Promote collaborative design
A table with sharp edges – literally and conceptually – an insight into the design culture of tomorrow.
Reading time, about 3 min.
Project start: June 2006
Timeline: 8 months
In collaboration with: a23 – Axel Hildenbrand
Services: Ideation, Curation and Artist-Management, Industrial-Design, Project-Management …
Application: Flatbed printed and Laser cut tables – individual and on-demand
The Challenge
Individualization Meets Mass Production
How could we embrace the shift toward individualized products and rethink industrial production in a world where globalization and new technologies have made manufacturing more accessible?
By the early 2000s, access to global production methods was no longer limited to corporations. Independent designers and small studios could now design, develop, and market their own products powered by Web 2.0 and its community-driven possibilities, as well as rising e-commerce platforms like eBay, Amazon, or Etsy.
The Result
A Platform for Change
The «N'Table» Initiative wasn't just about designing a table—it was about reshaping design culture. In 2007, we took this concept to the IMM Cologne furniture fair, using the exhibition as a stage to challenge traditional production models and discuss change in design culture.
The project helped shape D3-Talents, an emerging platform for young designers and schools. It opened the exhibition to independent creators alongside industry giants. Over time, D3-Talents became the leading communication platform for the consumer market, bridging the gap between design visionaries and global brands.
For us, «N'Table» was just the beginning. It opened doors to future projects, fostering inclusive design and collaboration, and implanting the «D3-Loung» as a space for cultural exchange and future industry topics.
My Role
Inventor, Creative & Curator
Collaborating in the entire design and development process, co-create closely with internationally curated artists via the MySpace project «N'Table».
Team: Axel Hildenbrand, 423: Matze Lenz
Tools: Rhino3D, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Hand & Pencil
Skills Applied: Entrepreneurship, Curation, Artist Management, Visual & Industrial Design, Prototyping, Engineering
In short, the Process
Shaping the Right Circumstances
As much as this was an art/design project, it was equally about creating opportunities. Thanks to our previous project, PIT-GREEN, we had connections to manufacturers eager to experiment with new applications for their technologies.
The Table
An Object of Everyday Ritual
Few objects are as present in our daily lives as the table. We eat, work, and gather around it. We leave marks—sometimes intentionally, carving our initials into its surface. But in an era where industrial production strips everyday objects of individuality, where does personal connection remain?
With the «N'Table Initiative,» we turned an anonymous, function-driven product into a personal statement—an intersection of industrial production, art, and urban culture.
A simple, minimal table became a communication platform, much like the walls of a city in street art—a blank canvas inviting transformation.
A blank canvas inviting transformation.
But beware—these tables had sharp edges.
Insights & Impressions
Thinking Over the Edge
One of the table's defining features?
Its sharp edges.
Rather than dulling them, we embraced their presence, both conceptually and visually. The edges became part of the artistic expression, symbolizing the sharpness of new possibilities, both exciting and disruptive.
«Don’t push me ‘cuz I’m close to the edge I’m trying not to lose my head» Grandmaster Flash
Laser Cutting: Precision Meets Possibility
The idea of cutting wood as precisely as cardboard, without slicing all the way through, was thrilling. The breakthrough? Laser cutting multiplex plywood while preserving its printed surface. It opened up entirely new design possibilities.
But, of course, challenges followed—gluing the folded table posed unexpected hurdles.
Flatbed Printing: A Game-Changer
Who would have thought we could print entire 2x3—meter panels of any material with any paint? The potential extends far beyond this project, unlocking new creative and industrial possibilities that will continue to inspire.
What the project taught me
Accessibility fosters Collaboration & Innovation.
New technologies + creative freedom = innovation. Having the chance to experiment with digital tools and modern manufacturing was eye-opening. Curating artists, understanding their creative biases, and channeling their passion showed me one thing: when you connect with people who share a vision, great things happen.
What I Learned
- Explore and experiment—research technology, push boundaries, and combine methods in unexpected ways.
- Collaboration fuels creativity—empathy, shared passion, and co-creation lead to valuable products.
- Change is an opportunity—adopting new tech early opens doors to innovation and growth.
What I Would Do Differently
- The project was exciting, challenging, and meaningful. Showcasing it at IMM was the right call. But looking back, I'd push harder to make it market-ready and more sustainable—so others could build on it, not just be inspired by it.
- We also thought about a fully automated online solution, which would undoubtedly have been exciting to implement if there had been demand.
Final Thought
Sharp edges. Bold ideas. N'Tisch was just the beginning. 🚀
N'Tisch wasn't just about tables—it was about challenging conventions. A powerful statement about the future of design, art, and production—one where independent creators drive co-creation and unlock new markets.
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