They may not answer emails, but they’re experts in spreading happiness and bringing extra joy to the UMAGE office.
Page 12
FAKKELGÅRDEN
Where historic charm meets modern Danish design in a serene setting overlooking Flensburg Firth.
Page 16
THE PAST’S PRESENCE
Discover how UMAGE blends timeless influences with modern-day needs to create furniture and lighting designs built to last.
Page 26
UMAGE × SPECIAL MINDS
In a small workshop in northern Jutland, the UMAGE Asteria floor lamp has taken on a new story – one of resilience, craftsmanship, and second chances.
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO DINING TABLE LIGHTING
The perfect dining table lamp does more than illuminate.
DOGS OF UMAGE
They may not answer emails, but they’re experts in spreading happiness and bringing extra joy to the UMAGE office.
JOURNEY
From a forgotten lamp in a store window to FSC-certified furniture collections and a global organisation.
Where historic charm meets modern Danish design in a serene setting overlooking Flensburg Firth.
Once again we are revisiting UMAGE's sustainability journey: A path shaped by ambition, complexity, and a genuine drive for change.
Dive into the life cycle assessment of two of our biggest products to explore the environmental impact it has across its life cycle.
UMAGE introduces a carefully curated selection of new designs, each with its signature blend of functionality and style.
Discover how UMAGE blends timeless influences with modern-day needs to create furniture and lighting designs built to last. PRODUCT CARBON FOOTPRINT
Let’s
At UMAGE we make an effort for the environment, so this newspaper is printed on FSC™-certified paper to make sure the paper originates from responsibly managed forests that have been audited by an independent third party to confirm they are managed according to FSC’s rigorous social and environmental standards.
Welcome to the third issue of the UMAGE newspaper! With a focus on how design and UMAGE are shaped by the past and the present, we invite you behind the scenes of UMAGE with a story about where we’ve been, where we are now, and where we’re headed – both as a design brand and as people who value thoughtful design, lasting quality, and a work environment that leaves space for imagination.
Some things are a thing of the past, others are new – and some never change, like our flexibility and our commitment to sustainability. In this issue, we reflect on the dialogue between yesterday and today, and how that conversation continues to shape our company and our approach to design.
Catch up with CSR Coordinator Mikkel Boe Petersen on page 20, as he walks us through the latest steps in our sustainability journey. Visit Fakkelgården on page 16, where historic settings and modern design meet, or take a look at how the past has influenced some of the designs you see from UMAGE on page 26.
Design is never just about now – it’s about remembering, reimagining, and reinventing. Enjoy the read!
In a small workshop in northern Jutland, the UMAGE Asteria floor lamp has taken on a new story: one of resilience, craftsmanship, and second chances. In a collaboration that blends sustainability, creativity, and social impact, UMAGE and Special Minds, a Danish socio-economic company offering meaningful employment and supporting people on the autism spectrum or with similar challenges, have launched a limitededition collection of upcycled Asteria floor lamps. These lamps, once considered defective, are repaired, restored, and repainted at Special Minds’ workshop and given a new life. At the heart of this initiative is not just sustainability, but the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive in a meaningful workplace.
Purpose and Structure
One of the hands restoring the Asteria lamps belongs to Dennis Leander, 39, who joined Special Minds last year. Now, as a key member of the team, Dennis is responsible for restoring the lamps that stand as a testament to the power of second chances.
Dennis’s journey has been anything but straightforward. After years of physical strain, he found himself unable to continue in his previous job. Following a long period of rehabilitation and battling depression, he came across Special Minds, a place where he could both heal and contribute in a way that suited his needs. Initially, Dennis worked on a variety of tasks, but it was not until the Asteria lamp project began that he truly found his stride.
The difference in his day-to-day life has been significant. "Having a fixed workplace, clear tasks, and being responsible for my own project has made a huge difference. Even on harder days, I am motivated to show up."
