By Marie Kulik, Manager of Exhibitor Business Development
This week’s Inside Discover Design interview is with Cristian Justus of finum:
Marie: What is the inspiration behind the design and functionality of your tea and coffee products?
CJ: As an enthusiastic consumer of full-leaf teas I like to blend them myself. And I want to prepare my teas in the urban setting of my regular life. Thus I looked for an easy way which at the same time allowed me to keep control over the brewing process by monitoring the expansion of the leaves and the spreading of the color. By simply screwing in the lid of my newly patented Tea Traveler ZITA, the tumbler is closed and the tea is cornered. This way, ZITA controls the brewing at any desired point allowing to keep the taste uncompromised. With this combination of quality and convenience, I wish to meet the contemporary minds of design oriented and health conscious people around the world. This durable and elegant Tea Traveler is made from BPA-free Tritan, avoiding the waste of thousands of tea bags, and resulting in clear, delicious tea made to everyone’s personal taste.
Marie: Are there specific designers that have influenced you?
CJ: Up to a year ago I made every design almost without professional assistance. Only when I started the project of the new Tea Traveler Zita, I turned to some well recognized designers from Hamburg, the BFGF Design Studio. Together we managed to bring out the best in ourselves. We strongly believe that ZITA will be perceived as a master piece which may convince people that tea is so much more fun than what they have come to know in the past.
Marie: What makes a home and housewares design “great”?
CJ: Great Design is surprisingly simple. People often say: Why didn’t this exist before? And they say: I want it.
Marie: How much does cost influence design?
CJ: Of course, the investment is crucial to designers and to the companies. But once the development is on its way the entrepreneur quickly ignores some of the costs involved. The design piece becomes “his baby”.
Marie: What does your company offer the Home and Housewares Industry?
CJ: finum is our brand. The company’s name is actually Riensch & Held Co.KG and is a well established filter manufacturer from Hamburg, Germany. The constantly updated and unique line of high quality accessories for tea and coffee explains why this company is being seen and heard from internationally.
Marie: What was your first impression of Discover Design? The International Home + Housewares Show in general?
CJ: The show management has taken a big step forward. Discover Design is going to attract many more interesting exhibitors and Buyers from around the world.
Marie: How do you see design impacting our housewares industry five years down the road? 10? Longer?
CJ: Materials, technologies and habits are going to impact future design resulting in enormous opportunities for the industry.
Marie: How much does the use or function of a product play into the design of it? Do your products follow a similar design throughout the line or does the influence differ from piece to piece?
CJ: This is a continuous process which we are shaping. So far there are several lines of products with differing design elements, which are derived from the product’s original function.
Marie: How did the Discover Design help to expand your brand?
CJ: Can’t really tell yet, but we are quite hopeful.
