details, some ready made and customised details / Dimensions: approx. 4 cm × 15 cm × 30 cm / Photographer: Anu Samarüütel

Anu Samarüütel is an artist and designer living and working between Tallinn, the capital of Estonia and East London. She is a graduate of the Women’s Wear Fashion MA at London’s Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design and the Estonian Academy of Arts.

Having studied fashion design as well as industrial and graphic design, her practice varies from painting to fashion, accessories to fabric prints and illustration.

Coming from the Nordic country of Estonia, she finds Nordic minimal aesthetics very close to her heart. Colour and clear simple lines are very important elements in her work.

Whether fashion or accessories, Anu prefers to produce one-off unique hand-made pieces or small limited artist editions. She believes that this kind of approach is more in line with her identity as a free multidisciplinary creator, rather than trying to join in the race of the fashion industry.

Anu Samarüütel’s designs are sold in boutiques in London and Copenhagen, her main outlet for the last 12 years has been the Nu Nordik boutique in Tallinn, Estonia.

Anu continues to mix her design work with art and participates in the world touring exhibition project, New Nordic Fashion Illustration. Over the last few years, her paintings have been exhibited in galleries in the UK, Finland and Estonia.

ÄLI KÄRGOJA August is founded by an Estonian designer Äli Kargoja (Studio Bercot, Paris), who after gaining experience in the ateliers of Nicolas Andreas Taralis and Maison Martin Margiela returned to her home country Estonia to go forward with her vision of designing clothes.

AUGUST Designer: Äli Kärgoja / www.studio-august.com

August is a clothing brand that combines natural materials with innovative design.

Harmony between comfort, practicality, and style is the main concept behind the design process. Construction of clean forms, refined lines, and silent expression embody these collections which are suitable for anyone appreciating elegant clothes as well as sustainability in clothing design. Of particular importance is the careful choice of materials and attention to each step of the manufacturing process. Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified fabric mills and sustainable fabric fairs are the cornerstone of her fabric sourcing.

KAI top, IVE shorts, 100 % linen, designed and produced in Estonia.

BOLD TUESDAY Bold Tuesday is a studio that creates interactive design maps. It was started by the two young Estonian designers Kairi Kuuskor and Markus Marks in 2013. Due to their original ideas and sleek style, the initially small project has growth rapidly and gained international attention. Their minimalist monochrome maps work perfectly in interior design, adding personality and allowing map owners to exhibit their adventures. One can also find different kinds of infographics and prints from Bold Tuesday’s collection. There is something for almost everyone: who hasn’t found themselves sitting behind an office desk, dreaming about exploring the world instead?

Go! World Designers: Kairi Kuuskor, Janno Nõu / www.boldtuesday.com

“Go! World” is an all-black canvas when initially opened, but as one starts peeling off the stickers of the countries they’ve visited, it’ll start revealing the world underneath the darkness. It works the same way as in life: as one travels the world, the unknown becomes known and every new country expands the mind’s ability to grasp the world.

List of Countries “List of Countries” is a visually clean infographic which shows the world from an unusual perspective, taking it apart into pieces and listing all the countries of the world side by side in the order of the size of their land area. All the 197 countries are named in English and in the local languages, which adds a strong layer of informativeness to the minimalist graphics.

List of Countries

ELMET TREIER Helmet Treier is experimenting all the time. And timber is the material that has won his heart. His friendship with timber started when he was studying manual training in the Tallinn Pedagogical Institute. He got work experience in the Netherlands and in Sweden where he was engaged in creating solutions for timber constructions. In Estonia, he has worked as a furniture designer in the company Natureld for a long time. During the last year, he was engaged in activities of the company Z-Module producing timber building modules; there he developed a new solution for building a solid wood wall easily and quickly without special tools and steel joints.

Last year, he created three innovative parquets for the parquet producer Snakefloor. He has defended four useful models and two are waiting for defending. No recent design contest passes without a new item from him.

Block Rack Designer: Elmet Treier / www.snakefloors.com

The product consists of stick-shaped coat hangers that lock and pop out with engineered precision. In the closed position the functional contents remain hidden inside the smooth wooden surface. Hanger sticks that pop out when pushed gently bring a playfulness to everyday life. Just like closing a door or turning off the light when leaving the room, the coat hanger too can be closed. The product is made from timber remnants from furniture industry, with no metal parts.

Producer: snakefloors.com / Year of design: 2008 / Year of production 2014 / Materials: solid wood / Techniques: cnc mill / Dimensions: 16 cm × 13 cm × 3.6 cm / Photographer: Elmet Treier

Parquet SNAKESKIN

EMMANUEL MESLET Manu is an experienced interior furniture and object designer who is often experimenting with new ideas thus finding functional solutions. Working hand in hand with engineers, he takes responsibility for the function of his concepts in practice.

Creative furniture COW is his interpretation of Scandinavian design – natural and fresh, combining quality with functionality. Natural oak and clean white surfaces complement each other in simple yet eye-catching forms.

COW was designed with clever practicality in mind. It helps you be yourself – manage your things exactly the way you want to. COW helps release your creativity!

Manu lived in Estonia for 10 years.

Now he is back in France and works for Gautier, one of the leaders in contemporary furniture in Europe.

Creative Furniture COW Designer: Emmanuel Meslet / Produced by: www.cultofwood.eu

COW stands for Cult Of Wood. When creating the COW furniture line, wherever it was possible to use wood, they did. COW’s timeless design and natural oak wood allow COW furniture to fit perfectly into any environment – home or work, modern or old. COW fits everywhere you do!

The core of the COW furniture line is COW Box System – it is one of a kind!

Different frames and boxes provide endless possibilities for creating smart and functional shelving, display and storage solutions at home and at work.

COW was born in Estonia, in Finnish designer Jukka Haltunen’s design studio TenTwelve. COW furniture is a good example of contemporary, fresh Nordic design, combining modern minimalism with subtle hints of retro. COW is all about wood and quality. A careful human touch is present in every COW product.

ENE RAUD

Spoons TRICK THE BIRDS Designer: Ene Raud / www.pinterest.com/raudene

The idea of the “Trick the birds” spoons was born in Saaremaa, at the edge of farm fields. The artist’s sketches of the fragile oat is the source for the form of the spoons. In Estonian folk beliefs, “trick the bird” means some food or a piece of bread eaten before leaving the house during the early spring time.

Because otherwise, the very first bird you hear will trick you. It is a kind of magic to take the piece of bread, it will neutralize the bad power of the bird.

Producer: Ene Raud / Year of design: 2010 / Year of production: 2012 / Materials: porcelain / Techniques: slip-casting / Photographer: Michaela Čejková, Ene Raud

The grandfather of Ene Raud often surprised his grandchild with bird whistles shaped from local clay. With his authenticity and inventiveness, the grandfather encouraged his grandchild to search for her own solutions. Maybe that is the reason why the grandchild became a designer now engaged in design of china dishes. Ene likes to create an original shape movement in the items which would be new and interesting from every angle of vision. She mainly uses china and clay as material.

It is material with an aboriginal power, character and memory – extremely inspiring material. The best succeeded work of Raud is “Linnupete” (Early breakfast) spoons from china which even have the aesthetics of the jewellery art world. The spoons are meant for serving snacks and spices. She modelled the first “Linnupete” spoon in 2010 during her studies in the Estonian Academy of Arts and she was more deeply involved in the project in Aalto University in Helsinki. “Linnupete” was highly acknowledged on the contest “Väike asi 2012” (Small item 2012) of the Estonian Association of Designers where it got the second prize.

EVELIN KUMMEL Ceramics is a speciality with many opportunities; the designer Evelin Kummel likes tableware and especially drinking vessels at best. Evelin Kummel has studied the history of drinking vessels for hot drinks – of cups and handles and analysed different cups by making them herself. Now, Evelin is a post-graduate of ceramics in the Estonian Academy of Arts. She believes that a simple and clear shape and functionality are important in ceramics. At the same time, the ceramics materials offer different possibilities. At the present time, she uses mainly china as the material in her works. Her most important work is the sushi set with a soy sauce jug and a base made for Black Taverna which was also nominated for the Estonian Design Awards 2012.

Bottles For Soy Sauce And Oil Designer: Evelin Kummel

In 2011, the project “Toit ja Nõu” (Food and Container) was started; the participators were the ceramics and glass art departments of the Estonian Academy of Arts and chosen catering establishments. The goal was to create containers which would be beautiful, practical and convenient at the same time but not yet present on the Estonian market. Evelin Kummel produced sushi set from china: a soy sauce bottle and a base for the restaurant Black Taverna. The bottle got a shape with a spin because of an occasion when a spin appeared on clay when the model was prepared. Thanks to the spin it is good to hold the bottle both for right-handed and left-handed persons. The soy sauce bottles of Evelin are dishes which draw people’s attention to design; it is indeed very important, on what the food is served.

Producer: Evelin Kummel / Year design: 2011 / Year production: 2011 / Materials: porcelain, glazes, bottle cap / Techniques: slip casting, electric firing / Size: 18,5 cm × 9,5 cm × 5,5 cm / Photographer: Maria Sidorenko

HELMET RAJA Helmet Raja has worked in marketing communications for almost 20 years. Educated as a graphic designer, throughout his career he has had opportunities to work in advertising, corporate communications and public relations as a consultant and product designer. In the beginning of his career he won the first Estonian international awards for advertising. In recent years, he has worked as a freelance graphic designer and entrepreneur.

HÄÄ EESTI TOIT Private Label Designer: Helmet Raja / www.helmet.ee

The gourmet boutique store “Hää Eesti Toit” (Good Estonian Food) is located in Tallinn’s Medieval Old Town alongside a main walking street. The purpose of “Hää Eesti Toit” is to introduce excellent food producers and splendid ideas.

