Scan Magazine | Big Nordic Design Special | Swedish Design
Classic Scandinavian design on new products “I wanted to make use of existing Scandinavian design by producing new product categories,” says Helena Melin, founder and owner of Opto Design. By Sara Wenkel | Photos: Opto Design
Melin, who has run the flourishing company together with her husband since 2008, describes how a close relationship with the family of Tove Jansson, the author of the Moomin books, inspired them to start the company. “We found a gap in the market and applied Jansson’s designs to products for adults such as wooden trays, coasters and chopping boards. Nothing similar to the products had ever been made before, and they became an instant success.” Products of the same ilk became the core of Opto Design’s assortment and today the brand is collaborating with
several designers. All are hand-picked and approached directly by Melin. “I want the design to be Scandinavian but also internationally known, so I do a lot of research before bringing something new on board,” she says. A key element in the process of developing products is the joint effort between Melin and the designer or their representatives. “It is such fun to work closely together, and it often initiates new product solutions. Lisa Larson, for example, has created brand new patterns for Opto Design,” says Melin. It was also Lisa Larson who introduced Melin to Stig Lindberg’s design, as she kept serving food on his classic melamine kitchen ware called Blues. Opto Design has now re-launched the kitchen ware collection,
Opto Design strives to work with Swedish factories and wants to encourage Swedish craftsmanship.
which is for sale along with many other products in their webshop and at retailers all over the world. For more information, please visit: www.optodesign.se
DRY
S T UDIOS
D R Y I S A B O U T I T E M S T H AT T E L L A S T O R Y. C R E AT E D F R O M A G E N U I N E I N T E R E S T I N B E A U T I F U L S U S TA I N A B L E O B J E C T S I N P R E M I U M Q U A L I T I E S . M A D E W I T H S O U L A N D PA S S I O N .
M A D E T O L A S T.
#DRYSTUDIOS DRYTHINGS.COM | DRYCOSTUME.COM