His schedule now fits his capacity: three hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. "It might never be more than three hours a day for me, and that is okay," Dennis says. "I am here, I am contributing, and that feels good."
Special Minds has long championed the idea that work should be tailored to the unique abilities of its employees. While the organisation’s main department in Aarhus focuses on digital tasks, the Aalborg branch has carved out a niche in practical, physical work that suits those who find fulfilment in tangible results.
“I never imagined I would be doing something like this. But working on these lamps, with clear tasks and responsibility, has brought a sense of purpose back into my life.”
DENNIS LEANDER EMPLOYEE AT SPECIAL MINDS
ABOUT
Special mind is a Danish socio-economic company offering meaningful employment and support to people on the autism spectrum or with similar challenges.
DITTE STERN BACH, PROGRAMME LEAD AT SPECIAL MINDS AALBORG AND DENNIS LEANDER, EMPLOYEE AT SPECIAL MINDS
The Broader Impact
For Special Minds Aalborg programme lead Ditte Stern Bach, seeing Dennis’s development has been deeply rewarding.
"When Dennis started, he handled various odd jobs, but he needed more structure," Ditte explains. "After UMAGE contacted us about the lamp project, it was clear that Dennis, with his technical background and practical skills, would be a perfect fit."
Ditte highlights how projects like this are essential for Special Minds' mission. "Many of our people dream of working with IT but find it difficult to sit in front of a computer for long hours. Practical, hands-on tasks, where they can see a physical result, work much better for many."
Through initiatives like the Asteria lamp upcycling, Special Minds can offer meaningful employment and prepare participants for potential future jobs outside the organisation.
"Our work is about creating pathways to success," Ditte says. "And this partnership with UMAGE not only opens new doors for individuals who might otherwise face challenges in traditional work environments, it also shows that it is possible to design inclusive jobs without making things overly complicated. We hope it inspires other companies to do the same."
A Lamp With a Story
The limited-edition Asteria floor lamp is available as a symbol of what happens when design, sustainability, and social responsibility come together. Each lamp not only illuminates a room but also shines a light on the potential within us all.
Blending Scandinavian elegance with sustainable principles, this partnership reflects a shared commitment to both environmental and social responsibility. By refurbishing rather than producing new lamps, it reduces waste and promotes conscious consumption. At its core, the collaboration is about creating inclusive opportunities in the workforce, and the stories behind each lamp are a part of what makes the project truly meaningful.
“I am proud to be part of it. It has given me a daily rhythm again. And it has shown me, and hopefully others, that there is always a way forward, even if that path looks a little different than expected.”
DENNIS LEANDER EMPLOYEE AT SPECIAL MINDS
DINING TABLE LIGHTING
THE COMPLETE GUIDE
The perfect dining table lamp does more than illuminate – it shapes the atmosphere, enhances your space, and balances function with style. Whether you're setting the scene for intimate dinners or need a welllit space for work and study, the right lighting choice makes all the difference
PENDANT TYPES
360° Pendant: Spreads a soft, diffused glow throughout the room. With the light source hidden behind opal glass, you can hang it high without glare. Perfect for creating a warm ambience, but not ideal for reading or working.
Open Pendant: Directs light both upwards and downwards, giving you the best of both worlds – general illumination and a well-lit table. Many designs shield the bulb, so you can hang it higher without discomfort.
Downlight Pendant: Focuses light directly onto the table, making it ideal for dining spaces that double as work areas. It creates a cosy, intimate feel, but as the bulb is often exposed, the lamp should be hung lower for optimal comfort.
TOP The Chordis lampshade is a 360 pendant creating a warm ambience throughout the room.
BOTTOM The Asteria Plus lamp is an example of a downlight pendant, that gives a focused light.
The Komorebi lampshade is an open pendant that directs lifht both upwards and downwards.
HOW MANY LAMPS?
The number of lamps should complement the size and shape of your dining table:
One lamp: A single statement lamp works best for round tables or tables up to 180 cm. Choose a larger design if the space allows, creating impact without feeling overwhelming.