These producers have used the best traditions alongside innovative ideas and food products in order to make Estonian cuisine richer and more varied. The “Hää Eesti Toit” private label concept was introduced in 2012 to ensure the value of the high quality products sold there.

Year of design: 2012 / Year of production: 2012 / Materials: carton, glass / Techniques: Digiprint/serigraphic / Photographer: Jaan Heinmaa

IGOR VOLKOV Igor Volkov knows how to find smart solutions and he synthesises work and flashes of thought. Everything he creates is based on such simple ideas that every designer wonders why they did not think of it themselves.

Technologically easy to realise – 2/3 design and 1/3 technology. Products with witty construction and a fresh and eager thought are always innovative and fascinating, shapes and colours are consistently aesthetically pleasing, his favourite material is plywood. Igor’s work is like a refreshing drop of water in the middle of a design desert. Igor Volkov graduated from the product design department at the Estonian Academy of Arts in 2001.

As an exchange student, he complemented his studies at the University of Art and Design Helsinki. Igor has co-operated with several Estonian and European companies. Igor Volkov currently creates his designs under the LUM trademark.

Waste Bins: ROLL Cup And ROLL Bin Designer: Igor Volkov / www.lum.ee

The ROLL paper bin is made of a single piece of birch plywood.

It provides a stylish way to dispose of waste paper. ROLL is perfect for homes and offices.

Producer: Lum Partner OÜ / Year of design: 2010 / Year of production: 2011 / Materials: natural birch aeroplane plywood, no finishing / Dimensions: height 10 cm and 30 cm / Photographer: Igor Volkov

BOW I

Bed lining set SHEEP COUNTER Designer: Ilona Gurjanova / www.leart.ee

SHEEP COUNTER is meant for the sleepless. This bed lining set has little animals to count until the morning. A natural, bacteria rejecting tencel-fabric acts like another skin – it helps regulate the body temperature and control moisture levels. The combination of these qualities is suitable for sensitive skin.

Producer: Wendre AS / Material: 55% tencel, 45% cotton / 150 × 200 cm, 50 × 60 cm / Photographer: Pelle Kalmo

ILONA GURJANOVA Graphic designer Ilona Gurjanova is a designer at the forefront of Estonian designers; she introduces Estonian design at home and around the world.

Usually, Gurjanova releases several birds at the same time. Besides leading the Association of Designers, she also generates ideas about graphic design and product development. Her series of pictograms for ceramic plates, which has caused considerable reaction both in Estonia and abroad was completed within a couple of hours during a bus ride from one town to another. The motif of counting sheep for sleeplessness used in designing her set of bed linen was born almost in the same way. The keywords are wittiness and ecological. In recent times, she has concentrated on universal design, where she is engaged in counselling and strategies. She will start to design products again when she finds an item humankind needs, which has not yet been invented.

Decorative surfaces for ceramic tiles

INDREK NARUSK

Urban Bike Riding VIKS Designer: Indrek Narusk / www.viks.cc

The catalyst for the re-invention of the Estonian cycle industry re-creates a bicycle for the modern day commuter. Every Viks is crafted by hand to individual order. Viks wasn’t created to be an attention seeker, but it still turns heads everywhere you go; whether being ridden or simply parked outside a cafe. In Estonian, “viks” means classy, gentlemanlike. At the same time, it sounds like “fixed”, as in fixed gear. This was the initial idea – a fixed gear commuter. Today it’s much more than that. The guys at Velonia Bicycles encourage customers to get involved in the process and work closely with them to create the most beautiful bike out there. The café racer’s low handlebars, stainless steel frame and unlimited ways of customization create multiple ways of making it even more unique and personal. Viks is the perfect vehicle for the conscious big city commuter. It is not only beautiful, but practical too. Viks is not for racing at 100mph, as a café racer motorbike will do, but it will take you anywhere you need with a very special flair.

Function: urban bike riding / Frameset material: stainless steel / Year of design: 2012–2013 / Year of production: 2015 / Techniques: tube bending, tube cutting, TIG welding, sanding, painting, varnishing / Size in medium (H × W × L cm): 100cm × 52cm × 172cm / Text product: urban steel commuter VIKS / Photo credits: Viks Oxide Blue – artisan werks (UK) & Viks Carbon – Jana Laigo, Barefoot Studio (EST) / Retail price for coaster brake or fixed gear complete bike: 1599 EUR (shipping and taxes excluded) / Available extras: disc brakes; rim brakes; belt drive, gears

Born in 1982 in Tallinn, Estonia. Has been drawing and engineering since learning to use a pen and play with Lego.

Riding bicycles ever since. While studying at Tallinn Technical University, he started working as a mechanical engineer for a die and tool manufacturing company. After graduating (bachelor thesis in full-suspension mountain bike frames) in 2007, Narusk soon started an engineering services company that quickly grew into the world’s largest online engineering community and marketplace today – GrabCAD (grabcad. com). After leaving GrabCAD in 2012, he dedicated himself to his company, Velonia Bicycles. Narusk has been riding and racing bicycles for over ten years, so combining his passion with work was long awaited. Velonia Bicycles’ road frame RD01 was a finalist at the Estonian design awards in 2010, as was Viks in 2014. The Viks bicycle was selected as one of the top 10 bicycle designs in 2013 by Designboom, and again in 2014 with the Viks “Anniveloversary” edition.

BBC WORLD picked Viks amongst the top 10 world’s most beautiful bicycles in 2014. Narusk has experience in the development of technical solutions and in international marketing, as well as in the field of aerodynamics and design.

Has been teaching bike frame design at the Estonian Academy of Arts.

PIRET MIKK

Ampstükk (“Piece of Bite”) Designer Piret Mikk / Inox Design Management

Ampstükk (“Piece of Bite”), as a product, belongs to the group of organic food. Typically, the packaging for an all-natural food item is often associated with rather pale and modest colours. Plain and predictable. But when taking a closer look at nature, all its rich hues, energy and brightness pops out – an expertly coordinated chaos, where the only truly transparent element is air.

This visual of nature set in motion the aim to design a package that would complement the brand, but at the same time make a statement of its own. Be noticed, whilst staying true to the concept of “Less is More” throughout the creative process. Without a doubt, the quality of the product marketed is indispensable, but ultimately it’s the package that turns heads and makes it stand out.

Thanks to the client’s bravery to break the boundaries of the mundane, it became possible to make something out of the ordinary and to show that simplicity does not have to equal dull and conventional. It can be edgy, unique and vibrant with plenty of space for some air in between.

Producer Amoor OÜ / Year of design 2013–2014 / Year of production 2014 / Materials: paper, cardboard / Technique: offset print / Photographer Kersti Niglas

Piret Mikk works on the principle that the joy of creation comes not only from doing what you love, but also from the awareness that each finalised product presents a clear meaning. This sense of purpose applies to her design aesthetic as well: listen to the client and let the dialogue formulate a concept that is then translated into a distinctive tangible form.

For her, graphical design has always been a form of storytelling, an outlet for creativity that involves sharp thinking and the most authentic form of personal touch there exists – the full commitment of the heart. Working with an ever-stimulating, national and international client base enables her to constantly face new challenges and spark original ideas.

Since her graduation from the Estonian Academy of Arts in 1994, she has been working as a graphic designer, mostly in the B2B sector. And as of 2004, she has been in charge of artistic direction in the creative duo joined under the name of Inox Design Management.

JAANUS ORGUSAAR Designer Jaanus Orgusaar is an awardwinning Estonian designer, who became famous in the early 90s as a shoe- and fashion designer. He won both international competitions and the hearts of the Estonian nation with his peculiar and unpredictable ideas that found their form in boots looking like creatures from out of space.

He turned to product design four years ago, founding his own studio Borealis. His work stands out against trends; they are autonomous and unquestioningly original. His main feature is his three-dimensional thinking. His stock-in trade is modelling 3D objects out of two-dimensional sheet materials. He models his lamps the same way he models his shoes. His mind travels on a trajectory following the path of bionic structures and patterns of the universe.

Bookshelf COMB Designer: Jaanus Orgusaar / www.jaanusorgusaar.com

The bookshelf is a flat-pack product, easy to put together, yet attractive.

It bulges from the wall like a sector of a sphere, creating a sci-fi effect in the room. Besides being an eye-catcher, it is also practical and the film-coated plywood is easy to clean.

Despite of its capacious dimensions it was possible to reduce the material thickness down to just 6mm as the structure remains still very strong.

Producer: Borealis OÜ / Year design: 2010 / Year production: 2010 / Materials: waterproof plywood 0, 65 cm / Techniques: CNC / Size: 132 cm × 132 cm × 24 cm / Photographer: Margit Lillak

ÖÖLOOM Designers: Karmen Heinmaa, Johan Kallas, Jan Plaan and Mihkel Virkus / www.ooloomstore.com

The average person sleeps about 200,000 hours during his or her lifetime – over 22 years in total. This is too much for sleep to be taken lightly! Ööloom is a face blanket (or a sleeping mask, if you will) that uses the ancient power of wild animals, because unlike humans, animals have never had any trouble sleeping. Ööloom sleeping masks are handmade in the north by a small army of lovely ladies. This makes each Ööloom as precious and unique as a snowflake on the elbow of a baffled owl.

KARMEN HEINMAA, JOHAN KALLAS, JAN PLAAN AND MIHKEL VIRKUS Ööloom was imagined and consequently brought into being by four sleepy creatives from the north (Estonia, if you want to get into specifics): Karmen Heinmaa, Johan Kallas, Jan Plaan and Mihkel Virkus. Between them, they have over 100 years of sleeping experience, which they’ve used to create something truly yawn-inspiring.

