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.: What features have you introduced to support the modern work environment?
T.K.: The modern work environment emphasizes efficiency, flexibility, technology, and employee well-being, which translates into engagement and job satisfaction. Open offices promote communication and collaboration, while dedicated zones allow for focused work and creative meetings. Social spaces provide room for relaxation and integration.
Modern offices also take care of the environment, minimizing impact through sustainable practices and eco-friendly products, such as furniture. Snap is designed to support communication and relaxation while offering ergonomic seating that promotes productive work. Its design facilitates maintaining eye contact during conversations, making it ideal for meetings and work in both public and private spaces.
J.K.: They say the devil is in the details. What details in Snap stand out, setting it apart from the competition?
T.K.: Snap represents the next stage in a significant transformation in seating production.
Thanks to innovative solutions, technology, and recycled materials, our design redefines comfort, durability, and sustainability standards in the furniture industry.
J.K.: What were the biggest successes and challenges you faced when designing Snap?
T.K.: Our greatest success during the design process was creating exceptional comfort and a quick-assembly system that allows the chair to be assembled and disassembled without tools. This extends the product’s life cycle because parts can be easily replaced. Like in every project, we faced challenges. The biggest challenge was finding the balance between comfort and reducing our environmental impact. We wanted our chair to be extremely comfortable, which we achieved, while also being environmentally friendly. Polyurethane foam provides high comfort, but its overuse negatively affects the carbon footprint. In the fluffy version, we reduced the amount of foam, maintaining a high level of comfort by using lightweight polyester fibers. In the future, we aim to further improve this aspect to limit the use of hard-to-recycle materials.
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!