The journey from TUMO Studios to Milan Design Week
Ani Sahakyan and Anahit Vardanyan are two young professionals who share a passion for industrial design. Despite numerous opportunities to cross paths, it wasn’t until TUMO Studios held an industrial design atelier in the summer of 2022 that they finally connected.
That summer, TUMO Studios invited Antoine and Youssef, designers from Exil Collective, to organize an atelier. EXIL collective is a Beirut-based creative platform promoting budget-conscious designs. This project was created as an invitation to change the way design is perceived in Lebanon and the Middle East. The atelier gathered students who were interested in industrial design, including Ani and Anahit.
Anahit’s design was a vinyl holder made from a single piece of aluminum. She aimed to create a product that reminded users of the packaging used for vinyl records. The holder is the size of two vinyl records and is delivered flat to buyers, who then fold it themselves along the perforated line to bring it to its final shape.
Photos Credits: Isola Design District
Ani’s design was a minimalist lamp also made from aluminum. Her design process placed special emphasis on easy production, minimalism, and the smallest possible packaging. The lamp is again delivered flat to buyers, who then fold it into a lamp.
Photos Credits: Isola Design District
On April 17, their works were presented during the “Under Design Lebanon” group exhibition curated by Ghassan Salameh for Isola Design District at the 2023 edition of Salone del Mobile (also called Milan Design week). The design week featured Lebanon-based designers, designer collectives, traditional and contemporary craftsmen, and craft supporting associations.
Photos Credits: Isola Design District
For Ani and Anahit, Milan Design Week was an unexpected opportunity that opened doors to new possibilities in the world of design. Through TUMO Studios, they were able to showcase their innovative designs to a global audience and connect with other designers from around the world.
Photos Credits: Isola Design District
When youth have the opportunity to explore their creativity and collaborate with others who share their passions, great things can happen.