JOHANNA TAMMSALU

Solid Spin Ceramic Lamp Collection Designer: Johanna Tammsalu / www.tammadesign.com

The Solid Spin Lamp collection grew out of a series of experiments with everyday objects: shoes, reading glasses, books, mugs, jugs, forks, etc. Pictures and videos using slow shutter speeds were taken to capture these new shapes. The fuzzy results, resembling a butterfly, were frozen in time.

Johanna Tammsalu: “I was fascinated by the strength of solid shapes and with the help of a 3D programme I rotated objects around their own axis. I tested objects by themselves and also in groups where they were stacked on top of each other. This resulted in endless possibilities for solid, captivating, revolutionary shapes with soothing outer details and unique individual character.”

Producer: Tallinn Art Ceramic Factory / Year of design: 2013 / Year of production: 2014 / Materials: glazed ceramic / Techniques: ceramic molding / Dimensions: 40 cm × 38 cm × 38 cm / Photographer: Henry Mang

Johanna Tammsalu is a young designer from Tallinn, Estonia where she recently started her design company called TAMMA DESIGN. Johanna is educated from Thames Valley University in London and the Istituto Europeo di Design in Madrid. Her work has been shown in several international design fairs (Tent London, 100% Design, IMM Cologne, Milan etc.) and been featured in many publications. She was been nominated for the Estonian Young Designer award SÄSI, and the most resent selection was done by the Pure Talents Contest in Cologne. The studio is in constant search for the hidden potential of everyday objects, from high-tech climbing ropes to shoes, dishes and light bulbs. When it comes to materials, there’s always more than meets the eye. All the projects are born through an experimental design process that playfully mingles shapes, colours and textures until simplicity, style and a unique personality is achieved.

She holds a strong conviction for the importance of bringing fresh ideas and challenging new projects to small, medium producers to foster growth and artistic sustainability.

Nörk Rack

KAIRI KUUSKOR, JANNO NÕU and HARUHARU Haruharu is a young design office based in Tallinn. The founders Kairi Kuuskor and Janno Nõu studied together on an exchange year at HfG Karlsruhe in Germany, where they decided to start their own office after returning to Estonia. Today, Haruharu has three designers on board and the studio’s everyday life is divided between working on industrial design projects for start-ups, experimenting with and developing their own product line and maintaining a small fab-lab together with a group of architects.

Grown Coathanger Designers: Kairi Kuuskor, Janno Nõu / www.haruharu.ee

The grown coathangers project started out as an experiment with living design but grew into an unconventional production method. Since the branches are modelled without any steaming and only the trees’ own moisture is used, it has set seasonal limits to the process and taught the designers to work in coherence with the forest’s growth cycles. And in case you’re wondering – yes, the hangers are quite sturdy and can carry even winter coats.

Year of design: 2011 / Year of production: 2013 / Materials: common hazel (Corylus avellana), alder buckthorn (Frangula alnus), bird cherry (Prunus padus) / Technique: bending / Dimensions: 26× 42× 4 cm / Photographer: Janno Nõu

KARL ANNUS

KARL Designer: Karl Annus / www.karl.ee

Karl is a trademark of wooden spectacles by craftsman Karl Annus. His work is a combination of a significant sense of material, good craftsmanship and simple forms. The design of the frames aims at being timeless rather than following seasonal trends.

The current ready-to-wear collection contains 8 different models, but Karl also crafts unique pieces according to the wishes and features of each individual client.

Karl chooses his material according to his sustainability-oriented world view.

Various natural precious woods are used for crafting the frames and in order to underline the pure aesthetics of the material it is not coloured or toned.

Karl wooden spectacles are spectacular accessories as well as functional pieces for everyday use.

Karl’s spectacles collection received an honorable mention at the 2012 Estonian Design Awards.

Producer: Karl Disain OÜ / Year of design: 2012 / Year of production: 2014 / Materials: wood / Techniques: hand made / Dimensions: 15 cm × 15 cm × 5 cm / Photographer: Liina Soosaar

Karl Annus started his design studies at Tartu Art College in 2005 in furniture design and restoration. It was during his studies when he reached the idea of crafting wooden spectacles. He developed three custom pairs of wooden spectacles as his diploma thesis in 2010. The coverage and feedback from the final diploma exhibition guaranteed his first orders and from that point on he has employed himself as a full time craftsman of wooden spectacles. In the meantime Karl continued his studies at a joint Design & Engineering master programme of Tallinn University of Technology and Estonian Academy of Arts. He was awarded a Master of Science and Engineering and Master of Arts degree in 2014.

KÄRT MARAN Kärt Maran graduated from the Estonian Academy of Arts from the departments of Jewellery and Blacksmithing and Product Design. She works as a freelance jewellery designer, curator and exhibition designer. Maran curated the 5th Tallinn Applied Art Triennial in 2009 and has designed over 20 popular science exhibitions. Since 1998, Maran has participated in various art and design exhibitions both in Estonia and abroad.

Earrings Designer: Kärt Maran

Living in the North makes you notice light, its nuances, changes and when it is absent. Light plays an important role in this jewellery collection – the form, the whole perception of the earrings seems to change with it. In these fractured minimalist forms, the matt surface of the silver serves as a perfect reflector of light with dark black shadows.

Though large, up to 9 cm in length, these earrings are light and easy to wear.

The seemingly static earrings follow the movement of the body with ease, swaying along as you move reflecting the light around and thus constantly changing their appearance.

Producer: Kärt Maran / Year of design: 2013–2014 / Year of production: 2013– 2014 / Materials: Silver 925° / Techniques: saw-cut and soldered, handmade / Dimensions: 9 × 4,5 × 1,5 cm / Photographer: Kärt Maran, Marje Eelma

KÄRT OJAVEE Kärt is a textile designer working on several projects at the same time. At the moment, she is leading the KO! brand and at the same time is also engaged in a project called SymbiosisO. Both undertakings focus on developing innovative solutions in textile design.

While SymbiosisO concentrates on experiments and future visions offering technically more complicated and interactive solutions, KO! is a brand that aims to develop and market products. The KO! product range includes for example textiles that change in the sunlight.

Kärt graduated from the Estonian Academy of Arts with a doctoral degree and has been acknowledged with several awards.

Cushions FIRST VIEWS ON MARS Designer: Kärt Ojavee / www.k-o-i.ee

The landscapes are derived from natural surfaces, close-ups and panoramas that could also be seen on another planet – Mars. Laser cutting techniques have been used to make the woollen felted surface foldable. This makes it possible to give new forms and characteristics to any object in the interior when covered with the fabric.

Producer: KO! / Year of design: 2011–2013 / Year of production: 2012–... / Materials: 100% wool / Techniques: laser cut / Dimensions: 50 × 40 × 6 cm / Photographer: Anu Vahtra, Kärt Ojavee

KÄRT PÕLDMANN Kärt Põldmann is one of four emerging designers whose display “KAAMOS. Fashion Now: Estonia” won the main prize at the International Fashion Showcase during London Fashion Week in February 2014. Educated at Estonia’s Tartu Art College and the Estonian Academy of Arts, she approached local cobblers in 2012 to refine artisan production methods to complement her MA footwear collection. Collaborating with handicrafts has encouraged her to producing bespoke and limited edition collections. She believes that the process of crafting footwear close to her heritage is a significant aspect of her work. Every pair is individually crafted as in the old days.

She wants to bring the golden ideals to the present, combining dreamy magic and everyday reality.

Handmade Shoes MADE IN  Designer: Kärt Põldmann / www.kärtpõldmann.com

Incorporating golden age paragons with reflections on the present, Kärt Põldmann’s­footwear collection is driven by modern interpretations of another generation’s ideal. Each pair of Põldmann’s shoes are individually crafted by local shoemakers, using only the finest quality leathers from premium Italian tanneries. Working with local cobblers, she has refined a uniquely artisan production method for the creation of her collection, while her Nordic heritage continues to significantly influence her designs.

Kärt describes: “Timeless shoes are simple and quiet, yet with an expressive mood to attract. Like a twinkle in the eyes. Secretly gliding from modesty to the opposite extreme. Where a humble impression is turned into a seductive glance that moves and empowers. These shoes are made in love.”

Producer: KP Artisan OÜ / Year of design: 2014 / Year of production: 2014 / Materials: different types of leather / Techniques: handmade shoes / Dimensions: various / Photographer: Kaupo Kikkas

KÄRT SUMMATAVET PhD Kärt Summatavet has nine jobs: she is an art professor, a metal artist, a research fellow, a project manager, a curriculum manager, an entrepreneur, an expert-counsellor, a designer and an inventor. In order to work in all professions at the same time, one must live and act smartly. Maybe this was the reason why her doctoral thesis was awarded the European Union prize for innovators and female inventors for her innovative method of jewellery production. Kärt set out to produce jewellery that looked like one-off art jewellery but was produced industrially using series production. Now, Kärt uses her inventions in her company EHEsummatavet to produce jewellery and prepare experimental fashion collections. Kärt Summatavet’s work has been exhibited in galleries and museums in the USA, England, Germany, Russia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Hungary, Poland, Latvia, Slovenia, China and Korea.

TANTSIVAD PROSSID / DANCERS Designer: Kärt Summatavet / www.ehelaul.ee

The series of brooches “Tantsivad Prossid / Dancers” was inspired by archaic Estonian cultural heritage – the magical picture world of northern natural people, local rituals and folksy humour. In the modern world, we often forget our sense of humour as a source of innovation and creativeness; it gives life power and creates harmonious life experiences. Fun and dance have ancient healing powers, and with the jewellery I try to help people recall and remember this influence.

