IKEA collaborates with tom dixon and HAY on new visions of furniture for modern living

 

 

 

today, IKEA has announced two distinct collaborations with british designer tom dixon and danish brand HAY.

 

together with HAY, IKEA looks to explore the future of scandinavian design identity, through the realization of a collection of furniture that encourages socialization in the living room. comprising furniture, lighting, accessories and textiles, HAY and IKEA have taken a production driven approach towards all of the pieces which will be produced using the swedish company’s advanced manufacturing techniques—showcasing what design reflects, and what is possible within IKEA factories.
IKEA tom dixon hay designboom
the collaboration between HAY and IKEA explores the future of scandinavian design identity
image © inter IKEA systems B.V. 2016

IKEA tom dixon hay designboom
the HAY x IKEA bench offers simplicity and functionality
image © inter IKEA systems B.V. 2016

 

 

 

set to be launched in fall 2017, the products will embody a classic scandinavian feel featuring light colors, high quality and clean lines. with each of the versatile and functional solutions for everyday life conceived with the use of unconventional materials, and assembled through smart construction, overtime they will be updated and adapted to the changing needs of the living room.

 

the way we work with accessories in the collection is to connect and combine colors for a fresh modern look. for the accessories we work with at IKEA, we have explored many different materials including, aluminum, metallic, terracotta, textiles, plastic and wood to create a diverse range with different uses that we are excited for,’ says mette hay, co-founder of HAY. ‘I think the time we are living in is so much about sharing experiences, the future is so much about collaborations. I feel that it is about doing the right collaborations, where both parties are bringing something to the table, and with IKEA and HAY I really felt that we both brought a lot to the table, and we did this together’, she continues.

IKEA tom dixon hay designboom
the HAY x IKEA products will embody a classic scandinavian feel featuring light colors, high quality and clean lines
image © inter IKEA systems B.V. 2016

 

 

 

I was so enthusiastic about this cooperation with IKEA. this cooperation is with one of the best supply chains in the world, with some of the best product developers and engineers in the industry. I knew that we could learn from IKEA, and hopefully they could also learn from us‘, adds rolf hay, co-founder of HAY. ‘we immediately felt that IKEA was a very open culture, so they were not afraid of sharing. from my point of view, that was one of the reasons why I was attracted to working with them, that we could actually learn something from one another‘, he concludes.
IKEA tom dixon hay designboom
the collection will be comprised furniture, lighting, accessories and textiles
image © inter IKEA systems B.V. 2016

 

 

 

working together with a shared sense of values, mutual curiosity and a shared interest in learning, HAY and IKEA have collectively sought to work in a conversational way. together they have tried to understand what the true functional and emotional needs of the modern 21st century home are. a particular interest in how people work, eat, socialize and rest in urban environments across the globe were the focus. a key ambition was to re-imagine what the basic products that everyone needs are, and to create new designs to meet those requirements; by formulating designs that will serve more fluid functions and emotionally connect with their users, while also aging well over time. the resulting collection acknowledges changes that are taking place, how life is becoming more fluid and the idea of function by room is dissolving. the products combine innovation, aesthetic confidence and a shared ambition to make design accessible to all.

 

when we see the world is changing, how people live is changing, how people use products is changing, we have a duty to reinvent our basics. still with a typical IKEA design sensibility, so that you can see that it is us from the beginning, so you can see that it relates to our Scandinavian heritage, which is part of being IKEA‘, says marcus engman, design manager at IKEA. ‘doing this together with HAY, a design company that stretches from the boarder of architecture to fashion and who has contributed strongly to today’s perception of Scandinavian design, yet with an international reach, is really exciting‘, says engman.
IKEA tom dixon hay designboom
HAY and IKEA focus on how people work, eat, socialize and rest in urban environments
image © inter IKEA systems B.V. 2016

IKEA tom dixon hay designboom
tom dixon with marcus engman, design manager at IKEA
image © inter IKEA systems B.V. 2016

 

 

 

the partnership between IKEA and tom dixon looks to challenge traditional solutions for comfort in the home through the development of new products for modern living. more and more people are living in smaller spaces, which makes the boundaries within the home move and dissolve. for many, the living room is now a place to eat, drink, relax and socialize—together, or apart through technology. together with tom dixon, IKEA sets out to explore what these changes mean for the future of living, and how to successfully resolve the tensions they create.

 

we can see big changes in how the space in our homes is becoming more fluid and we are exploring what this means for both the design and production of furniture. working with tom is exciting because he shares our curiosity and drive to find new ways to make things better‘, says marcus engman, design manager at IKEA. ‘our immediate focus is on seating solutions. this may seem simple but not only do we intend to build a system that makes it possible to create versatile furniture for modern living we are going to do it in a way that will have implications for the way that many products are made in the future’, continues marcus.

IKEA tom dixon hay designboom
the partnership between IKEA and tom dixon looks to challenge traditional solutions for comfort in the home
image © inter IKEA systems B.V. 2016

 

 

 

we are in the midst of a huge revolution in how people create, manufacture and consume – the furniture business has been slow to respond to the opportunities, but now is an amazing time to experiment in new ways of working. in this case in a fresh collaboration directly with the consumer, industry and global experts‘, says tom dixon.

 

IKEA and tom dixon will challenge the traditional way for production furniture… and much more. the resulting products will be launched in august 2017.

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