Choosing the 'Right' Materials
From thoroughly understanding clients' needs to exploring cutting-edge sustainable materials, Mads Melgaard, Key Account Manager, and Lene Schmidt Jensen, Senior Designer, share their reflections on the collaborative processes that set STUDIO 9 apart. Discover how their commitment to details and client satisfaction shapes the creation of truly remarkable brand identity products.
Understanding Client Needs and Tailoring Solutions:
How do you explore a client's specific needs and visions for their brand identity products?
Mads: At STUDIO 9, our process starts by getting to know our clients in-depth and what makes their brand unique. We don't just ask questions; we dive deep to understand what truly matters to them. By analysing their brand, values, needs, and ideas, we ensure we’re on the same page.
An essential tool we use in this process is our material library. It’s an extensive collection of sample swatches that lets our clients see and feel different textures and treatments and compare them against each other. This makes it easier to get inspired and visualise the final product while we get a better idea of their preferences.
We can also utilise MÅLBAR, a powerful tool for detailed Life Cycle Screenings. It helps us measure the environmental impact of materials, enabling our clients to make choices that align with their sustainability goals.
Customisation is at the heart of what we do. Every detail is tailored to fit the client's vision, and our wide range of material swatches helps kick-start the creative process, making it less overwhelming.
Lene: Twice a year, we launch new collections that reflect our latest ideas as well as new materials and product functions to inspire our clients in their choices. These collections are not just about following trends - they push the boundaries of what’s possible with design and materials. Our upcoming collection in September - EDITION - is a perfect example of this innovative spirit. It includes trims, packaging, 3D retail environments, and branded products designed with different concepts.
Smooth Collaboration Across Teams:
How do you ensure smooth communication and collaboration between the different objectives of design and production teams?
Mads: What makes us successful is how well our teams work together. We each know our roles and how to support one another to keep everything running smoothly.
When the design team comes up with a concept or a vision, our production experts closely examine it, making adjustments to ensure it can be made efficiently and to the highest standards. Honest feedback from the production team is crucial - it keeps the process effective and efficient.
Our global presence is another significant advantage. With teams in different time zones, we can keep the work going around the clock. For example, we might ask a question at the end of our day, and by the time we start work the next morning, our colleagues in China have already provided an answer. This keeps things moving quickly and efficiently. Local presence around the globe also gives us an advantage when looking for the most suitable suppliers of new and innovative materials and solutions.
Designing with Purpose:
What steps do you take in the design process to ensure that the final product meets both the aesthetic and functional requirements?
Lene: Our design process is all about making sure the final product looks great and works perfectly. We start by selecting the right materials and ensuring that everything is scaled correctly. Our production experts then offer their insights, often suggesting ways to use materials more efficiently or recommending more affordable or environmentally friendly alternatives.
Balancing Looks, Function, and Sustainability:
How do you balance sustainability using our design principles with cost-effectiveness in the material selection?
Lene: Sustainability is central to our approach. We work closely with our clients, offering them different options and helping them make informed decisions that balance cost and environmental impact.
Over the years, we’ve learned that sustainability means different things to different people. That’s why we don’t label anything as ‘sustainable’ - instead, we focus on what matters most to each client. Guided by our 12 design principles, we aim to create products that are built to last, easy to recycle, or multifunctional, depending on the client’s needs.
Measuring Success and Always Improving:
How do you measure client satisfaction and incorporate their feedback into future projects?
Mads: We’re dedicated to making sure our clients are happy. I can’t think of a time when we couldn’t find a solution for a client. We're committed to delivering on our promises, providing 3D drawings, material samples, and everything needed to ensure the final product is exactly what the client wants.
Lene: We’re a company that dreams big but stays grounded. In other words, we are ambitious and don’t shy away from complicated and big challenges. However, regardless of the task at hand, we want our clients to feel at home and looked after by us. We always aim to be a preferred and trusted partner. Their feedback is, therefore, essential for our continuous improvement, and we take it very seriously.