Producer: EHEsummatavet OÜ / Year of design: 2013 / Year of production: 2013 / Materials: sterling silver, black bone, white bone, acrylic / Photographer: Märt Summatavet

KASPAR PAAS In 2002, Kaspar could not find any shoes for himself in the shops, so with the advice and help of some local shoemakers, he made a pair for himself. Shoemaking became his hobby.

Kaspar practiced making the glued on rubber sole and the wooden pegged leather sole. Since he could not find the “know-how” in Estonia for how to make shoes using the traditional hand sewn welt and stitched sole, he started to look abroad. In 2007, he ended up in London and had the opportunity to do an apprenticeship with John Lobb Bootmaker at St. James’s, which lasted three and a half years. Now he is a virtuoso shoe master.

Handmade Men’s Shoes Designer: Kaspar Paas

Handmade shoes give the opportunity to reuse the upper and other components for a very long time. If the soles wear out, new ones can be stitched on.

Other parts of the shoe are easily mended, reused or replaced, thus making bespoke footwear sustainable. With age and wear the shoes will also build up their own patina and character that will clearly distinguish them from factory produced shoes.

Producer: Kaspar Paas / Year of design: 2006 / Year of production: 2009 / Materials: Leather welt, sole and heel. Textile. / Techniques: hand sewn welt, sole stitched at 11 stiches per inch, embroidery. Bevelled waist. / Photographer: Kaspar Paas

KRISTJAN URKE As Kristjan is quite a common name in Estonia Kristjans are often referred to by their surnames or nicknames – and I am no exception. I have been called Urke for as long as I can remember. I am a freelance designer in my midtwenties and currently a full-time backpacker somewhere in the world.

I have worked as an assistant designer for Estonian Television, run my own small design company and studied interior architecture and furniture design at the Estonian Academy Of Arts. I was born and raised in Tallinn in a rather poor family. I am passionate about design and travelling and my goal is to keep my life adventurous. I truly believe that simplicity is beauty and knowledge is power.

Light LEAF Designer: Kristjan Urke

This product got started in a light workshop at school led by designer Tõnis Vellama. The task was to create any kind of light using materials like dibond or aeroplane veneer and laser cutting techniques which were all new for the students. Trying to figure out a simple and pleasing shape Kristjan spent a lot of time becoming familiar with origami art and playing with paper and scissors. One thing led to another and after experimenting with several forms, materials and different manufacturing techniques, it finally turned into a product. Many proto­types later it ended up being made from aluminium, using water jet cutting and painted with car paint. Its freely bendable leaves give the lamp-shade a unique and dynamic form. Light Leaf was one of the “Noted Works” in the 2012 Bruno Design Awards.

Producer: Kristjan Urke / Year of design: 2010 / Year of production: 2013 / Materials: Aluminium, fabric cord / Techniques: Bendable form / Dimensions: 42 cm × 60 cm × 60 cm / Photographer: Rasmus Jurkatam

LIISA SOOLEPP Liisa Soolepp’s interest in knitwear design was born during her studies at Tartu Art College’s textile department, where Soolepp was charmed by the opportunity to experiment with different materials, patterns and textures.

After graduating in 2008, Soolepp has continued intensive searches in the field of knitwear design. In 2012, she established an eponymous brand, and since then Soolep has been developing her own designs, attempting to combine advantages of fine craftmanship with industrial design possibilities.

Soolepp also works as a scenographer and costume designer and has created more than 20 designs for different Estonian theatres.

Knitted coat and scarf with geometrical pattern Designer: Liisa Soolepp

Designer Liisa Soolepp has set her creative focus on knitwear, which is ageless, unique and practical. Creating this collection, she has concentrated on geometrical patterns and wishes to create ageless design, which gives the knitwear long-lasting life.

“I really like the idea of the garment as a talisman, which creates inspirational space and atmosphere around the wearer. My special interests are knitted coats, which are very practical and eye-catching in the scandinavian climate.

In my designs, I use only the highest quality light wool yarn and all the items are made in Estonia.” (Liisa Soolepp) Producer: Liisa Soolepp / Year of design: 2013 / Year of production: 2013 / Materials: 100% wool, handmade in Estonia / Techniques: 4-color jacquard knit / Photographer: Virge Viertek

MAARJA NIINEMÄGI

LANDSCAPES AND WATERS Jewellery Collection Designer: Maarja Niinemägi / www.gram.ee

This anodized titanium jewellery collection includes mostly earrings with some brooches and jewellery for the neck. The jewellery is inspired by the contour lines found on maps showing height above sea level and depth of water.

The workmanship is carried out by means of laser cutting and the details are riveted together using silver. The backs of the earrings can only be attached using spot welding because titanium melts at very high temperatures. The cut details are at times repetitive, but since titanium anodizing is done by hand, each piece of jewellery will be slightly different and this adds to the uniqueness of the series.

Different combinations of details add to the range of variations. Titanium is a very clean and lightweight metal. Similar to gold, natural titanium does not react with chemicals, so resistance to corrosion (including the influence of sea water, aqua regia and chlorine) is one of its most useful features. Titanium also has the highest strength to weight ratio of all metals. In its pure form it has the same strength as some steel alloys, but is 45% lighter. Therefore, largescale titanium jewellery is also light and very wearable. Through anodizing, it is possible to modify the surface layer of titanium to add more colour than with other metals. Anodizing involves the chemical oxidation of the surface of the metal using electrolysis. In the case of titanium, this occurs in an alkaline medium and its colour arises as a result of interference in the light. As the titanium oxide layer is almost transparent, the light rays falling on the surface of titanium coated with an oxide layer are reflected back from the surface of the oxide layer as well as from the metal. In this way, colour such as purple radiate at a certain angle and the metallic colour spectrum on the surface of the titanium resembles an oil patch in a puddle of rainwater.

Producer: Maarja Niinemägi / Year design: 2011 / Year production: 2013 / Material: titanium, silver / Techniques: anodizing, lazer cut / Dimensions: various / Photographer: Tiina Niinemägi

Maarja Niinemägi received her MA in Jewellery at the Estonian Academy of Arts in 2008. She has also attended the Fachhochschule Trier (Trier University of Applied Sciences) in Germany as an exchange student, where she continued later to develop her skills in engraving and designing precious stones.

Her works are highly valued and have been acquired for the collections of the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design, the art Marzee Gallery of contemporary jewellery as well as private collections in Estonia and abroad.

Maarja Niinemägi is a freelance jewellery artist; she has taken part in exhibitions since 1997 and has been a member of the Estonian Artists’ Association since 2011.

She creates small editions and also time-consuming collections of one-off items of jewellery, which have been exhibited in Estonia and abroad. Her jewellery uses abstract form and colour in space. The poetry of the work is light, the lines are considered yet ethereal, the colours self-possessed.

Very often abstract but mainly inspired from nature and people.

MAILE GRÜNBERG In Estonian interior architecture and design, Maile Grünberg is a creative person with vital and modern thinking. She is able to understand modern design directions and different styles almost instantly regardless of whether it is Pop Art, Art Deco or high-tech.

Her considerable experience in product design came from working for many years in two large furniture production companies. She primarily creates furniture for her interior design projects; most of which have become classics in Estonian interior design.

Shelf JACK Designer: Maile Grünberg / www.grünberg.ee

The shelf JACK hints at one of the author’s favourite styles, neo-pop inspired by the sixties; this is in vogue right now as retro fever is strong. The shelf from bent birch plywood is effective and acts like a sculpture in the space.

Producer: OÜ Aja Nägu / Year of design: 2011 / Year of production: 2011 / Materials: bent birch plywood / Techniques: coloured, whitened or stained, semi-mat lacquer / Size: Ø 170 cm / Photographer: Kaido Hagen

HORSE

MARE KELPMAN The mare kelpman tekstiilistuudio brand kelpman textile offers high quality interior and garment accessories.

The key words are quality and longlasting materials, limited quantities, unisex and vintage. The studio uses local European producers: all items are produced in the local regions. Textiles are woven using old-school industrial weaving machines. Scarves and blankets are mostly made of 100% wool.

Thick silk, thin linen and glowing hightech materials are also woven. Most of the items are unisex, many have a vintage touch and many are inspired by childhood. Design and colour combinations are available in limited quantities. All fabric and product designs are developed by Mare Kelpman. The owner and designer of the studio, Mare Kelpman, has been teaching as a professor for many years, she has taken part in many international exhibitions and won prestigious awards.

Woolen coat Plaids HERBAL, HARLEQUIN Designer: Mare Kelpman / www.marekelpman.eu

Woollen plaids are woven from quality yarns in small quantities using oldschool weaving machines. A minimalist use of colour and pattern characterizes the Nordic temperament. Black, white and shades of grey suit modern interiors. Green expresses a longing for spring. Plaids are exceptionally soft and lightweight.

Producer: mare kelpman tekstiilistuudio / Year design: 2012 / Year production until 2012 / Materials: wool 100% / Techniques: weaving / Size 145cm × 190cm and 80cm × 200 cm / Photographer: Terje Talpsepp

Bicycle rack TULIP FAN FAN 2

BRANCH Chandelier Designer: Margus Triibmann / www.keha3.ee

The black branch chandelier by KEHA3 mimics the organic shape of a tree’s boughs by arranging aluminum tubes into a complex composition. The whole concept of the branch chandelier is based on the profile named Wannabe, which was also developed by KEHA3. The idea is to easily construct unique and nonrecurring forms of lighting that in the end make up a luminaire family of the Wannabe profile. The Y-shaped constructional elements of the boughs can be bent and rotated into different positions. The Branch Chandelier represents functional rationality, which – in KEHA3’s opinion – is something that we comprehend in industrial aesthetics. As the world around us is in constant change, the luminaires must keep up and change with it. The former flamboyant luminaire which demonstrated wealth, power, and festivity has evolved into an object that carries a modern message of recycling (aluminium), reduction (LED, DIM) and conservancy (branch), extolling functional rationality. The LED elements with KEHA3 Wannabee profile are equipped with a mechanical dimming system, which allows one to choose suitable light intensity for creating the mood in a room. Power fittings and head controllers are located in the hanging knapsack.

