In a society full of objects a young generation starts living light from a suitcase and it often crosses our minds that we have enough stuff. In regard to this designers and the world of design are closely related to producing more and more. There is certainly concern about this, but how to combine that concern with the desire to research, explore and create new objects in an industry that thrives on new and where being able to obtain objects for long is seen as an act of luxury?

Meanwhile design has a much more prominent position in society than ever before and there has been a shift: design is not only about objects anymore, but also about strategies for future developments. The profession has grown up, it can take action and set examples for new directions. Does design move from tangible to intangible results and can this be the new luxury?

How can design reduce and make sense? Can and should it deal with the ongoing noise that stuff creates in our lives?
- Does this mean the end of more objects, or are there good reasons to design yet another chair?
- Should design be minimalist and neutral for longevity or is that a matter of style and taste? And... if so: do styling & taste not play a crucial role in 'the idea' of luxury?
- Can reducing be done by choosing our topics and strategies well and more conscious and if so: what are the area's where design is needed and can make an impact?

The first round table conversation started off with looking at the status quo of furniture design, this last studio-salon will look into good reasons to design furniture and focus on design directions: the luxury of less, and future parameters for designers.

Start-up speakers:
- Summit (SE) publishers and podcasters Daniel Golling and Gustav Kjellin wrote an essay for Stockholm's Nationalmuseum: 'How We Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love the Chair.' Daniel will take a reflective view on the issue and talk about the unavoidable need for yet another chair.
- Tord Boontje's work is perhaps not the most obvious to think of when talking about minimalism or less. However as initiator of electrocraft he keeps his finger on the pulse of the latest developments in design and working for clients in the field of luxury, also on new strategic concepts, he will speak about his experiences.
- Jeremy Myerson wrote a lot about people-centred and inclusive design as professor & researcher for the RCA's Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design. In January he is curator of Design Museum's pop-up exhibition 'New Olds designing for our Future Selves'. Jeremy will talk about topical themes in our society where design can make sense and influence our future.

Moderator: Oliver Stratford, editor-in-chief of Disegno

Find a report on the evening here