The Dwell 24: Studio NAVET
The friends behind this design studio rely on the "magic" of their collective to make beautiful (and practical) objects.
Like most great ideas, NAVET’s first product was birthed at a fabulous party, where scattered platters for snacks and beverages were the centerpiece. That display evolved into the studio’s powder-coated metal clamp tray, which can be fastened to shelves or tables to add a second surface. NAVET stands for New And Very Exciting Things, which is exactly what friend group Lina Huring, Maria Johansson, Helena Svensson, and Cecilia Wahlberg came together to create when they were on the interior design team of a retail company and wanted a creative challenge of their own. "We always had a 360 approach. The clamp tray was a product, but it was made in the context of an event," says Huring. Now the group, based in Stockholm and Milan, is also interested in creative direction and interior design projects—and good parties, of course.
Read the full Q&A with NAVET below.
Hometown: We live and work in Milan/Stockholm.
Describe what you make in 140 characters... We are a multidisciplinary design studio with expertise in product, furniture, and interiors as well as sustainable concept development.
What’s the last thing you designed? A theatre, a public art piece and a shelf.
Do you have a daily creative ritual? Since we are spread out we get in touch and check in on each other every day. This is the most important creative tool we have. When we start a new project, we usually start brainstorming together, setting the outlines of the project, which we then keep challenging throughout the process.
How do you procrastinate? We blame business administration for everything.
What everyday object would you like to redesign? Why? We would like to redesign the system of sourcing and getting rid of building materials for interior design projects. We also enjoy very much designing tableware because they have such a social context and can change the mood of a group.
Who are your heroes (in design, in life, in both)? Some of our heroes are Karin Larsson (who was a Swedish artist and designer married to the more famous Karl Larsson), Charlotte Perriand, and Gaetano Pesce.
What skill would you most like to learn? Patience.
What is your most treasured possession? Our collective is what makes the magic, we build on each other's ideas in order to elevate them.
What’s your earliest memory of an encounter with design? Barnstol Hokus-Pokus.
What contemporary design trend do you despise? The "Color of the Year" is a very strange thing to suggest for interiors and objects that should last a lifetime and beyond.
Finish this statement: All design should... Have a reason of being.
What’s in your dream house? All our friends, lots of art, a big garden, a dirty workshop and a huge wine cellar.
How can the design world be more inclusive? Design education is expensive. The way to become more inclusive is to start there. Even if they would be free it takes a lot of privileged confidence to choose the path of design.
What do you wish non-designers understood about the design industry? The huge implications and domino effect of changes in building projects.
You can learn more about NAVET on Instagram.
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Top Image: Courtesy NAVET