Design: Multi Award-Winning Designers Birsel + Seck

Birsel + Seck [Senegal]

[image credit: Teneo Storage System – Birsel + Seck]

Of Senegalese and Martiniquais descent, product designer Bibi Seck was born in Paris and raised in London, Paris and Dakar. In a career which incorporated twelve years spent at Renault designing cars for the French automobile manufacturer including interiors for the compact SUV Scenic I and II, Twingo II; today the innovative designer is based in New York where he established the product design firm Birsel + Seck with his partner Ayse Birsel, who was raised in Izmir, Turkey. First and foremost Birsel + Seck are problem solvers who focus on partnering with industry leaders to bring innovative solutions to the market.

The designs emerging from the award-winning firm encompass definitive ranges of home, office, automotive and retail products. In Birsel + Seck I see a company for whom creating products that adapt to a users lifestyle needs is high up on the agenda; this is reflected in the principles of simplicity, empathy and sustainability; defining factors which are at the core of Birsel + Seck’s work and follows a process of ‘Deconstruction and Reconstruction’, a tool that aids innovation. Birsel + Seck was the winner of the IDEA Gold award 2009 for the Teneo Storage System; a design comprised of 25 parts that when combined in different ways can result in 80 products from wall units, serving trolleys to islands and office workspaces. Available in a range of colours, materials and finishes the Teneo Storage System adapts to different environments and functionalities to help the user create a unique space or product specifically for their needs. The system can be repurposed over their lifetime should the users needs change, I would think ideal for a growing family or the changing needs of a business.

[Image credit: Taboo furniture range – Birsel + Seck]

Birsel + Seck’s projects include Taboo, an innovative range of furniture made from 75% plastic bottles and rubbish bags, designed by Bibi Seck and manufactured by Transtech in Dakar, Senegal. Owned by female Senegalese entrepreneur, Marie Jo Sanchez Girardon, Transtech are manufacturers of cisterns and septic tanks that use recycled plastic and were the ideal partners to produce the furniture. Formed of a table and stool, the Taboo collection is inspired by the daily lifestyle of West Africans when dining and relaxing, and can be used indoors and out. Available in a variety of colours, the colour of the furniture is dependent on the colour of the recycled plastic used. You can see examples of the Taboo furniture on display at the Museum of American Art (MAD) Global Africa Project; and at the PS1 MoMA Café in Brooklyn where they are the official furniture.

[Image credits: Giada – Birsel + Seck]

Another project has seen the creation of a 50+ and growing collection of kitchen utensils and gadgets for US retail store Target. The collection titled, ‘The Giada De Laurentiis Chef Collection’ embodies the fascination with celebrity chef style, seen in modern stylish pieces that are ergonomically designed for everyday use. The collection defines the balance of elegance with function, and with a focus on affordability, the items within the collection have been created to allow the user the flexibility of forming their own complementary sets or simply having a single item depending on their requirements.

…functional style and elegance that adapts to your needs.

Additional details:
For further information visit: www.birselplusseck.com