Designers are increasingly manufacturing their own limited-edition products rather than waiting for brand or gallery partnerships. Dezeen editor-at-large Amy Frearson looks at what is driving this shift.
Many young designers are becoming entrepreneurs, using small-batch production to create objects that can be sold directly to consumers.
A visible sign of this is the "shop" page that can now be found on the websites of up-and-coming talents such as Jaclyn Pappalardo, Andu Masebo, Nicolas Erauw, Paul Coenen and Tim Teven.
Self-production offers more creative freedom and a faster turnaround, but it requires up-front investment and comes with greater risk. So why are more and more designers choosing it"
Tiento, a wooden stool/side table inspired by the cajón flamenco, is the first self-produced product from Jorge Penadés. Photo is by Asier Rua Jorge Penadés saw it as an opportunity to make his work more affordable. The Madrid-based designer just launched his first self-produced piece, a wooden stool/side table inspired by a musical instrument.
"Friends would ask me, when are you going to design something that we can afford"" he told Dezeen.
"Brands often sell through distributors who take 50 per cent of the retail price," he explained. "If you manage to cut out the middle man, you can get a much better deal."
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