The year 2016 marked the 19th edition of the SaloneSatellite, a global appointment for talented young designers. This edition laid emphasis on new materials.

Since 1998, SaloneSatellite has endeavoured to seek out, valorize and offer concrete 

possibilities to young designers under 35. It was an annual event geared to fostering contact between young designers and exhibiting companies. It was held alongside the 55th edition of the Salone del Mobile.Milan at the Milan Fair.

The founder and Curator of the SaloneSatellite is Marva Griffin. 

Each year participants, young designers present their ideas for the first time at this event. 

The 19th edition of SaloneSatellite was again dedicated to the design stars of the future. Approximately 650 designers and neo-graduands at international design schools took part in that year event. 

They presented their fresh ideas and design on the 2,800 square meters in Pavilions 13-15 of the Milan Fairgrounds Rho. Young designers offered their new prototypes to the 1.757 exhibitors presented at the Fair (total number of exhibitors was 1.757 exhibitors + 650 designers of SaloneSatellite = 2.407exibitors). 30% of all of them were foreign companies.

Exhibitors exposed their product on a net exhibition area of 207,000 m2 (the SaloneSatellite area included in this exhibition space). 

Each year SaloneSatellite gives the opportunity to promising young designers and helps to launch them on the market. Many of the projects presented at the SaloneSatellite  over the years have become successful products, even icons of design, while others have won prestigious prizes and still, others have entered the collections of the most important design museums. 

The selected works of new rising stars in 2016 will join ranks with designers who have already taken part in previous editions of SaloneSatellite.Milano .

About SaloneSatellite Award 2016: an unparalleled opportunity

SaloneSatellite has always been the most important event in the design world for young designers. It became the premier meeting place for manufacturers, talent scouts and the most promising young designers. 

In the year 2016, The SaloneSatellite Award competition was in its 7th edition. It marks a further step towards facilitating the interface between demand and supply, between business people and designers and between creativity and production.  

The theme of SaloneSatellite 2016 was ‘New Materials >New Design’, exploring the latest that new materials science has to offer. The most advanced centres for materials research centres in Europe: Barcelona, ​​Milan, Prague, London, Munich, Ancona, international companies and designers working in this field have contributed, so a collection of innovative samples of materials for the furniture sector has been formed.

In response to the set theme, a large totem sculpture made of plastic, glass, metal, fabric and marble was made. It was. created by the leading Salone del Mobile companies specialising in the production of pieces made out of these particular materials.

The round table: ‘New Materials > New Design’, was held at SaloneSatellite Arena. The Representatives from different research hubs discussed this year subject.

For their part, the young Salone Satellite protagonists from all over the world were asked to showcase works that explore with their projects the relationship between material and design. 

As always, a prestigious Selection Committee, composed of leading international figures in the world of design, planning and communication, chaired by Marva Griffin Wilshire, has inspected and selected the entries of the participants. They reviewed thousands of submitted projects, selected the best and singled out 650 which will be exhibited alongside the designs of several international design schools.

The participants in the SaloneSatellite were asked to present, in addition to their prototypes/ entries, one or more projects encompassed by the product categories of the biennial events that accompany the Salone del Mobile.Milano. For the edition of 2016, they were EuroCucina with FTK -Technology For the Kitchen  and the International Bathroom Exhibition. This way SaloneSatellite respond to the growing demand for quality products in both market segments.

The award was assigned by an international jury consisting of the leading figures in the design world. They selected the 3 best products in each of the two categories, Kitchen and Bathroom.

Several collateral events were taking place alongside the trade show. That year was dedicated respectively to living concepts, classical furniture and architectural finishings.

The ‘Before Design: Classic’ was an exhibition event which was with art direction by Ciarmoli Queda Studio. It was a reflection on the classical essence of contemporary living, unfolding among displays and theatrical installations. The core of the exhibition was the short film by Matteo Garrone, discussing classic Made in Italy taste and its currency in audio and visual narration.

The therapeutic project ‘Re-Construction– the house of possible work ‘was back at SaloneSatellite for the second time. The project led to the opening of an open-space design workshop, where a new method of design, mediated and suggested to the patients, has led to the building of scale models of ‘possible objects’. 

The winners of the SaloneSatellite Award 2016

The three best projects that stand out in the represented categories, selected by the jury, were: 

• The First Prize went to Studio Philipp Beisheim from Germany for Inflatable Side table. This inflatable table was developed as a response to the consumer society. It is made of Hypalon, a highly durable silicon-based material, used in the industrial field. 

The Jury considered that the table respects the rules of functionality. Its inflatable base makes it relatively compact for shipping and storing. Made of unusual material for furnishing: particularly resilient rubberized, the waterproof canvas used to produce rubber dinghies. 

Keeping faith with one of the main objectives of design, this choice of material contains a veiled reference to current events and the most pressing social problems that concern us. 