Multiple lamps: For tables over 180 cm, opt for a minimum of two smaller lamps, spaced 60-80 cm apart. This arrangement makes a bold expression and enhances the overall aesthetic of the room.
LAMP HEIGHT
Getting the height right is key to both function and style:
Keep Eye Contact: Your lamp should never block the view of the person sitting across from you.
360° Pendants: These can hang higher – around 70 cm or more above the table – since they distribute light evenly.
Downlight Pendants: To prevent glare, these should hang lower, ideally 60-70 cm above the table. If the bulb is shielded, you can hang the lamp higher without losing comfort.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT LIGHT SOURCE
UMAGE always recommend LED bulbs – they are energy-efficient and far from the cold, clinical light some may imagine.
Lumen = Brightness
The brightness of a light bulb is measured in lumen. For a dining space, where the focus is a great atmosphere while eating aim for a lumen of 300-800 lumen. If your dining space is also used for everyday work tasks, go for a lumen of 800-1200 lumens – even better if you can get a dimmable option, so you get the flexibility of both.
Kelvin = Temperature
The warmth of a light source is measured in Kelvin. For a cosy yet functional dining space, a light temperature of around 2700K is ideal. It creates an inviting glow perfect for both dinners and focused tasks.
With the right lighting, your dining table becomes more than just a place to eat: it transforms into a welcoming, multifunctional space where ambience and practicality go hand in hand.
Omni ceiling is a downlight pendant, providing a concentrated light downwards.
FACTORY FOCUS | POLAND
On the coast of Poland in a region known for its strong woodworking traditions, skilled craftsmen bring UMAGE’s lounge chair collections to life. With expertise in both bent plywood and solid wood, the production combines time-honoured techniques with modern precision.
With deep roots in Denmark and Danish furniture design principles, the Polish supplier carefully selects the best and highest FSC™-certified wood to ensure both beauty, durability and care for the environment.
In the creation of the A Conversation Piece and The Reader collections, traditional plywood bending methods are combined with advanced machining. Through close collaboration with in-house design engineers and carpenters, this approach guarantees a high standard of quality, accuracy, and durability. Each piece of furniture is crafted with attention to detail, resulting in designs that will transform spaces and last a lifetime.
DOGS OF UMAGE
At UMAGE, the four-legged colleagues are just as much a part of the team as the two-legged ones. From the tiny and energetic Hugo to the majestic Herman, the office dogs bring joy, companionship, and a touch of chaos to everyday work-life. Meet the furry friends who might not answer e-mails but are experts in napping under the desks and brightening our workspace.
01 Hugo, Cavalier King Charles, 8 years old – dog mom: Camilla Sustmann HR Manager at UMAGE. 02 Cira, Labrador, 12 years old – dog mom: Jamie Marie Nilsson, Supply Chain Assistant at UMAGE. 03 Hugo Pomeranian, 2 years old – dog parents: Cecilie Elisabeth Deleuran B2C coordinator & Jacob Nannestad CEO & co-founder at UMAGE. 04 Herman, Rhodesian Ridgeback, 6 years old – dog mom: Rikke Black Head
of Contract, Nordic at UMAGE. 05 Luna, Maltese, 4 years old – dog parents: Cecilie Elisabeth Deleuran B2C coordinator & Jacob Nannestad CEO & co-founder at UMAGE. 06 Fenja, Papillon and Chihuahua mutt, 9 years old – dog mom: Tine Skovgaard International Sales Director Contract at UMAGE. 07 Nala, Shih Tzu, 4 years old - dog mom: Camilla Jørgensen, E-commerce student assistant at UMAGE. 08 Savannah, Labrador, 4 years old – dog dad: Søren Ravn Christensen Chief Creative Developer & Co-founder at UMAGE. 09 Genji, Shiba Inu, 3 years old – dog mom: Sara Cramer Rasmussen Senior Graphic Designer at UMAGE.
