MEET A DESIGNER #6:
ZPSTUDIO
Often, it is the small details that set the mood and enrich the space — whether with exceptional quality, function, design, or a thorough combination of all. In this interview story, we dive into our emerging collection of interior accessories and introduce one more creative duo we collaborate with — ZPSTUDIO, as the authors of Babel serving stand for EMKO.
SPOTTING NEW DESIGNS
ZPSTUDIO is a design and architecture practice based in Florence, Italy, founded by Matteo Zetti and Eva Parigi. The duo and EMKO team got first acquainted in 2016 and instantly agreed to work on a new product together. "ZPSTUDIO caught our attention at the Italian design showcase in Valencia, Spain, with their great professionality and an item clearly matching our values and style," remembers EMKO Sales Executive Manager Inga Markovska-Malinauske. "Thus, we decided to include Babel centerpiece in our interior accessories collection, which by then was more of an idea than a real thing yet."
AMPLIFYING PRODUCT RANGE
"In the first years of EMKO, we were focusing on furniture and lighting solutions only, though we sure felt the need for smaller interior decor elements, too — not only to complement our photoshoots or showcases with our own products but also to offer a complete experience to our customers," says EMKO Founder Erika Markovska-Mikulskiene. "Considering materials and overall aesthetics, Babel serving stand seemed like a perfect companion for our Naïve dining furniture line.”
FROM THE SIMPLE IDEA — TO BEAUTIFUL FUNCTION
Babel serving stand was inspired by a children's game called Throw the Ring. Following the game's principle, the plates can be easily removed and used separately and then again mounted back onto the central pole to create a stylish two-tier serving stand for fruits, nuts, cakes, and more. For all the cupcake lovers — we recommend flipping over the plates to have a flat surface. From this simple idea, the beautiful and functional accessory for a modern customer was created, recently finding its market in Japan, France, and Lithuania.
CURIOUS HOW SUCH DESIGNS ARE BORN?
Let's take a look from the designers' perspective!
What is your favorite part of being a designer?
The possibility to say something that has never been said so far.
Where does your inspiration come from?
Inspiration comes from the constant observation of images, objects, current events, and people. When our attention is fixed on something, we start brainstorming, and if an idea emerges from this flow — we grab the pencil and draw.
How would you describe your style?
An honest mix of simplicity and flair.
Which aspects of design you give the highest priority to?
We usually start from discovering a material that eventually we fall in love with, and we do our best to stay true to it: its color, veining, grains, firmness, smell… Most important for us is finding the most generous and fascinating use of matter, followed by its application to form and function.
How do you know when an object is finished and needs no additional work?
It depends on the design process type and scope, and it's a delicate point indeed, but we usually feel when any further detail would mess it up.
What, according to you, is the role of collaboration in design?
It is key! Already being a duo, we play the role of sparring partner to one another, and so does anyone in the office. We also tend to join collectives and working groups with other designers and artisans that we feel a kinship with. Collaboration is always a way of growth.
Is there any particular message you'd like to convey by your designs?
We like creating objects that have the characteristic of suggesting multiple uses, with the utmost simplicity of gestures.
BLITZ QUESTIONS
Favorite work tool?
Eva: a ball-point pen (strictly black!).
Matteo: graphite pencil.
Best soundtrack for design?
Sounds of nature, electronic sounds, favorite movies' soundtracks.
Favorite material?
Any that hits our attention for its potential, regardless of being humble or disregarded.
Design-related content you'd recommend checking out?
We have a thing for books and art prints related to the avant-garde movement of the early '70s, the so-called Radical Architecture. And we also love the Italian magazine Inventario whose payoff sounds like: Everything is a Project. Not to be missed by design enthusiasts.
What is the closest thing to real magic? ✨
Eva: climbing mountains.
Matteo: sailing the open sea.