They were surprised that it wasn't just another chair or another lamp, but something completely different and therefore eye-catching. There were many questions, some absolutely had to know where they could buy these switches and sockets. So it seems that the decision to show them at the London Design Festival was the right one. It's a unique place: we've already visited many design events, but this one is definitely of the highest standard. We, in turn, were a bit surprised by the fact that many people were wearing amber jewellery there! And since they wear it, it means they like amber and don't need to be convinced about it. This was also evident in the case of the Trend Book, which they were very interested in – we constantly talked about Prof. Fijałkowski's journeys tracing trends and the involvement of students from the Gdańsk Academy of Fine Arts in implementing projects inspired by them.
I am convinced that investing in amber design is a good, forward-looking investment. It needs to find more space in the market, and not only in the form of jewellery: we have evidence that unconventional utility items – such as our sockets and switches – also have excellent chances of success. Our amber has inspired us tremendously: since the workshops in Gdańsk last year, a multitude of ideas for its innovative use have been born in our minds. I am convinced that a great time is coming for amber – also thanks to the increasingly strong trend for returning to nature, into which this stone fits perfectly. However, to make good use of this opportunity, it is absolutely necessary to think about amber in a much broader context.
An investor willing to carry out this type of project should be sought in many ways. This is a task for both us and the city of Gdańsk. We believe that by working together, we will manage to find one. Certainly, as many publications of information as possible can also contribute to this. Since our project promotes Gdańsk and, above all, amber, we are pleased that the city itself is a kind of incubator for it. It is on its support in the search for an investor that we are counting. I assume that the final product will be aimed at export due to its positioning in the higher price bracket. It might be possible to try to reduce the costs of materials – Corian and amber – but this would be to the detriment of the final visual effect and, of course, the exclusivity of the product. Because amber must be exclusive – only in this way does it have a chance to exist in the world of design.
Zofia Strumiłło-Sukiennik, along with Anna Łoskiewicz, co-creates Beza Projekt. Together, they designed light switches and sockets adorned with amber, which premiered at the London Design Festival in September this year.
Recommended:
Amber at the London Design Festival