OUR JOURNEY
From a forgotten lamp in a store window to FSC-certified furniture collections and a global organisation –founders Søren Ravn Christensen and Jacob Nannestad, sit down to reflect on UMAGE’s journey, its evolution and what lies ahead.
A Visit From The Past
For Søren Ravn Christensen, it all began in 2007. “I turned a corner and saw a lighting design I had not seen for decades – one my father had made in the seventies,” he recalls. “It reminded me there was space in the market for flat-packed lighting, but at a higher quality.” That spark led to a sketch, and eventually, a collection.
Soon after, Søren reached out to Jacob. “Søren had a handful of designs, but needed support on the business side,” Jacob says. “I joined in 2009, and we were off to a great start.” In those early days, everything was hands-on. “We visited more than 100 suppliers before we had anything ready,” he adds. “At our first fair in 2010, we landed a very first big order, and that customer is still with us today.”
From the beginning, the team shared a clear design philosophy: flat, flexible and functional. “Always,” says Søren. “From the start, the idea was to create designs that could do more with less: multifunctional, modular and with the smallest footprint possible. Our lamps and furniture have always been about adapting, whether that means using one piece in different spaces or swapping colours and parts as your needs evolve.”
Meet Wilson: the very first prototype of Eos. He marks the beginning of a new era for UMAGE and the journey the company has embarked on. Wilson still resides at UMAGE’s headquarters, serving as a daily reminder of where it all began.
FOUNDERS
OF UMAGE
SØREN RAVN CHRISTENSEN, CHIEF CREATIVE DEVELOPER AND JACOB NANNESTAD, CEO
“ When a product reaches the end of its life, you can separate it into recyclable components. We believe good design shouldn’t just look good, it should do good.”
SØREN RAVN CHRISTENSEN CHIEF CREATIVE DEVELOPER AT UMAGE
From Lighting to Design
In 2011, a surprising trend led to what would become UMAGE’s signature product. “Jacob called from London and said feathers were trending in hair salons,” Søren remembers. “It sounded odd, but it sparked something.” The result was the Eos lamp. Eye-catching, flat-packable and a turning point. “Suddenly, people saw us as a design brand, not just a lighting brand.”
As the company grew, so did its ambitions and by 2018, a name change felt necessary. “The name VITA was starting to feel too generic, too hard to own. We needed something that reflected our values more deeply.”
The new name, UMAGE, means ‘making an extra effort’ in Danish. “And that’s exactly what we do,” Jacob continues. “Whether it’s sourcing FSCcertified wood, designing for disassembly, or giving our team a four-day work week – it’s all about making that extra effort.”
With the rebrand came a new focus on furniture. “We expanded into furniture in 2018 and brought that same multifunctional mindset with us,” says Søren. “The designs weren’t just chairs or cabinets – they had builtin chargers, flexible features and interchangeable parts. It was furniture that grows with you.”
Form, Function, and Forests
Sustainability has been central to UMAGE’s evolution. “It started with flat-packing to reduce transport emissions,” Jacob says. “But we saw how much more we could do.” Since 2020, they have partnered with One Tree Planted, removed foam and plastic from all packaging, earned RDS certification for Eos feathers and launched a collection of 100 percent recycled textiles. “Now, as of 2025, we are proud to be FSC-certified.”
Scaling Up and Scaling Down
From a small Copenhagen apartment to a global company, UMAGE has grown steadily. “We started with just a few people,” Jacob recalls. “Then we moved to Kongens Nytorv, and in 2021 to our current showroom at Havnegade.” Today, the team includes 46 people from 12 nationalities, with offices in Copenhagen, New York, Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh City and Stuttgart.
That international growth has been matched by a forward-thinking internal culture. “We wanted to create a work environment that reflects our values: open, collaborative, and future-oriented,” says Søren. “In 2019, we introduced a 30-hour, four-day work week,” Søren says. “Happy, rested people are more creative, and that creativity shapes everything we do.”
