Use a prototype to sell an idea
I've just received back the prototype I did for Billiani to share with them my disruptive idea of an archetype chair with a reclining backrest.
1. Archetype-A
As you may know, this April I presented my latest design, Archetype-A, a product that took me two years to realize.
Billiani also sent me back my first prototype, so I want to share its story with you.
All designs need refinement. When I present my products, they are never 100% finished. Let’s say: concept 9/10; product development 5/10.
The concept is usually the part I’m most inclined to complete because it’s the message that the product must convey, and I’m quite straightforward about it. I think it’s the part where the design can make the biggest difference—a vision to pursue. Later, with technical development alongside the company, the product sees its refinement with a goal in mind.
In this case, I pushed the product development part a bit further for a precise reason: the product was so minimal that just a visual presentation would have belittled it. So, no laziness—I made a prototype with a skilled craftsman in my town.
Here is an example of how it looked in a rendering.
The prototyping phase had one primary purpose: explaining the moving backrest, which was the hardest part to communicate during the presentation.
So, I set aside ergonomics and chair construction (Billiani obviously knows how to handle that) and focused solely on the backrest inclination to make it happen.
That’s part of the design process, not the engineering, because I had to give credit to my concept: creating an archetypal chair, the simplest one, with a surprise element. This way, interior designers have a straightforward tool of minimalism, and the moving backrest provides unexpected comfort for the user.
The backrest movement is crucial; otherwise, it’s just a chair.
Here are some pictures of the first prototype, so you can see how it evolved once it was in the hands of the company.
There are many aspects to discuss about this chair. If you want to know more, send me a DM on instagram or linkedin. I'll do my best to focus on a specific aspect in the next newsletter.
This newsletter is for both you and me, so don’t hesitate to ask anything you would ask over a cup of coffee during a break.
In case you missed it, here's my unboxing of the final prototype. This one needed very few adjustments, which have since been addressed in the mass production version. It's about 95% identical to the final result.
2. What happened since last time
SOME CHALLENGES 🤔
On the design front, I have an upcoming meeting for my new lamp in development. Let’s see if the concept gets appreciated. This lamp is quite complex to put into production due to several development aspects that require a capable company to resolve. It aims to target a specific market niche that hasn't been explored yet. So, I need someone courageous—fingers crossed!
To share some numbers, I've faced: 17 rejections and 9 cases of disinterest in the past 6 months during my editor search.
SOME POSITIVE UPDATES 😀
I'm currently working on a new article for Design Wanted that delves into designing for galleries. While I haven't previously created one-off or limited pieces for sale, I'm intrigued to gather and share insights on this topic. I'm reaching out to a significant gallery in Rome to deepen my understanding of this field, especially after encountering disinterest from two international galleries. It's interesting how some individuals treat you like a door-to-door salesperson, even when you're offering them exposure for free, all in the spirit of design.
3. New articles
I’ve recently wrapped up all my design courses (and the students did very well!).
Now, I’m back to writing personal articles because I finally have some spare time to dedicate to my reflections on design.
I’ve been focusing on the importance of communication in design and how it can strategically impact personal branding, product promotion, and perceived quality. You can check out my latest thoughts on LinkedIn through this link.
⚰️ This has been my least succesful linkedin post ever ⚰️ < new record
I know it’s time-consuming to read so much, so I was thinking about converting these personal articles into audio or video format. Do you think it could be a good idea? Please let me know via DM, again on instagram or linkedin.
4. Design I like
Today, let's delve into a highly renowned product that graces interiors both online and offline. But what exactly makes it so successful in terms of design?
I’m referring to the IC lamp collection by Michael Anastassiades for Flos.
The beauty of the IC lamp lies in its perfect balance between utilizing an iconic form and advancing its significance. We all recognize a simple sphere as an anonymous design archetype, yet Anastassiades's innovation lies in positioning the structure tangentially rather than perpendicularly. This subtle deviation makes it unexpectedly original while retaining enough of the archetype's simplicity to resonate with both interior designers and consumers.
Projects like the IC lamp are not commonplace; designers require extensive experience, practice, and perhaps a touch of luck to create such a quietly outstanding product. What are your thoughts on this perspective?
I hope you found this newsletter interesting and I’m open to any feedback or request.
If you are curious about a particular argument, feel free to ask and I’ll do my best to talk about it.
This newsletter isn't just for me; it's for you too. I believe that opening a window to the world is crucial for designers to help others understand how profound and complex this profession is.
📣 Please join me in spreading the word—not only to share these insights, but also to inspire others to do the same.
The more of us there are, the better it is!
Cheers!
Mario