IKEA Today

A glass table with speaker components, a screwdriver and a pair of scissors.

, 15.06.21

The art of good sound

Is it a speaker? Or is it an art piece? In fact, it’s both. Meet the designers of the all new SYMFONISK picture frame WiFi speaker – the latest addition to the family of products created through the collaboration between Sonos and IKEA.

Interviews

, 12.06.21

Respecting children’s rights at every step

What are the rights of a child? What are the responsibilities of a company? Is it only about avoiding child labour? We talked to Alinde Melin, the Global Human Rights and Children’s Rights Leader at IKEA, about what children’s rights are and why IKEA is focused on ensuring that all its business decisions promote the best interests of children.

A man inspecting technical equipment connected to hoses and pipes, with a white-tiled wall in the background.

, 11.06.21

Tobias on innovating showers to make a difference

Nearly one-third of the world’s population may face water shortages by 2025. In a household, it’s showering that consumes the most water – about 40 per cent. Hence, IKEA is innovating around water-saving solutions. The latest is a water recycling shower solution, which has just been through the first round of home tests. For Tobias Svanberg, Development Leader at IKEA, this is an important step to enable customers to make a big difference in their water use at home.

A dark room with a lighted booth with two gaming chairs in it.

, 09.06.21

Bringing the world of cyberpunk and home furnishing together

What happens when you combine gaming experts and experts on life at home? We sat down with Johnny Chan, lead designer at Republic of Gamers (ROG), and IKEA designer Jon Karlsson, to discuss how a collision of worlds created something quite unique: the much-anticipated range of furniture made for gaming.

High shelving with blue numbered signs in a warehouse, with pallets with packages and a forklift driving on the floor.

, 27.05.21

Using artificial intelligence for smarter demand forecasting

IKEA has developed an advanced tool that can significantly improve the accuracy of its demand forecasting. The tool uses artificial intelligence, and existing and new data to offer highly accurate forecast insights. The tool is currently rolled out in Norway. We talked to Peter Grimvall to find out more about the new tool and how it helps IKEA plan its demand and supply better.

Luis Gomez Barquin sitting beside two colourful rugs with playful patterns, and looking through piles of printed patterns.

, 18.05.21

Luis about putting fashion on the floor

To Luis, the hand-tufted rug technique is like painting on a white canvas but using dyed wool yarns instead of paint. We talked to the Product Design Developer about working with the colourful KARISMATISK rug, designed together with British fashion designer Zandra Rhodes.

A man at a table with a computer and crockery in front of him, plus two persons looking at soft toys placed on the floor.

, 06.05.21

Jorge on bringing out the inner child for designing toys

There is a child in all of us, or so they say. Jorge Omar Santoyo Henaine can vouch for that. The product developer has managed to not only keep his inner child alive but also brimming with creative ideas. We ask him how? Jorge says for each toy that he creates at IKEA, he asks the child in him – would you like to play with this one? If the answer is yes, he goes ahead with it.

Portrait of a man in glasses, plus coarse flour on a blue plate on top of a tray with a nugget-like food product.

, 03.05.21

Collaborating with start-ups for a more sustainable food offer

As one of the world’s largest food providers, IKEA has set a goal that 50 per cent of the main meals offered in its restaurants will be plant-based by 2025. Puneet Trehan, as part of a core team in IKEA, is now looking for start-ups that can help IKEA reach the goals and at the same time offer delicious and affordable meals.

A woman surrounded by colourful cushions with playful motifs, holding a pink cushion, plus a pair of hands folding paper.

Collaborations

, 13.04.21

Jewellery for the home

They both love to surround themselves with things that make them feel happy, empowered, and comfortable. We talked with Zandra Rhodes and Paulin Machado about self-expression, creating a home, and how the pleated metal jewellery and fabric Zandra brought to Sweden resulted in KARISMATISK products.

The art of good sound

Welcome behind the scenes at IKEA product development