Looking ahead, UMAGE remains focused on impact. “We are continuing our journey towards being B Corp certified,,” Jacob says. “It is about accountability, transparency and doing better.” On the design side, the emphasis remains on adaptability and longevity. “We are still exploring how to integrate technology and sustainability,” Søren concludes. “But more than anything, we want to keep creating designs that last: Timeless in aesthetic, adaptable in function and responsible in their impact. That’s what makes this journey worth it.”
FAKKELGÅRDEN
CONTRACT CASE
Nestled on a hill with panoramic views of Flensburg Firth, near the border to Germany, you’ll come across Fakkelgården. An elegant retreat where nature and design exist in effortless harmony. Housed in long yellow buildings crowned by a distinctive round tower, the restaurant offers a refined space for dining and relaxation. With the firth as its ever-changing backdrop and a terrace that draws guests outdoors in the warmer months, Fakkelgården invites visitors to indulge in both its culinary delights and thoughtfully curated interiors, designed in collaboration with interior architect Kira Staugaard, where traces of the past quietly remain and modern design carries them gracefully into the present.
The UMAGE Asteria Move Mini lamp graces every table at Fakkelgården, casting a warm glow on each dish and setting the tone for relaxed evenings in good company. Its portable design makes it a versatile addition, easily moved from dining tables to lounge areas. When the night winds down, the lamps are effortlessly recharged using the UMAGE charging trolley, ready to light up the next experience.
Get lost in the ever-changing backdrop of Flensburg Firth, where shifting light and passing sailboats set the scene for unforgettable moments at Fakkelgården.
In the lounge area, the Audrey pendant casts a gentle light over quiet moments, adding a touch of inviting elegance. With brass accents and mouth-blown opal glass globes, it exudes a warm, atmospheric glow that complements the soft textures and historical character of Fakkelgården.
The traditional yellow bricks are a defining feature of Fakkelgården, setting the tone for the experience from the moment you arrive.
The Treasures cabinet and Heart’n’Soul console table offer refined storage and a place to set things aside. The oak complements the historical features of the room, while the organic silhouette and fabric-covered cabinet doors add a tactile softness to the otherwise understated surroundings.
AN ESG UPDATE
In our last Issue, we revisited UMAGE’s sustainability journey: A path shaped by ambition, complexity, and a genuine drive for change. Now, as another year has passed, we catch up once more with CSR Coordinator Mikkel Boe Petersen to reflect on the progress, recent developments and how far UMAGE has come on their journey towards becoming a more responsible brand.
New Progress and The Path to B Corp
Since we last sat down, a year ago, UMAGE has made significant headway in the area of Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) calculations. “We are still deep in the process,” Mikkel explains, “and even though we are not one hundred percent finished, we are now ready with LCA calculations for many of our best-selling products”. Read more on page 22. UMAGE’s partnership with Målbar continues, and especially scope 3 remains the focus. Where Scope 1 and 2 covers emissions from sources that UMAGE owns or control directly as well as emission that they cause indirectly, scope 3 covers the indirect footprint from the supply chain: “These insights are a crucial part of making informed decisions and tracking our progress,” Mikkel explains.
Last year, UMAGE also expressed a strong commitment to achieving B Corp certification. Since then, the official application has been submitted and is now deep in the verification stage. “There’s not much else to do at this point but wait,” Mikkel says with a smile. “We’ve completed the evaluation, and now the B Corp team is reviewing our documentation. It’s a dialogue back and forth, and we expect to have a final decision before the end of this year. It’s out of our hands for now, but we’re optimistic.”
Raising The Bar
UMAGE has introduced a new Code of Conduct for suppliers. “This is a key tool for us,” explains Mikkel. “It helps us identify the right partners when sourcing new suppliers and sets clear requirements for those we already work with.”
On the certification front, UMAGE has recently celebrated a major milestone: an FSC certification. “This strengthens our sustainability profile and supports compliance with new regulations like EUDR ,” Mikkel says. EUDR stands for EU Deforestation Regulative. “While not all our wooden products are FSC-certified yet, we’re steadily rolling this out across our furniture and lighting collections.”
