In today’s interview, we have the pleasure of speaking with Tomasz Kaniewski, the head of the talented engineering group at Flokk Design in Turku, who will reveal the behind-the-scenes process of creating one of Profim’s latest and most innovative products – the Snap chair.
Marketing Manager at Profim – Justyna Kasztelan (J.K.): To start, happy birthday! A big day: on your birthday, Profim, part of the Flokk group, is launching a new, extraordinary collection – Snap! What makes this product so special?
Tomasz Kaniewski (T.K.): Thank you for the birthday wishes. I’m delighted you remembered and thrilled to celebrate my birthday on the day we launch our new collection. Snap was created in collaboration with the Scandinavian design studio Note Design Studio. This collection is special because it addresses modern work trends and the urgent need for actions in response to the rapidly changing climate. Its unique design and engineering innovations make Snap exceptionally comfortable and environmentally friendly. I’m confident this product will bring joy and satisfaction to all users.
J.K.: Since you mention the designers from Note Design Studio, can you tell us how you divided responsibilities and how your collaboration went?
T.K.: Note Design Studio was tasked with creating an aesthetically-functional design that provides positive user experiences, based on the requirements outlined in the product brief.
Our role, utilizing our engineering expertise and innovative solutions, was to guide the project to success. At Flokk, we always prioritize human factors and sustainability, only then maximizing aesthetics, which we also did in the Snap project.
J.K.: That sounds fascinating. Can you walk us through the key steps from concept to final product?
T.K.: Our new product development process consists of several stages, starting with the creation of a solid product brief, which is crucial to the entire process. The first stage is defining the project’s goals and conducting market and competitor research. The project goals cover four pillars: user interactions (ergonomics, functionality, comfort), innovation, environmental objectives, and aesthetics. The next stage is the creative development of several concepts.
This is where we innovate. It’s a winding road we travel to reach our desired goal. We select the most promising concept, prototype it, and test it in laboratory conditions, refining the technical solutions. After prototyping comes market implementation, tool production, and preparation for mass production.
J.K.: Can you share a specific fun fact about Snap?
T.K.: During the assembly of the backrest parts, there’s a deliberate sound like a click, made by sliding your thumb and middle finger together. In the design process, we deliberately ensured that this specific sound would confirm correct assembly. We created the right interface between the seat and the backrest for this.
It’s a hidden piece of engineering, not visible at first glance. In traditional solutions, screws and a tool would be needed for assembly, but we don’t need tools. The assembly is intuitive. Moreover, this specific sound was also an inspiration for the product name, Snap.
J.K.: Thank you Tom for this inspiring talk. Once again, we wish you a very happy birthday and good luck with your further innovations. And now we invite you all to discover the Snap collection!