• The Second prize was awarded to Bouillon from Japan for Warm Stool. The essential lines of this stool combine primitive functions and new applications for traditional terracotta, which has been an enduring feature of our houses. 

The originality and usefulness of the concept were engaging, as is the innovative take on a traditional process for raw material such as terracotta, inventing an object that hitherto did not exist. 

• The third prize went to Studio Nito from Germany for Bobina Chair developing it from a single thread to a three-dimensional object. The project is inspired by bobbins, their yarn structures and general textile capabilities. Combined with a special manufacturing technique, colourful cotton yarns turn into solid furniture.

The project was beautifully carried off thanks to an innovative production process that manages to combine a traditional material, such as cotton thread, with a more contemporary one, such as bioresin, achieving an aesthetic result that is both familiar yet altogether new.

The three awards consisted of awarded cash prizes. Consulting and press office services were also available to the winners, aimed at ensuring maximum visibility for their projects.

In keeping with its philosophy of supporting young designers facing the professional world, the SaloneSatellite renewed its agreement with ADI (Italian Industrial Design Association), for those who wish to protect the copyrights to their work by enrolling in a Product Register. Copyright protection is valid only in Italy. 

At the 19th edition of SaloneSatellite again collaborated with the Milanese department store La Rinascente, which will select a number of the products designed by the young SaloneSatellite designers for display and sale at the Milan Design Supermarket, 

in Piazza Duomo, from Autumn to Christmas 2016.  

Another design award was given. The furniture manufacturer based in Cantù (Como) Riva 1920 awarded the RIVA 1920 Design Award for the third consecutive year. The winning design of the contest Design Award "Turn your vision" for the design of a cedar's stool or bench, will become part of the Riva1920 collection.

Studio Bouillon in 2016

In 2016 design studio Bouillon was at its beginning. Shunya Hattori and Hiroki Nasu were the founders of the studio. The two of them studied and graduated from Nagoya University of Arts, majoring in Spatial Design. Six years after graduating, they started their design studio in April 2016. During this period, many of their products were created, so it can be said that it was successful period for their creative work.

At that time their collection consisted of everyday products with different purposes. In the category of furniture were: chairs, shelves, stools, ..., then lighting but also small usable items such as a clock, pot and cups.

Shunya Hattori and Hiroki Nasu explored new possibilities of expression through the design process. Their attention was primarily focused on the materials used for the products. The members of the Studio Bouillon were concentrated to revive ancient materials. They researched ceramics with a long tradition of use in Japan, mainly for teapots. The designers utilized clay for products of various purposes, including furniture. One of their first products was the Ceramic Box for storing small items. Then followed a collection of Shudei furniture with the same name as traditional Japanese clay. Designers combined traditional and modern manufacturing techniques to create products that meet the needs of the modern user. They gave the traditional material a new expression. Shunya Hattori and Hiroki Nasu have taken another step forward and added a new quality to their product. With knowledge of the performance of clay, they offered a chair with a heated seat and provided additional comfort for the user. The Hot stool functions as a hot water bottle that helps the user maintain body temperature. It is also important to mention that they successfully solve the details of connections of different materials such as parts of wood and clay. With the same interest, they were exploring other materials like straw, wood, rattan...

Till 2016, Studio Bouillon exhibited their products at many international Exhibitions and events in Tokyo, Singapore, in Milano.

In the year 2016, Studio Bouillon received Salone Satellite 2nd Prize and IFFT Young designer award.

Studio Bouillon about themselves

1.

SaloneSatellite is an international event in the design world to help designers under-35s establish themselves in the industry. 

What do you remember about your taking part in SaloneSatellite 2016?

(When and why did you decide to take part in Salone Satellite? How have you chosen your design? What the process of realization of the prototype looked like? Did you have some support in producing your prototype?)

I have been focusing on pottery since April 2015.There is a town called Tokoname near the town where I live.

The town has long been famous as a Japanese pottery producing area. Also, I have been familiar with Tokoname City since I was a university student. The town is full of pottery.

I started thinking about what I could do as a furniture designer. So I wanted to make furniture from pottery. So I decided to do research again. They are the makers of history museums, pottery manufacturing companies, etc.

I met a ceramic artist. He is a craftsman who makes works such as potter's wheel and vase.

Potter's wheel is one of the traditional techniques of Tokoname. Tokoname City has been active in making Kyusu for a long time.

There are craftsmen with excellent potter's wheel skills. In Tokoname, there are many pottery made from soil called Shudei.

Shudei is a beautiful vermilion soil.

In addition, Shudei turns vermilion when it is oxidatively fired, and black when it is reduced and fired. In this way, the color changes depending on the firing method. I was impressed by the beauty that can be achieved in that simple process.

I decided to make Shudei furniture as a modern tool.

From there, I carefully read the context of the pottery while making some studies.

However, the pottery furniture was hard and cold.Those were very big challenges.So I remembered the scene of pouring warm water into a pottery cup. That’s a very good image. After that, I solved it by pouring hot water on the seat. Then the warm stool was completed.