MIKKEL BOE PETERSEN CSR COORDINATOR, UMAGE
Adapting to a Shifting Landscape
The future of sustainability at UMAGE and everywhere else is shaped by both ambition and uncertainty. EU rules like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) may ease reporting requirements, a setback for the green transition, Mikkel notes. “But at UMAGE, we’re determined to stay ahead,” says Mikkel. “Even if the rules soften, we aim to keep going forward at the same speed as before.”
To keep pace, Mikkel and the UMAGE team regularly attend courses, seminars, and workshops on ESG. “Continuous learning is essential. It helps us navigate the complexities and push our sustainability efforts further. ESG is a moving target. Regulations, expectations, and standards keep evolving. Our work demands flexibility, constant learning, and transparency. We want to be honest about where we stand, where we’re going, and the challenges we face,” Mikkel explains.
Rather than a goal or a destination, sustainability has long been part of UMAGE’s DNA. “We’re building a culture where responsibility comes naturally, not just as a box to tick off,” Mikkel reflects. “It’s an ongoing journey, one we embrace fully and with everyone playing their part.”
UMAGE IS NOW AN FSC-CERTIFIED COMPANY
Highlighting their dedication to sustainability, UMAGE is now an official FSC-certified company. This certification reflects an ongoing commitment to the environment, offering thoughtfully designed products that combine aesthetics, functionality, and environmental care.
The certification marks an important milestone in UMAGE’s efforts to integrate environmentally conscious practices across all aspects of production. It ensures that wood is sourced responsibly, protecting biodiversity and supporting the rights of workers and local communities.
While some UMAGE designs are already FSC-certified, the company will expand the use of FSC-certified wood across their furniture collection, ensuring each piece is crafted with respect for both nature and craftsmanship.
PRODUCT CARBON FOOTPRINT
An LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) measures a product’s environmental impact across its life cycle: from materials and transport to packaging and use. To make the results easier to grasp, the data is translated into everyday equivalents, helping to put the climate impact into perspective. Carbon footprint product impact calculations for all products are available on request.
“LCA calculations are a powerful tool for highlighting the environmental impact of our product production, enabling us to make more informed decisions about material use and the location and method of production in the long term. At the same time, they bring greater transparency to our supply chain, helping us identify where our efforts will create the most value.”
MIKKEL BOE PETERSEN CSR COORDINATOR AT UMAGE
A CONVERSATION PIECE LOW (W. HORIZONS S TEXTILE)
CLIMATE BAR
NEW IN
UMAGE introduces a carefully curated selection of new designs, each with its signature blend of functionality and style. This season, discover new dining chairs, new lamp collections, a versatile dresser, and a fresh colour collection, bringing even more options for personalising your space.
A Conversation Piece Dining Chair
The A Conversation Piece dining chair features a soft and organic outline, combining elegance and functionality with exceptional craftsmanship. Its airy, sculptural design is made from solid oak and veneer, with rounded legs and seamless joints on the backrest that add warmth and character to any space.
This upholstered chair provides a comfortable seat for life’s conversations and complements a variety of settings, from the dining rooms to the home office.
Treasures Dresser
True to the essence of the Treasures collection, the new Treasures dresser combines elegance and practicality, featuring curved sides and spacious compartments that bring a sense of softness and refinement to interiors. Its side doors open like wings, offering storage for jewellery and small keepsakes, while three seamless drawers provide ample space for knitwear, table settings, or office essentials.
The Lemon Squeeze Collection
The Lemon Squeeze collection celebrates light and design with distinctive rippled glass, sculptural metal accents and chandelier references. The unique texture of the glass catches the light, while a diffuser at the core of each light tube ensures soft, even illumination, creating an inviting atmosphere for any occasion. Rooted in timeless design traditions, the Lemon Squeeze collection brings warmth and sophistication to interiors.
