“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” These famous words from one of the best designers Leonardo da Vinci serves as an inspiration for most of my works. My design philosophy always drives me to focus on the simplest solution first.
The inception of my design journey started during my school days; I still remember the Sunday morning drawing class. Those drawing classes were the foundation of my design journey. But my formal introduction with design happened during my under graduation course in architecture at Jadavpur University.
Sujay Das
After finishing my graduation I joined NID for further studies in Industrial Design (furniture design). NID opened an array of exciting opportunities for me. It was a great learning experience which helped me fine tune my design direction towards user centric design and synchronisation between the design and manufacturing process.
“Fixo” was one of the first products I had designed during my NID days. An interactive piece of furniture for children, Fixo was made out of injection moulded plastic which is light weight and adjustable. It was based on the concept of the see saw .
Fixo
An interactive piece of furniture for children, Fixo was made out of injection moulded plastic which is light weight and adjustable
Post NID, I thought of starting my own studio but on the basis of the feedback I recieved from genuine quarters I postponed the idea and felt it would be precise to put the plan on hold.
After that I came to Bangalore and started working with an online furniture start-up. During the last two years, apart from my involvement in my present work place, I tried to participate in different design competitions. For me it was the key to understand my capability and limitation.
Pod
The Pod is designed to be used as public outdoor furniture
In 2014, I participated in an international furniture design competition called “Garden Unique“. My creation Pod was selected among 16 other entries submitted worldwide.
The Pod is designed to be used as public outdoor furniture. The furniture has four components. I tried to design each component separately not only to give it a complete look but also from a functional point of view.
Palla
Palla, a height adjustable bookcase consists of a modular shelf with flexible storage capabilities
“Palla“ was another product which I had designed for another competition. It was not selected but its a product which is close to my heart. Palla, is a height adjustable bookcase consisting of a modular shelf with flexible storage capabilities. The effort was to create a complete system to provide adjustable storage for the user.
It is observed frequently that a bigger book or a magazine cannot be fitted vertically due to height constraints. To solve this problem, Palla has been made where one metal rod is fixed with the tie member (circular member between two vertical posts) and it can be rotated and plugged into different grooves of the wooden panels (bottom surface) to get multiple heights.
Iktar
An accent chair, Iktar derives inspiration from
“Ektara“ a single-string instrument
My next furniture collection titled “Dhun” derives inspiration from Indian musical instruments. I like to listen to a variety of music; right from the instrumental versions to different genres of Indian folk, Bollywood and their western counterparts. The collection is a tribute to those numerous musicians who have kept me alive.
“Iktar“ an accent chair, which is a part of the Dhun collection was one of the successful entries at a competition organised by Godrej Design Lab & Elle Decor. This year Iktar chair and Bongoo was also exhibited in India Design Id 2015.
Ruby Chair
Ruby chair is inspired from the Hindustani musical instrument “Esraj or Dilruba”
In the initial stages I had designed an accent chair and stool called Iktar, which derives inspiration from “Ektara“ a traditional folk music instrument used in Bengal. Later on I added some more products to make a full collection. Ektara is a single-string instrument used by travelling poets known as Bauls in Bengal.
From a functional point of view Iktar can be used as a chair and also a stool. Two extensions from the back pole provide back support and can be used as hanger.
Iktar
A part of the Dhun collection Iktar can be used as a chair and also a stool
“Ruby” Chair and ”Bongoo“ coffee table are also a part of this collection. Ruby chair is inspired from the Hindustani musical instrument “Esraj or Dilruba”. On other hand Bongoo is a combination of different furniture pieces inspired from the “Tabla“.
Through my creative journey, I have always tried to focus on rediscovering Indian design through culture, city, architecture and craft. The search continues and in doing so it continues to shape my design process.
Contact
email: sujay.d@gmail.com