It is exactly the furniture that makes the best use of the original characteristics of the material.

I was worried about announcing them in Milan, but I learned that people all over the world would smile when they sit on warm seats.

I was relieved. I was convinced at the same time. I was able to sympathize with the new possibilities of pottery in all countries.

It was a very happy experience.

 2.

Started in 2010, the SaloneSatellite Award introduced a further opportunity to facilitate contact between young designers and businesses. 

With your Warm Stool, you were the Second Prize winner 2016. Have the Award had much of an impact on your career? If so, how?

 (What did you gain from this experience? Were benefits in line to your expectations?)

It was an opportunity for many people to know my values.

It has provided an opportunity to connect with people not only in Japan but also in other countries.

3.

What is your opinion, why you received the Award? How your design was different from others and what additional values it carried?

I think the main reason is that I faced the material.

Pottery has various histories and backgrounds all over the world.

They have been used as a material for daily life to this day.

I think it contributed a little to those futures.

I am confident that modern and primitive ideas have been appreciated.

 4.

What is most important in the process of development of the new product?

(What are the biggest challenges that you face in this work? What is a key contributor to success?)

It is a careful interpretation of people's lives.

The hints for creating the future are in the past and present.

The same is true for the material.

By carefully interpreting them, it will lead to finding new potential of the material.

Design is very much connected to society and its changes. Today the changes are numerous: a new way of doing business, coronavirus pandemic conditions, circular economy… Designers have to look for solutions and responses to them.

Do you think that the role of the designer changed now and how? 

I once again feel the importance of continuing to create material value.

In the current situation where it is difficult to have a realistic experience due to the influence of a pandemic, the impact of material value on people's lives is great. Also, by incorporating the process of actual experience into the creation of those material values, they will have a strong message.

6.

Do you have any piece of advice for young designers entering the design world?   

It is important to have big dreams.

However, what you have to do every day will be very close to you. 

Now is the time to look carefully around you. (I am conscious of it every day in the pandemic).   

Studio Bouillon in 2021

In 2021 Shunya Hattori and Hiroki Nasu ran their Studio Bouillon which is in the fifth year of development. They continue to explore the possibilities of materials and constantly extend the range of their product. The designers deal with different types of materials: wood, rattan rarely glass for everyday items. Sometimes they use only one material for the whole item or combine different materials such as wood and metal, rattan and metal ... They are well acquainted with the characteristics of materials, such as flexibility and strength of rattan, which allow them to realize products of unusual and interesting shapes with the necessary stability. From rattan, they create stands (Organic Stand), shelves (Mesh), lighting fixtures. Thick rattan core, usually used for the frame of furniture, for them is ideal for the realization of the lighting (Organic Light). The lamp with a metal frame and hand-knitted rattan enabled them to create the product with individual beauty (Baton Lamp).

When the wood is in the matter, they use cedar, cypress... Thanks to its characteristics, wood can be used for frames or constructions of products. At the same time, this material gives aesthetic value and specific beauty to each product.

Some of their solutions are unusual. They use logs for furniture parts like seats or shelves (Extra Stool and Shelf). The raw, natural beauty of the material used gives uniqueness to the product and recognition to the space it is located in.

Even when the wood appears only as a detail of furniture, like a handle of cypress branch (Branch Box), it gives a distinctive stamp and charm to the product.

Shunya Hattori and Hiroki Nasu care about sustainability. They created a series of furniture designed from discarded items that get a different purpose. They combine new elements with those that are no longer in use and thus contribute to material recycling (Baton table and shelf).

Some of their works are pure experiments like a Position project. Designers experiment with the grips and wires investigating possibilities of their usage. Position project is presented on the Experimental Creations Website which showcases innovative ideas relating to the usage of the materials.

Studio Bouillon, through its design, shows its creative capabilities primarily achieved through an experimental approach to materials. To explore innovative ways of using, they study the characteristics of materials. They consider ordinary materials and always try to find new possibilities and ways of expression. They are not afraid to experiment with materials and production techniques. Actually, their experiments are creative. In this process, they connect the past and the future by reviving ancient materials or processes, combining traditional crafts with modern technology, and always keeping in mind the needs of modern users.

The result of this approach are products that possess added value, achieved through the clever use of natural materials. Studio Bouillon shows innovative ways of developing everyday products.

Studio Bouillon continues to exhibit its design across Japan (Tokyo Nagoya, Kyoto, Toyama, Kanazawa) and worldwide in Milan, Stockholm, Frankfurt. Their works have been nominated and selected for many awards. In 2019, they received   Shenzhen Design Award for Young Talents (Merit Award).

This post is a story about the SaloneSatellite Award and how it had a positive impact on the careers of young designers. The SaloneSatellite Award provided Studio Bouillon members with the opportunity to further develop their studio, providing them with the possibility to present their work and make contacts with business people around the world.