The standard option has 9/5/14 elements. It is also possible to book other versions with up to 28 elements.

Producer: KEHA3 / Year of design: 2014 / Year of production: 2014 / Material: Aluminium profile

MARGUS TRIIBMANN Margus Triibmann graduated from Tallinn Technical Univeristy with a master´s degree in Civil Engineering.

Right now he is the owner of a Tallinnbased product design company KEHA3, where he is an engineer and a designer. The design office KEHA3 has two directions: to offer design services and to produce its own products for selling. All designs aim at adding functional and durable products to public space that support, create and assert local identity as this is important in our current fast-paced, superficial, increasingly plain and rushing space.

The selection of KEHA3 products vary from city furniture, interior and exterior lighting designs and street equipment to interior design elements. Every concrete developable technical solution can be used by all products of a product family and the designs can be easily adjusted to meet the customer’s wishes. The products of Triibmann are characterised by smart simplicity, playfulness and functionality. He has picked all design awards issued in Estonia.

Chair-Lighting CRANBERRY

MARIA RÄSTA

The Stool CHICK Designer: Maria Rästa / mariarasta.planet.ee

The stool Chick was created in 2008. During a practical assignment, firstyear students in the furniture department at Tartu Art College were asked to design and make a stool. At that time, Maria was enthusiastic about minimalism and her first sketches were very geometric and easy. But the instructor advised her to look for interesting forms and to produce something “weird”.

She was looking for an original form and sketched different forms and for fun she added a beak and paws to a shape. A little Chick hatched from this gesture. At first, Maria planned to make the legs from wood as well, but ultimately she decided to use metal legs. She chose precious timber – mahogany – for the beak; this added value to the product and a beautiful colour. At first, the seat was from birch. When it reached production, she chose glue-laminated birch instead of a single piece because of the risk of the timber splitting. A small edition of Chicks were also produced using a seat of birch plywood with the nice stripes from the plywood along the edge. In time, Maria has improved the production technology, while looking for better solutions. The Chick is now produced in small editions and has found owners in different European countries, the USA and also Russia. The Chick is not just a stool anymore, but rather a small decorative element used like a small dish beside a sofa, as a bedside stand, as a footrest in front of an armchair, to display flowers or just as a delightful sight. Chick also manages to make people smile and maybe remind them of something fun from their childhood.

Producer: Maria Rästa Design OÜ / Year of design: 2008 / Year of production: 2010 / Materials: glue-laminated birch, mahogany, metal / Techniques: Laser cutting, welding, sawing, turning, powder coating, gluing, varnishing / Dimensions: H 36 cm × W 41 cm × D 24 cm / Text: The stool named “Chick” is inspired by warm childhood memories. It can be used as a stool, side table or bedside stand, but in addition it has an extra function – to make you smile. / Photographer: Ahto Sooaru

Maria Rästa graduated from the Tartu Art College in the field of furniture design and furthered her studies at the Kuopio Design Academy in the field of product and interior design. Drawing and constructing was already her thing in childhood. The decision to study design emerged from her desire to create new things. One reason why she chose the area of furniture design was that Maria’s father built stools, benches and closets in their country home during the summer and that was where Maria also received her first experience in this field. At Tartu Art College, practical work was also emphasized in addition to developing creativity, both in designing and restoring. Consequently, Maria had a special interest in carpentry and her interest in making things with her own hands increased. Now, she likes to go to the workshop to construct, to finish something or to give a new face to something old. Maria uses her company Maria Rästa Design OÜ primarily to design furniture and interior elements. She likes most to create playful and enjoyable things.

MARKO ALA and JOONAS TORIM Marko and Joonas are designers who were both trained at Tartu Art College.

They have been actively involved in organising Disainiöö (Design Night) and many other design festivals, events and exhibitions. At the moment, Marko is the CEO of Oot-Oot Disain Studio, and Joonas is engaged in designing new products and developing technical solutions. They are currently cooperating on several furniture development projects. The same Oot-Oot also manages the furniture shop “Enjoy Vintage”, which deals with Scandinavian furniture from the 50s and 60s. It is a love for old things that has shaped their signature style. They both value durable quality, design functionality and good materials. They think that the durability of materials is important. A good material ages with dignity. This means that products made from good materials live with their user, only getting better with time.

Couch COSMO Designers: Marko Ala, Joonas Torim / www.oot-oot.com

In addition to tuning retro furniture, Oot-Oot also has another sphere of activity­ – Marko Ala and Joonas Torim produce furniture designed by themselves: a couch and a TV cabinet which seem to originate from the 1960s but with ergonomics suitable for the measures of today’s humans. The ergonomics of the couch was elaborated with care in order to support upper and lower back. Thanks to a greater sitting depth and in combination with a bank, the couch also suits well for enjoying oneself while watching TV. And it is also important, that the couch can be looked at from every side.

Producer: Tume Hall OÜ / Year design: 2009 / Year production: 2010 / Materials: plywood and solid wood frame; legs from solid wood (oak or walnut); HR porolone; cover textile Maya CS textile. / Measures: 154 × 90 × 60 cm / Photographer: Marko Ala

MARTIN LAZAREV, ARGO MÄNNISTE, ARTE ERMEL Martin Lazarev studied furniture design and restoring in the Tartu Art School but then switched smoothly to graphic design. In Estonia, Lazarev worked in several reputable advertising agencies as a designer and he has created a logo or company graphics for about 300 Estonian companies. But nevertheless, he is more known as a photographer.

Seven years ago, after a tourist trip to Brazil he decided to move there. Now, he works there as a graphic designer but likes to take photos in his free time.

The idea to create a nice ID card reader came into his mind during a Brazilian photo trip when it was necessary to get rid of wires. Lazarev needed help in order to realise his idea. He made some sketches and showed them to his acquaintances. Half a year passed before his friend Argo Männiste agreed to help. He became a development manager. Now, the ID card reader has become so famous that orders come from the entire world.

+iD USB Smart Card Reader Inventor: Martin Lazarev / Industrial design: Argo Männiste / www.pluss-id.com

+iD combines a modern ergonomic design with the latest technology and provides a suitable solution for demanding environments.

Carefully engineered to be the smallest device of its kind available on the market for full size (ID1) smart card readers. +iD – With its size fitting into your wallet, it’s not just about what’s possible... but rather what’s useful.

Producer: Pluss ID OÜ / Year design 2009 / Year production 2012 / Official reader for Estonian E-residency program 2015 / Materials: PC / Size 57mm [ L ] – 7.7mm [ H ] – 12.56mm [ W ] / Photographer No11

MARTIN PÜTSEP Martin has a designer’s honest authenticity that is reflected in his every word and solution. Martin’s every deed carries meaning, and he knows just the right way to give method to the madness. He is able to see the big picture, and leads Refleks’ design department with his concrete nature, calm and determined personality. Martin’s heart is driven by the smell of burning motorcycle fuel and the roar of his bike’s engine.

4 in one Designer: Martin Pütsep / www.refleks.ee

A universal tool, which combines four topics which are unavoidable for designer Tarmo Luisk: 1) product catalogue or full overview of the designer’s creations; 2) yearbook – a summary of last year’s work; 3) detailed introduction sheets for the exhibition pieces; 4) calendar 2015 or promotion material 365 days a year. A practical souvenir for friends and fans!

MARTIN SAAR Martin Saar founded ONEMANDUO in 2013 after years of travelling, studying and working around the globe. Since then, the Tallinn-based studio has been busy with various projects ranging from small accessories to larger pieces of furniture. Some recent examples include HAUS – a fine example of a private workstation – and a range of leather accessories for Tallinn Craftory.

For them, products are much more than just things in everyday life; they mean an endless stream of unlimited possibilities and are a perfect blend of art, science, technology and architecture. They aim to find the perfect balance between form and function, resulting in a long lasting solution that realises the needs which manufacturers seek and people want.

With great verve, aspiration, and passion for their products, they are carrying out their vision of tomorrow’s design solutions and are therefore constantly looking for collaborators and manufacturers to bring these designs to life.

RAPIDE Designer: Martin Saar / www.onemanduo.com

Rapide is a lounge chair that mixes the forms of the golden age with contemporary functionality. Its details, inspired by a wheelbarrow, give it the ability to be comfortably moved around according to need. Rapide’s wooden legs, oversized wheels and handle convey a warm presence, making it a chair that perfectly translates from public to domestic interiors. Its swift yet inviting character offers high levels of comfort and allows for a relaxed posture. Designed by Martin Saar (ONEMANDUO) for Borg.

Shaka Designer: Mihkel Güsson

Shaka Wind Meter and Shaka Weather Station are variations of a new type of weather sensor that plugs into a smartphone or tablet and turns it into a weather-monitoring device. Shaka is a product service system where weather information is collected and can be shared. The new, crowdsourced weather network is powered by a myriad of uses ranging from wind sports to agriculture.

