Sebastian Jansson is a young Finnish designer, currently based in Milan where he is completing a training period at the Politecnico di Milano University. His continued studies have led to making his project experiences and research expand across Europe, and next year will be conducting his studies in Paris at Les Ateliers ENSCI University. .

Sebastian Jansson was selected for the 2009 edition of the Salone Satellite; a showcase dedicated to young international talents selected by a panel of experts. This year, he is exhibiting three objects: a chair, a lamp and something special for the kitchen.

One of Jansson’s more recent works, his geometric chair, has sourced inspiration from the structure of a coffee leaf. His in-depth study of the leaf has allowed him to extract structural geometric shapes, such as the triangle, pentagon and hexagon. Originally, this chair was designed to decorate the interior of a coffee bar - hence the coffee leaf - and further developed in Milan, gaining critical feedback form reputable personalities as Lindfors and Giovannoni.

A strong sense of character and personality emphasize the interesting aesthetic of Janssons modular lamp, as this time he has combined the use of geometric shapes with organic building principles. The Glo-Flex material, reflective and semitransparent, is supported by a structure of Velcro, which bind the hexagonal and pentagonal tiles together, releasing a warm light with a contemporary twist. The composition of these forms were influenced by the simplicity of a soccer ball, as it also reflects the playful yet refined nature of Janssons style. He is also experimenting with alternate joining methods and is currently testing a brand new material by Velcro ® - Ultramar ® Prototype, an 80% ready product.

Jansson’s range is further complimented by his steel cutlery set. Their deceptive nature and simplicity suggest a sense of mystery, as there is little reference to their specific task. There are many scenarios in which this object can be used, and their versatility makes them a design feature in themselves. Minimalism has been the driving force behind this creation and apparently, is as simple as a folded sheet of steel.

Marco Sammicheli

Design Editor, Publisher ZERO
April 2009

Product description

utensils_ Sebastian Jansson

TEMPUS are a set of kitchen utensils, incorporating a sense of multi-functionalism through their simplistic language. Their resting place was initially specific to the kitchen, but their discreetness and cleaver consideration of detail, forces a sense of ambiguity, and invites the user to handle with these tools as they please. They are made from a folded piece of stainless steel.

These utensils were one of the first products Jansson presented at University of Art and Design Helsinki. Whilst under the tuition professor Martin Relander, Jansson’s creations were said to be very ‘fast and dirty’, as time was not on his side. In the workshop, Jansson’s creations emerged in minutes, as he worked under pressure to submit his work on time. With his creative juices flowing, Jansson was able to complete the task by using only necessary details to fulfill the requirements. Following the assessment of professor Relander, the objects were considered to be the “peak of minimalism”.

Habitus_ bar chair_ Sebastian Jansson

HABITUS is a bar stool inspired by the coffee leaf, constructed form geometric shapes. With its sculptural appearance, Habitus gives character to a space and environment, inviting the eye to glance over its anthropomorphic structure. By studying the formation of coffee leafs, Jansson was able to re-create the stool through this intricate arrangement of geometric forms, whilst maintaining its aesthetic qualities and comfort.

The stool is made from is laser cut 1mm steel, folded and welded. Habitus has been developed and manufactured during Jansson’s time in Milan in 2008-09. It was originally designed to feature in café and coffee shop of Kaffa Roastery based in Helsinki, but is now represented internationally. Jansson has also created the brand identity and communication for this boutique coffee roaster.

CUMULUS This modular lamp is contemporary study of two materials- both placed in a foreign context. The reflective and semitransparent material delivered by the Philippine company Stavellan Inc. uses this material as never before. The light is deflected in six directions within a sphere, and diffuses the light in a spectacular manner, creating an optical illusion. The use of Velcro® Ultramate® as a joining mechanism, creates an extremely rigid framework as together it forms the skeletal structure for light diffusion. The aesthetic of the light has been inspired by clouds, as there is no limit to how this system can be arranged. Yet again, Cumulus is a reflection of Jansson’s geometric interpritation of the organic environment.

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