1

Jan Kath: The Book

In his 25-year career, German rug designer Jan Kath has become renowned for the intense colour and meticulous craft of his hand-knotted designs. Showcasing more than 30 collections, this coffee table book delves into his inspirations and creative processes and features stunning photographs by Santosh Chhantyal, who spent months documenting every stage of the production cycle, from harvesting wool in the Himalayan mountains to the master weavers who realize Kath’s designs (and whose stories are told throughout) to the final products displayed in interiors around the world. Though the book is filled with vibrant patterns and textures that jump off the page, it makes clear that Kath’s rugs do more than just imbue spaces with beauty; they are also a medium through which he engages with politics: It concludes with an interview about his Rug Bombs series, which translates themes of war and violence into pieces that double as works of art.

2

Ask — The Nordic Way

When it comes to product design, the Nordic region’s reputation for Scandi style, quality craftsmanship and environmental responsibility is second to none. This podcast helps demystify how high-design goods — from fashion to textiles to furniture — get made, starting with the supply chain. Organized as round-table discussions between leading lifestyle and design brands (Kvadrat, Fritz Hansen, Vestre and more), it reflects the industry’s shift away from close-kept trade secrets and toward radical transparency and knowledge-sharing. Each episode offers specific recommendations to help brands of all sizes be more sustainable and build trust with consumers. Topics include the need to collect and share data, why timeless design is inherent to building a circular economy and how technology can support products’ longevity. While Nordic countries have set a high standard for design innovation, Ask — The Nordic Way demonstrates that they aren’t resting on their laurels.

3

Designed for Life: The World’s Best Product Designers

What makes good product design? Responses to this question have evolved with the times, and in the current digital age, the verdict is as nebulous as ever. “The product designer of today is less concerned with traditional classifications that have tended to sort themselves into near binaries: art furniture versus practical furniture, industrially made versus handcrafted, contract versus residential, formal versus informal. Instead, each constitutes one thread in a rich tapestry that is rapidly taking on dimensions,” says Kelsey Keith, brand creative director at Herman Miller, in her introduction. Nominated by an expert panel — including SaloneSatellite founder Marva Griffin and Jonathan Olivares, senior vice president of design for Knoll — the 100 designers featured in this volume (from veterans Michael Anastassiades and Patricia Urquiola to more recent breakouts Nifemi Marcus-Bello and Hlynur Atlason) represent 30 countries, reflecting the industry’s increasingly global perspective.