Having access to a smartphone’s hardware will enable the product to be smaller and cheaper for the user. Also, using a smartphone will make it possible for the user to change the program and enjoy different functions – for example, one app for a crowdsourced surfing map and another app for construction. After its launch in 2013, Shaka has been sold in more than 50 countries around the world. Unfortunately, the founders have decided not to continue with its development.

MIHKEL GÜSSON Mihkel Güsson is an Estonian industrial designer. He started his design studies at the Estonian Academy of Arts. After university, Güsson joined the Estonian Start-Up scene by creating Shaka with Raigo Raamat and Jens Kasemets.

Currently, he is an active designer at the Estonian industrial design bureau Ten Twelve.

MIHKEL MASSO Mihkel Masso MDes graduated from The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Design, dept. of industrial design, before which he studied product design and architecture at the Estonian Academy of Arts and ÉSAD Orléans (FRA).

He has worked with several Estonian companies creating innovative industrial designs, as well as interior and experience design solutions for the clubs Hoov, Hetk and the pop-up club Välk.

In his work he focuses on the balance and harmony between practical functions and substantiated aesthetics, believing that the most important value of a product is the experience the product offers to the user and environment.

HUUM DROP Designer: Mihkel Masso / www.mihkelmasso.com

The HUUM DROP sauna heater delivers a unique sauna experience built on thousand-year old traditions combined with modern technologies and contemporary Nordic design.

The heater has an innovative constructive concept – an electrical sauna heater gives steam as pleasant and long-lasting as wood-burning heaters. There are less metal parts and additional room for stones – this heater accommodates 55 kg of stones, instead of normal 20–30 kg.

The aesthetic solution and oval form are inspired by the pleasant and soft experience that the sauna provides. This shape also provides the most optimal constructive solution – a metal frame resembles a human rib-cage or a person’s arms holding stones. The heater can be controlled via a smart-phone application – the user can turn it on when coming home from work or skiing etc.

Producer: Huum OÜ / Year of design: 2011 / Production: 2012-… / Materials: Bent stainless steel rods, sheets / Dimensions: 350x350x600mm / Photo: VASTAVALT VALIKULE

MONIKA JÄRG

Collection COWBERRY Designer: Monika Järg / www.tekstiilruumis.ee

Cowberry is floor carpet from pure wool, inspired by forests and moors in the autumn, the closely observed various details, specially fresh cowberries, found there. As the tufted soft surface provides a backround for felted balls the carpet combines possibilities of different technologies. The result is a structure which should be felt and touched in order to understand the nature of the carpet. Felt balls form a pattern and massage your toes. The carpet can be ordered in different designs, shapes, color variations and dimensions. Custom solutions are also available. As the wool is naturally fireproof, the carpet is also qualified to be used in public spaces. Due the combination of materials and structure the product, placed on the wall, offers a sound damping effect.

Producer: OÜ Tekstiil Ruumis / Year design: 2012 / Year production: 2014 / Materials: 100% wool and woolen felt / Techniques: handtufted / Size: 160 × 220 × 3 cm / Photographer: Juta Kübarsepp

The work of Monika Järg is characterized by a northern coolness and minimalist signature style inspired by the Estonian landscape. The designer combines unexpected materials (silk and concrete, wool and concrete, timber and wool) and working methods.

Monika graduated with an MA in textile design from the Estonian Academy of Arts and founded her own studio Tekstiil Ruumis (Textile in Space).

Monika invents and produces interior textiles using natural materials and valuable technologies. She connects the masterful handicraft skills with the present day. Järg is a design manager at one of Estonia’s largest carpet companies. She has also lectured students and given guest lectures abroad.

Monika is active in professional associations – she likes to be there when new ideas emerge and begin to work. She is a founder member of the Estonian Design House.

WOODEN LACE

PIRET LOOG Piret Loog studied leather design at the Estonian Academy of Arts. She has taken several professional training courses, including courses in footwear design and technology.

Piret Loog has worked as a teacher of bag and footwear design in the Department of Leather Art and also in the Department of Fashion Design at the Estonian Academy of Arts. Also, she has worked as a footwear designer in footwear industry.

Leather Handbag Designer: Piret Loog / piretloog.wix.com/bags

Piret Loog is developing her own leather accessories brand. She designs leather bags for everyday use. The bags are timeless in style and have a highly simplistic form. She tries to achieve a balance between function, clear style and the beauty of leather as a material. The models are universal and not designed for specific seasons. Her products are made of high-quality leather and are mostly available in black. These limited edition bags are handcrafted in Estonia. Piret’s collections are on sale in Estonia and Finland.

Producer: E. Tolmats OÜ / Year of design: 2013, 2014 / Year of production: 2014 / Materials: Black calfskin, zip closure, waterproof nylon lining / Techniques: Handmade items / Dimensions: 30 × 40 × 14 cm; 30 × 40 × 15 cm / Photographer: Piret Loog, Maiken Staak

RAILI KEIV

Service PORTSELAN KOHTUB BETOONIGA (China Meets Concrete) Designer: Raili Keiv / railikeiv.genresis.com

“Portselan kohtub betooniga” (China meets concrete) is the story of the birth of a coffee service. Keiv came to create the service through her bachelor studies in the ceramics department at the Estonian Academy of Arts and through her master studies in product design. The creative inspiration for combining concrete and china originated from Tallinn’s café interiors from 1955–1970, the aesthetics of which were based on using a lot of concrete.

From the idea to unite concrete and china, two different series emerged: a coffeepot with a concrete handle and a cup and experimental concrete trays where Keiv used old china dishes.

Producer: Raili Keiv / Year of design: 2013 / Year of production: 2013 / Materials: concrete and old china dishes / Techniques: china casting / Photographer: Raili Keiv

Raili Keiv is exceptionally steady when moving towards a goal. Let’s take the story of the birth of “China meets concrete” for example. In the shaping studio in the design department at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, the prototype for Raili’s coffee service was born. Raili sent photographs of it to Italy to enter the “Trieste Contemporana” competition. Soon, an answer arrived that the concrete plates had been chosen for the exhibition with a Special Mention. After creating a prototype, the phase of product development followed; mostly, this took place in Berlin, at the Kahla china factory, where the student attended practical training a couple of years ago, and Keiv was also invited to work there for a while to help prepare for the Ambiente fair. In order to obtain feedback, the designer introduced the service “Concrete meets china” in Frankfurt at the exhibition of the Ambiente fair; she had been invited to exhibit in “Talents”, which is a special section of the fair for young designers.

The service attracted attention and curiosity, and the German journal Deco Home honoured the new product with the Deco Home Award. News soon also spread to design blogs and journals around the world.

REET AUS PhD

UPMADE Reet Aus has developed an upcycling method that involves complete lifecycle analysis (LCA) of the garments. Each piece in the collection reduces water usage by an average of 80% and creates 85% less CO2 emissions.

This Collection is produced at one of the biggest garment manufacturers in Bangladesh, Beximco. Reet Aus’ 5th mass-produced upcycled collection for women and men is made entirely of production leftovers. Most mass-production manufacturers are left with an average of 18% of pre-consumer textile waste that usually is taken to landfill or burned. Reet Aus’ method enables circulating these leftover materials back to the production inside the same factory. It is inspiring to design with the set limitations regarding the left­ over fabric colours, patterns and sizes. The designs have a lot of cut-through patterns as most of the leftovers are small in size; bigger parts come from roll-ends. The production line performing Reet Aus upcycling method was Upmade, certified in December 2014 by the Stockholm Environment Institute – Tallinn Centre.

Reet Aus’ collection’s concept aims to provide essential items of clothing that can be worn through different seasons. The looks are clean, simple and the designs very wearable. Each collection is updated with a few new additional styles that can be matched with the ongoing designs.

Reet Aus has won many local and international awards, the latest being listed as one of the Top 20 Women in Business in Northern Europe by the Nordic Business Report.

Designer Reet Aus is the first Estonian fashion doctor. In her research, she created the basis for valuing recycling in design and a production model that makes it possible to create fashion with minimal environmental impact.

In Bangladesh, Reet used this method in the largest textile and clothing factory, Beximco, where she used production leftovers from big industry to create new designs – as a result, 88% of the water and 92% of the energy was saved. From the production leftovers at Beximo, a collection was created which is being successfully sold in Europe and from next season also in America.

Reet Aus has created a school and was the founder of the movement Trash to Trend. Aus has worked as costume artist for dozens of theatre productions and several films. She is the instigator of many local fashion shows and has also participated in international fashion events.

SILLE SIKMANN Sille Sikmann is a footwear and accessory designer who graduated from Tartu Art College in leather design and she furthered her studies as an exchange student at the Hämeenlinna vocational school in Finland and with the designer Anna Zaboeva in Budapest, Hungary.

Sille has created the trademark Scheckmann, which is already a known in Estonia in spite of its novelty. It is a brand making men’s footwear and accessories as handicraft. Sikmann’s footwear was nominated for the Estonian Design Awards 2012 in two categories: SÄSI young designer and Bruno design project and was singled out as a Bruno design project.

Bespoke Shoes Designer: Sille Sikmann / www.scheckmann.com

Bespoke shoes and handmade accessories from the Scheckmann brand for men. Since she became aware of the moderate choice of models for men in shoe stores, she conducted a market survey to research footwear preferences among Nordic men. It became evident that men would like an exclusive and original niche brand that offers a wide choice of colours, are more comfortable and make them feel special.

Producer: Scheckmann / Year of design: 2014 / Year of production: 2014 / Materials: Leather Upper, Leather Lining, Leather Sole, Textile (Cotton), Rubber Sole, Zipper. / Techniques: Handmade / Size: 45 / Photographer: Sigrid Kuusk

RÜÜ The leather designer Soomlais started her way as a designer at Tartu Art College where she obtained most of her technical skills. But her design-based thinking came from the design department at the Estonian Academy of Arts.

