Makers of the future: Made.com's TalentLab launches homeware range by new designers — but you decide which pieces actually get made
Those that reach their funding target by October will go into production and be sold in the e-store.
The emerging designers behind the new furniture and accessories come from all corners of Europe, and not all of them are design school graduates. Some have submitted their first ever design.
HOW IT WORKS
1. Designers upload their ideas
2. Made.com selects the best designs
3. You pay a £5 deposit on the design you want
4. It the crowdfunding target is not met, you get your deposit back
5. If you want to buy it, you get 30% off
5. If you don't, your deposit will be refunded
BACK A DESIGN FROM CONCEPT STAGE TO OWNING IT YOURSELF
The ambitious and imaginative designs range from a raspberry red statement armchair and a Memphis-inspired clock, to a geometric gold watering can and a bench shaped like a wheelbarrow.
Space-saving solutions abound, from a flexible shelving unit to a minimalist grid wall display. See the full collection here.
Ruth Wassermann, design director at Made.com, described TalentLab as “an innovative way for consumers to have their say in what goes on the site and support emerging designers at the same time”.
She said: “TalentLab helps shine a spotlight on creativity, helping designers get a foothold in the industry and helping customers get their hands on new bold designs.
Here at Made.com, we will get a read on which pieces our customers love, especially ones that are daring and different.”
HOW DO I PLEDGE?
To pledge your support for your favourite design, simply visit the TalentLab website and pay a small refundable deposit of £5. Should the design go into production, you will be given the opportunity to buy it early with a 30 per cent discount.
If you fall out of love with it or still find it too expensive, no pressure — your deposit will be returned in full. Deposits will be automatically refunded to backers of unsuccessful designs.
HOW OFTEN WILL NEW DESIGNS BE LAUNCHED?
New collections will be released for pledging every two months, curated by Made.com’s team from thousands of entries (if you fancy submitting one yourself, it’s not too late).
Prototypes of shortlisted designs will be made and photographed for the crowdfunding store, with more than 200 budding designers a year set to see their ideas become reality.
Pledging for the first collection, Launch, closed at the end of June. Products that reached their funding threshold are now in production and will be ready to be launched on the site in November.
They include colourful origami tealight holders, an adjustable storage cart, a Brutalist-inspired scatter cushion and an elegant Mid-Century style dressing table.
The successful designs will take between eight and 12 weeks to make before arriving on Made.com. Delivery will then take up to seven more weeks. So, be prepared to wait for your chosen piece.
WHERE DID THE IDEA COME FROM?
TalentLab is an evolution of Made.com’s Talent Award, which first launched in 2013. This prize worked in a similar way, with customers rating submitted designers, but there was only one winner a year.
The last award went to Charlotte Petitpierre in 2017 for her Hiraki Table Lamp, designed to resemble a small moon held up by two arms. Its luminosity can be adjusted to suit your mood with a flat LED bulb emitting a soft light that spreads towards the edges of the shade.
The thousands of entries and tens of thousands of votes showed Made.com that the supply of – and demand for – fresh design talent is alive and kicking.