Get to know the people behind the progressive, thought provoking designs from our fabulous Discover Design exhibit. We’ll be bringing you the inspirations, influences and ideas that go into creating the wonderful products that you’ll see in our newest exhibit at the 2013 Show! Get to know them before you see them with our Discovering Design series!
Meet Ms. Ingerid Mohn, VP Sales and Marketing of Sagaform
Where do you find inspiration when designing new products?
Our designers are asked to follow a trend or style and then are free to find inspiration anywhere. Many of our designers look to interior design or fashion for inspiration.
Are there any specific designers, places or eras that influence you?
We work mostly with Scandinavian designers to get the Scandinavian look. We are influenced by all trends in food and how it is served. Anything from new food styles to way of cooking and serving can be the starting point. Also patterns and colors from the fashion industries are important.
How do you choose which idea to take to the next step — to product development?
The product idea must have a potential customer. Our approach can be defined by our guiding words: “joyful,” “innovative” and “gift.” This focus helps narrow down the ideas to the ones that are right for Sagaform.
How do you identify the key user audience for your products?
Our target group is composed of customers who are interested in interior design and trends, like to entertain and are looking for value for their money.
Tell us about some of your new products.
Our new TASTE collection is designed by the team Formforyou. The design duo of Anna Leckström and Kolbrún Leósdóttir has designed restaurants and home goods products that join form and function with great design. The TASTE series is based upon sharing and entertaining. The line consists of serving trays, bowls and plates in triangle shapes made of bamboo and stoneware. The mix and match pieces are designed to be used together or separately. Warm tone colors were selected to enhance the foods served.
How do you see design’s importance in our industry as it moves forward?
Design continues to be more and more important in the housewares industry. Customers are looking to make statements with their home goods and are buying products based on their sense of style, in addition to functionality.
Where are your products manufactured?
China and Thailand.
How does Discover Design help to expand your brand?
Discover Design is very important to Sagaform. It allows us to attract customers looking for design and trendy products, while allowing such customers to easily seek out brands that are trendy and cutting edge. I have enjoyed watching the Discover Design area evolve.
What advice can you offer to designers working in the home goods field?
Sustainability, functionality and creativity are very important. Customers are becoming very sophisticated and are looking for quality and unique items.
Thank you, Sagaform, for giving us a preview of what will be shown in your booth S3268. We look forward to seeing your full line of offerings in March in Chicago!