The impulse to create her own company came from her MA thesis in which market research showed what people need. Soomlais started with unique design but in addition she wanted to have her own products that could be produced in series.

Laptop Case RÜPERÜÜ Designers: Stella Soomlais, Toomas Thetloff / www.ruuworks.com

The full grain leather case has been designed with Apple laptops in mind, to provide maximum protection with minimal dimensions. The bag enables volume adjustments by utilizing the elasticity of neoprene used on one of its sides. This way the mouse and the charger can be easily brought along without compromising the esthetic essence of the case.

Inside the bag there is a laptop safety pouch, lined with a shock absorbing material called Poron XRD. The latter protects the laptop in case of a bump or a fall – the open micro-pores of the material absorb and dissipate impact energy, the long lasting memory of the material means the case will return to its form after a fall.

The laptop case is intended for those who wish to protect their Apple laptop for transportation while keeping things nice and compact.

Producer: RÜÜ OÜ / Year design: 2013 / Year production: 2014 / Materials: leather, Poron XRD, spring steel, neoprene / Techniques: leather molding, sewing, composite materials / Size: 38,5× 27,5 × 4 cm / Photographer: Renee Altrov

Toomas Thetloff’s overnight success started in the second half of the last decade when he rose into view in the Estonian art world with his creations where both text and intentional errors played an important role. As an artist who studied photography at Tartu Art College and psychology at the University of Tartu, he creates works that make people to talk. Now Thetloff has stepped into the hot design room and is dedicating himself to being a producer of laptop bags.

At Fashion Access Hong Kong, the laptop bag was marked out as the best city fashion bag.

STELLA SOOMLAIS Stella Soomlais is a young leather and accesories designer from the wave of fresh new craftsmen and fashion designers who have emerged over the last few years in Estonia. Since starting her own studio in 2011, Stella has quickly built a distinct brand – she tailors unique bags for customers with specific requests. In addition, a collection of weekend bags, handbags, wallets, credit card holders and armlets are meant for those who prefer readymade accessories.

NICK RAWCLIFFE

Chess Set Designers: Stella Soomlais (EST), Nick Rawcliffe (UK) / www.rawstudio.co.uk

Even those who find the remotest idea of the game of Chess incredibly boring could not fail to be intrigued by the design of this set. Combining the circular interpretations of the knights and rooks into a neat tube is a puzzle in itself.

The luxurious touch of the natural leather and the harsh feel of precisely cut steel are a joy to the tactile senses.

Even though this set is designed for travelling, its timeless aesthetic deserves to be constantly on show in any home, on Earth or Tattoine.

Producer: Artisana OÜ, Rawstudio Ltd / Year of design: 2013 / Year of production: 2014 / Materials: steel, leather / Techniques: laser cutting, sewing / Dimensions: 40 × 40 cm / Photographer: Nick Rawcliffe

Nick Rawcliffe is the founder of Rawstudio whose rich training has included time at the Royal College of Art and the Bauhaus and work in Japan on top of his first engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bristol Uni. Rawstudio is about creating something different, products which have a reason and have been approached from a fresh angle. Elegance is evident throughout the range but Rawstudio products all have something hidden that, when discovered, offer that extra slice of satisfaction. It may be the way they are designed or engineered, a hidden functionality or a narrative behind the design.

Sustainable production is key to Rawstudio’s designs.

STELLA SOOMLAIS Stella Soomlais is a young leather and accessories designer from the wave of fresh new craftsmen and fashion designers who have emerged over the last few years in Estonia. Since starting her own studio in 2011, Stella has quickly built a distinct brand – she tailors unique bags for customers with specific requests. In addition, her collection of weekend bags, handbags, wallets, credit card holders and armlets are meant for those who prefer readymade accessories.

Tote bag Designer: Stella Soomlais / www.stellasoomlais.com

Stella Soomlais’ tote bag combines functionality with minimalistic aesthetics.

It’s designed with high quality materials in mind and in a way that details (e.g. handles and pockets) could be easily refreshed or changed when they become worn out or the person would like something different in function or decor. When the bag has lived its life for the owner, the material can be reused for a new product as quality leather ages beautifully and becomes even more original in time. Due to smart blueprinting and material selection all of this is possible with minimal loss of resources.

Weekend Bag Designer: Stella Soomlais

TALKEN DESIGN Talken Design began tackling the capricious material of birch plywood in 2014 by crafting round-formed shelves.

The pure form and clean lines of the pieces enable combining them with other furniture in various interiors. The shelves are 100% hand made, fusing the popular materials of birch plywood and naturally tanned leather.

Their signature items are circular freestanding shelves Piggy small and Piggy large that have been acknowledged both in Estonia and abroad.

The shelf is available in two sizes: 41 cm in diameter, 20 cm in depth and 58 cm in diameter, 25 cm in depth.

Additional dividers supplemented to the Piggy large add to the result. Piggy is a multifunctional and stylish interior accessory!

Piggy Piggy is a multifunctional and stylish interior accessory that can be used for various purposes, e.g. as a basket for firewood, for stacking newspapers or plaids. It is also an elegant wine bottle holder.

Dimensions: S Ø41 cm, depth 20 cm; L Ø58 cm, depth 25 cm / Colours: natural, white, black

EIKO OJALA Eiko Ojala is a renowned illustrator and graphic designer from Tallinn, Estonia.

He works mostly digitally and draws everything by hand. Within his work process, Ojala likes to study the forms of shapes and to work closely with light and shadow. He prefers to keep his illustrations minimal and well-advised.

Ojala combines consummate craftsmanship with a healthy sprinkling of wit.

RISTO KALMRE Risto Kalmre is an art director, graphic designer and entrepreneur from Tallinn, Estonia. A graduate from Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam, Kalmre enjoys working on both commissioned and self initiated projects. Lately, he has mainly produced graphic work for his own many ventures and businesses but also creates identities and concepts for other cultural, urban, theatre, sport and culinary endeavours. Occasionally he likes to contribute with drawings.

Tallinn Bicycle Week 5th Birthday, 2015 www.tbw.ee

Tallinn Bicycle Week's 5th birthday festival campaign used paper cut-out style illustration as the visual image. The illustration reflected the main event Tour d'ÖÖ Tallinn (Tour of the Night) – a cult nighttime bicycle ride on the streets of Tallinn. The mediums included, among others, posters, bicycle spoke cards and special brewed craft beer.

TANEL VEENRE Tanel Veenre lives and works in Tallinn, Estonia. He has educated as jewellery artist (MA) in Estonian Academy of Arts (1995–2005) and Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam (1997–98).

He has shown his work since 1996, which includes jewellery, photography and fashion. Since 2012 works as a professor of Design Faculty in Estonian Academy of Arts. Veenre has exhibited his works in more than 100 solo and group exhibitions around the world. He has been giving lectures in Estonia, Scotland, Finland, Portugal, Spain, Norway, Israel and Germany. TV is represented by galleries in Sweden, USA, Turkey, Canada, Belgium, Latvia and Germany.

Jewellery FRUITS OF PARADISE Designer: Tanel Veenre / www.tanelveenre.com / www.tvjewellery.ee

The earrings collection “Paradiisiviljad” (Fruits of Paradise) grew out of the wish to find as light-weighted materials as possible and after several tries, ­Tanel Veenre found the suitable material: bobbers from balsawood. His idea was to offer heavily lush and organic shapes which would be very lightweighted thanks to the material. In the jewellery collection “Paradiidiviljad”, the special attention was given to the colour: uncompromising, powerful and dusty. There is a sweet, sour and sour-sweet taste.

Producer: Tanel Veenre / Year design: 2013 / Year production: 2014 / Materials: gemstones, balsawood, silver, cosmic dust / Size: ca 10 cm × 4 cm × 3 cm / Photographer: Tanel Veenre

TOIVO RAIDMETS In the 1970s, Raidmets was a furniture designer working in industry, but about ten years later he changed to the field of one-off design. At that time, artdesign emerged in Estonia and Toivo was a key figure in this development.

He was the one who started to radically change the rational and modern design world that had remained since the end of the war. Raidmets intrigued people with his birch-leg tables and three-legged chairs using grotesque forms and unusual materials. Raidmets was an active exhibition designer, using effective large-scale design elements.

He has also created spatial objects and engaged in city design.

In the 1990s, Raidmets changed his orientation again and went back to industrial design by founding hi own company, Toivo. The living space and metal furniture produced by Raidmets became more minimalist in accordance with the orientation of the decade. Toivo Raidmets primarily designed interiors for restaurants and night-clubs. Since 1995, he has led the department of interior architecture at the Estonian Academy of Arts, where he has developed a school based on his beliefs.

Stool TRIPOD Designer: Toivo Raidmets / www.toivoraidmets.com

A stool with a twist, where one steel leg goes through the other two, thus forming a chair in a simplest way. It is the most ingenious way of building a seat. It couldn´t get more simple. The seat pad is made from polyurethane foam and covered with naturel leather.

Producer: OÜ Toivo / Year design: 2011 / Year production: 2012 / Materials: steel pipe, natural leather / Measure: 38cm × 38cm × 44 cm / Photographer: Toivo Raidmets

Stool JOHN

TARMO LUISK Tarmo Luisk experiments between product design and art. His is a compromise between designer and artist to do a bit of everything. To make products that sell and pay off economically but also in order to stay healthy he sometimes makes one-off designs as well.

Tarmo Luisk is one of the most wellknown and most productive individuals among modern Estonian designers; he has created furniture, lamps and clocks and has also dealt with public space.

