Interviews

, 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.

, 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.

, 31.03.21

Rising like a rainbow

A few colours, music and a bit of heart can help us connect with others in more ways than we can imagine. IKEA co-worker Shin Suzuki did precisely that. He put his heart into creating a combination of rainbow colours and ENEBY speakers to show support for the LGBTQ+ community. What he created in 2019 will soon be available in IKEA stores for customers to take home and take pride in who we are.

Interviews

, 25.03.21

Linus on creativity and the importance of being an underdog

An ad stating, “The brain wants to have fun”, has influenced Linus Karlsson in more ways than he could foresee when he saw the ad some 30 years ago. We talked to Linus about his new role as Chief Creative Officer for IKEA, about athletes being super creatives and his secret goal for creativity.

Interviews

, 10.03.21

Friso on creating value-based designs

IKEA designer Friso Wiersma believes in keeping things simple. So, when we wanted to understand what makes him so wonderfully creative, he shared his two secrets on creativity. The key, for him, lies in understanding a need and then identifying the feasibility of the best idea to fulfil that need.

, 25.02.21

Per and Bastian on giving iconic objects a new function

Humans since 1982, Stockholm-based Per Emanuelsson and Bastian Bischoff, aren’t much for labels. Rather than calling themselves designers, artists or engineers, they want to be free to focus on the multifaceted nature of being human, in any way they like.

, 18.02.21

Stefan on basing his artwork on drawings

Wherever Stefan Marx goes, he brings a pen and paper. The Berlin-based artist draws all the time, wherever he is. Nowadays, he even has a small studio setup that he can take with him when he travels.

, 11.02.21

Putting the Allen key at the centre of attention

Tokyo-based 3D-design group Gelchop transforms no-name design products into readymade art objects – turning the original meaning or application on its head.

, 05.02.21

Design a home to get to the top of your game

Are you a streamer, or is gaming your study break of choice? The gaming world is not a homogenous one. When Sofia and Luis from IKEA, together with Republic of Gamers, workshopped with gamers in China, they learned what high-level gamers need, and what people want when gaming needs to fit into a corner in the living room.