Asteria Move Monochrome
Adding a contemporary twist to a modern classic UMAGE is introducing six new monochrome versions of the portable Asteria Move lamp. These monochrome variants bring a fresh update to the iconic design, with a range of colours that evoke the beauty of nature, from bold, sunny hues to soft, subtle tones. With their minimalistic outlines and soft tones, the new colours, pale blue, clay, leaf, nuance mist, sunflower, and butter yellow, further enhance the lamp’s sleek aesthetic and infuse the design with additional refinement.
Chordis
Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the Chordis lampshade features a delicate interplay of brass accents and curved glass. The glass creates an airy, almost invisible feel while the brass provides a striking contrast, enhancing the design with a subtle, sophisticated warmth. Its airy design ensures it complements a variety of interiors, from classic to contemporary, while its understated sophistication adds a touch of grace to any setting.
Heiko
The Heiko chair blends Danish design and Japanese simplicity. As a quiet statement piece, it strikes a perfect balance between form and function. True to its name, meaning 'balance' in Japanese, the chair features a sculptural silhouette, where a solid yet subtle form creates a harmony between calm presence and bold expression. Far more than just a piece of furniture, the Heiko chair serves as an object of reflection – an embodiment of thoughtful design and cultural resonance.
THE PAST’S PRESENCE IN DESIGN
HOW UMAGE BUILDS ON A PROUD DESIGN HERITAGE
Danish design is world-renowned for its balance of functionality, aesthetics, and craftsmanship, a legacy shaped by decades of innovation and refinement. As a contemporary design brand, UMAGE embraces this heritage, blending historical inspiration with modern needs. Their designs draw from some of the most influential style movements in history, from the organic forms of Art Nouveau to the luxurious details of Art Deco, from the strict functionalism of Bauhaus to the bold experimentation of the 1970s. While deeply rooted in tradition, UMAGE’s approach is distinctly forward-looking, focusing on flexibility, multifunctionality, and sustainability.
Functionality Redefined
One of the key principles in Danish design is that form follows function – a philosophy championed by the Bauhaus movement and refined in Denmark by Kaare Klint, widely regarded as the father of Danish furniture design. Klint emphasised that furniture should be based on human proportions, ensuring optimal usability while removing anything unnecessary. This focus on function and precision has shaped Danish design ever since.
UMAGE builds on this tradition, creating furniture that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional. The Lounge Around Sofa01, for example, adapts effortlessly to different needs, whether for relaxation, work, or social gatherings. The Heart’n’Soul dining table02 discreetly incorporates storage, proving that practicality and beauty can go hand in hand. In an era where living spaces are becoming smaller and more dynamic, UMAGE continues the Danish tradition of designing with purpose, ensuring that every piece is both versatile and enduring.
A Modern Take On Elegance
While Danish design is often associated with minimalism, UMAGE also draws inspiration from the opulence of Art Deco, a movement that emerged in the 1920s with its geometric patterns, rich materials, and bold decorative elements.
This influence is evident in UMAGE’s Lemon Squeeze collection03, which reinterprets Art Deco aesthetics with ribbed glass details and elegant metal finishes. The collection captures the period’s glamorous appeal while maintaining a contemporary and functional design language. Similarly, The Brighter Days lamp 04 takes inspiration from Art Deco’s refined sophistication, combining sharp lines and exquisite materials to create a striking yet timeless statement.
The Duende desk05 goes beyond aesthetics to create a workspace that connects with the essence of true creativity. Duende represents not only a desk but a feeling – a quality that encompasses the ever-expanding spirit of an artist at work. With graceful curves, the organic shape adds an airy touch to the design, making Duende a design piece that seamlessly fits into all rooms and settings. The soft triangular shape of the table top gives the table a refined aesthetic and will ensure that the table takes up minimal space while still being spacious.
Organic Forms of Nature In Contemporary Lighting
Not all design traditions have favoured geometric precision. At the turn of the 20th century, Art Nouveau introduced a more fluid and organic approach, inspired by nature’s curves and asymmetry.