Luisk’s work is a considered compromise between detail and smartness.

He is a perfectionist in design and very critical of himself. He may even redo a sketch of an item a hundred times; it is only important that he himself is pleased with the final result. But most importantly – he believes that design has to be witty. There is always a small trick in his work. He enjoys giving witty titles to his works and so his public looks at his design work through the prism of humour. Luisk has had many solo exhibitions, participated in group exhibitions and entered competitions; he has won all the design prizes and awards on offer in Estonia.

Angry Pigs (or 1984) Angry Pigs (or 1984) is one among the many works by designer Tarmo Luisk that make any indoor space stand out. It is a witch and socket solution with a small trick. Completed in 2014.

Material: Vacuum-formed plastic / Dimensions: 30 × 30 cm

WHAT

Lamp KRAANA (Crane) The Crane lamp was developed in order to achieve a mobile and adaptable lighting solution. The design derives from the designer’s passion towards anything technical, like tools and machines. The lamp is a vivid example of how an object’s functionality (cables, frames, support, etc.) can dictate its form. The lamp was developed in cooperation with the manufacturer 4ROOM. The possibilities and restrictions of the manufacturing process demand extra attention from the designer, especially on technical details, but Luisk never forgets adding a playful element as well. This time the idea of a crane led to the birth of the Crane.

Materials: metal, fabric / Dimensions: H 30cm × 30cm × 10 cm / 4×27E

The coat hanger lamp is really unique and the usage possibilities are practically endless.

The light is energy-efficient (LED technology). It’s made of natural and long-lasting materials. The coat hanger light can also be used as a wall light.

The light is made of plywood and metal. Users can personalise the lamp with their own “lampshades” – just choose a piece of clothing from your wardrobe. The LED light which is used has been developed and made in Estonia.

Material: metal, plywood / Dimensions: 38 × 23 × 3 cm

TUUMIK

Jaak Valge – PUNASED I (Reds I) Designer: Marje Eelma / www.tuumik.ee

This is a history book about the time and people who dreamed about a world revolution in the 1920–30s. The main focus of the book is on the leading (but underground) communist and marxist intellectuals and their private correspondence.

The metallic look of the cover fabric brings to mind guns and war. Under the metal “skin” you will find red pages with photographs of the communist activists of that time. The book’s text is printed in red, inspired by the author’s manuscript (the communist regime on our planet was probably the bloodiest of all times). The book is printed on three different papers; Holmen Book white for text printed only in one color (red, of course); PopSet poppy for grayscale images for archive images; and Glossy paper for 4colour plates – reproductions of paintings and old propaganda posters. The cover is Euro­ Buckram gunmetal. The cover text is silkscreen printed with dark red.

Producer: Tuumik Stuudio OÜ / Year of design: 2014 / Materials: paper Holmen Book, cover EuroBuckram gunmetal / Techniques: 1-colour and 4-colour offset printing, sewn binding, silkscreen print on cover / Dimensions: 17 × 24 × 2,5 cm / Printer: Tallinn Book Printers / Photographer: Marje Eelma

Both Marje and Martin have more than 10 years of graphic design experience; in 2007, they founded their own company Tuumik Stuudio. Their spheres of activity include company graphics, designing books and catalogues and designing information and monumental graphics used in buildings in cooperation with architects and interior architects.

Marje enjoys projects that end up with physical results – books or catalogues for instance. She relates to a book as an architect relates to his buildings or a movie director to his films.

The design method involves keywords both in the thinking process and on paper – they help finding a form for each concept and content. A publication is constructed layer by layer, blocks of paper form multicoloured stacks, text and images cross pages as cinematic frames. The cover of the publication gives it the final touch by reflecting the main idea of the project.

Martin works mainly with pen and paper, every project begins with playing with lines and shapes. The sketches finally take form and different parts fall to their designated places. The lines begin communicating a message and the project is continued digitally by adding colours and all the rest.

TÕNIS VELLAMA

AERO Pendant Light Designer: Tõnis Vellama / www.seos.ee

A pendant light aimed at creating an intensely luminous model using two circular tubes – 22W + 40W. The form of the light is designed so that the majority of the light is aimed straight down and the rest is diffused through reflection off the ceiling. The result is an effective yet soft light. The external form of the light is soft and streamlined, inspired by automotive design. There is a Plexiglas disc between two aluminium components, which can be ordered with a wire in the same or different colour. There is also a simpler version of the light where a round energy-efficient bulb fitting an ordinary E27 socket can be used as the light source. This is well-suited to public spaces – cafes and offices – as well as for the home, such as above the dining room table.

Producer: SEOS Valgustus / Year of Design: 2011 / Year of production: 2014 / Materials: painted aluminium, plexiglas detail / Dimensions: h 25 cm, d 400 cm, standard cord 1,5 m / Photographer: Marko Ala

Graduated from the Estonian Academy of Arts as a product designer. Practiced for five years in the Danish studio Jacob Jensen Design, and another five years in Estonia for Norwegian lamp manufacturer Glamox as an in-house designer.

In 1992 made his first solo exhibition of original lamps “LIGHT.THINGS.” Under this “label” he has organized a number of curatorial exhibitions in Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Germany, inviting other Estonian designers and design students to participate. Focuses constantly on new/experimental light fixtures but also other innovations.

Today, works in his own studio SEOS Valgustus, which has realized sophisticated custom-designed light fixtures for Estonian Embassies, hotels, concert halls, including church/concert hall St. John’s in St. Petersburg. Bespoke chandeliers combined with advanced light techniques have been his constant passion. In 2013, constructed and installed unique LED chandelier for Skype office atrium in Tallinn. The production of small series of design lamps is used to balance creativity, which cannot always be fully utilised in public interiors. Lamps “Angel”, “Greta” and “Aero” have been nominated for Estonian design awards.

TRIX

VEIKO LIIS Veiko Liis has been designing products since 2002. His works encompass diffe­ rent fields of design – furniture, electronics, plastic packaging and advertising stands. Veiko studied product design at the Estonian Academy of Arts.

His works have been greatly influenced by the time he spent studying in France and as an intern in the Netherlands.

One of Veiko’s most famous works is the foldable milk jug Exopak (www. exopak.eu). The milk jug emphasises Veiko’s primary values – minimal use of material to achieve maximum effect and involving the user in the creative process. The milk jug enables people to reduce the amount of waste they produce every day and carries the message of sustainable consumption.

At the moment, Veiko is developing a new brand Jovvut (www.jovvut.com) which concentrates on furniture which is made of traditional materials and which enables the end user to develop the product further with simple and handy means.

Table “Move-O-Round”

The table “Move-O-Round” is the winner of a competition organised by the Estonian Design Centre and the House of Design Groningen. During the last two years, the project was developed further and the trademark Jovvut was created. Jovvut consists of practical and light items, the value of which increases over time. At first sight, the table resembles a large cylinder-shaped paint pot with a handle. The side is made of thin, bent plywood. Thanks to the handle, the table can be easily moved around from one end of the room to another. “Move-O-Round” encourages users to be creative in every way. Everyone can find a suitable function and place for the item. In addition, the paint pot theme refers to the general redesigning of the home.

Trademark: Jovvut / 2013 / Material: plywood, stainless steel / Photo: Kalev Tuubel

Coat hook “The Moons”

ÜLLAR KARRO Üllar Karro is an engineer, designer and technologist who is familiar with technologies and materials and has experience in sustainable production.

He started as a designer in the end of the 1980s. In the 1990s Üllar worked with the Finnish designer Ristomatti Ratia, which lead to projects all over the world.

In 2000 Üllar made a turn in his life and started designing EKO private modular houses. So far about 250 EKO modular houses are built in Estonia.

E-Roll is turning back to industrial design.

Electrical Moped E-ROLL Designer: Üllar Karro / www.karro.ee

E-ROLL is a single passenger two-wheeled small lightweight electric vehicle. The technical specifications of the moped allow navigating it along bicycle roads.

The scooter does not require a license, insurance or vehicle registration – the small moped class is essentially equivalent to a bicycle. The design does not place restrictions on clothing, it protects against dirt and can be driven in a suit or a dress.

The visual identity of E-Roll is inspired by modern retro. The goal is to achieve a timeless, simple and memorable form, which is a dominant L-shape.

The objective of creating a moped with a small axel-width led the designer to a solution where the rider’s legs are very close to the front wheel. Differing from conventional solutions the front fork and frame connection is brought to two sides of the wheel, maintaining the necessary turn radius and creating leg space. In order to improve handling, the batteries are also located low under the driver’s feet.

Producer: Atlas partners OÜ / Year of design: 2010-2014 / Materials: plastic, metal

Woods and the Sea: Estonian Design and the Virtual Frontier Contemporary designers engage every aspect of Estonian culture, from the lasting aftereffects of stern Soviet orthodoxy to whirlwind globalisation, to a wired and forward-thinking social nature, to the constants of seaside life and mushroom hunting in the deep woods. This is the landscape covered in the upcoming book Woods and the Sea: Estonian Design and the Virtual Frontier, edited by journalist and design writer Michael Dumiak and published by London-based culture imprint Black Dog. Dumiak’s narrative portrait of Estonia’s rich design fabric, with featured designers such as the sage Bruno Tomberg and fashion rebel Reet Aus, is placed in context with essays exploring both the history and future of Estonian design.

Woods and The Sea is an evocative documentary-style art book and authoritative view of a vibrant creative community.

Estonian Association of Designers Author: Michael Dumiak Publisher: Black Dog Publishing

Estonian Design House Kalasadama 8, Tallinn info@estoniandesignhouse.ee online shop_www.estoniandesignhouse.ee #estoniandesignhouse