UMAGE’s lighting designs reflect this influence, particularly in their wooden lamp collections. The Jazz lamp06, with its sculptural shape, resembles a blooming flower, while The Forget Me Not lamp07 echoes the soft contours of petals. By embracing the beauty of natural forms, UMAGE creates lighting solutions that feel both contemporary and timeless, blending function with an emotional and sensory appeal.
From Functionalism to Personal Expression
By the 1970s, design had begun to shift away from rigid functionalist principles, embracing a more expressive and experimental approach. Furniture was no longer just practical – it became a statement of identity. Rounded silhouettes, unconventional materials, and playful elements defined the decade’s design language.
UMAGE brings this spirit into the present with The Audacious collection08, featuring tambour doors and soft, curved shapes that reflect the experimental nature of 1970s furniture design. Just as the era introduced cocktail cabinets and modular seating to suit evolving lifestyles, UMAGE continues to create furniture that is as adaptable as it is aesthetically distinctive.
Sustainability and The Future of Design
Danish design has long been associated with quality and longevity. UMAGE takes this philosophy even further by ensuring that their products are designed for both durability and adaptability.
Many of their pieces incorporate replaceable textiles and modular components, allowing them to evolve with changing trends and personal preferences. The Reader chair 09, for example, features an interchangeable fabric cover, enabling users to refresh its look without replacing the entire chair. Additionally, UMAGE designs its products to be disassembled into recyclable components, supporting a circular economy where materials can be repurposed rather than discarded.
Bridging The Past and The Future
Design history is not a collection of isolated periods but a continuous dialogue between past and future. UMAGE positions itself as a part of this evolving narrative, taking inspiration from historical movements while addressing the needs of contemporary living.
From the organic elegance of Art Nouveau to the structured luxury of Art Deco, from Bauhaus functionality to the expressive forms of the 1970s, UMAGE seamlessly integrates design heritage into a modern context. By prioritising aesthetics, adaptability, and sustainability, the brand ensures that its creations are not only relevant today but built to last for generations to come.
01 Lounge Around 3-seater, oak, shadow. 02 Heart’n’Soul table 200, oak, obsidian black (FENIX® nanolaminate). 03 Lemon Squeeze ceiling lamp, long, penta, plated brass. 04 Brighter Days lampshades, brass. 05 Duende desk, oak. 06 Jazz lampshade, oak. 07 Forget Me Not lampshades, mini, medium and large, oak.
cabinet, oak, morning meadows.
The Reader wing chair, oak, Kvadrat (Canvas).
PAST. PRESENT. DESIGN.
3DAYSOFDESIGN 2025
For this year’s 3daysofdesign, UMAGE presents the theme Past. Present. Design. A story that weaves together the evolution of our designs, our company, and the way we create. We were inspired to reflect on what it means to stay authentic while embracing change. Design, after all, is a conversation between what came before and what lies ahead.
It’s difficult to separate the past from the present when talking about design. The two are deeply intertwined. Every new creation carries echoes of what came before. Whether through materials, techniques, or visual references, design often builds on past ideas to shape contemporary solutions.
Our story begins with our roots. From early plastic lamps and feather designs to the FSC-certified furniture and functional lighting collections we create today, our journey has been one of constant evolution.
Our designs are made to last and evolve, adapting to changing needs, spaces, and styles. Balancing nostalgic references with modern expression, they are created to stand the test of time, growing alongside those who live with them.
Design history and tradition are ever-present in our creative process. Innovation thrives when guided by what has come before. As we embrace new technologies like AI, we see how these tools free us to focus on what matters most: creativity, craftsmanship, and connection. Technology supports our work, but the heart of design remains in the hands of those who create.
With Past. Present. Design., we invite you to step behind the scenes at UMAGE – from our design process to the rhythm of our daily life, and join our story of evolution, authenticity, and the enduring value of thoughtful design.
