Smaga Projektanci is a studio specialising in industrial design, ran by Monika and Krzysztof Smaga. They base their work on passion and a carefully planned design process.
Monika and Krzysztof graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. They founded the Smaga Projektanci (which translates as Smaga Designers) studio together in 2011. They design products with both the youngest users and adults in mind.
The Circus! lamp combines simplicity and finesse. Designed to be assembled at home, this plywood structure resembles a merry-go-round with the figures of acrobats dancing alongside. The lamp, standing on three pastel-coloured legs, emanates warm light, slipping through the perforated lampshade. The designers left the assemblage and the decision about the final form of the object to the user. Thus, the process of construction becomes a part of the entire project, putting users in the role of co-designer. They can decide whether to keep the natural shade of the lamp or paint it in colours of their choice.
Smaga Projektanci have also engaged with the popular format of the game dominos, creating a novel version of it, suitable for young and grown-up audiences alike. They used the game to tell the story of the history of Polish automotive design. Dominoes are minimalistic in their design, with images of icons of Polish vehicle design printed in monochrome, and a blue polka dot pattern on the reverse. The set was created in collaboration with design critic Krystyna Łuczak-Surówka and illustrator Marta Taraszkiewicz. Thanks to the careful selection of the presented objects, the game allows its users to learn about the icons of Polish design of the 1950s and 60s in a light and pleasant way. In compliance with the studio's design principles, the dominoes were manufactured from eco-friendly materials, with special attention being paid to the quality of wood and paints used for decoration.
In the Chaos set, Smaga Projektanci play with the stereotypical notion of order. The furniture set, seemingly chaotic, based on irregular angles or at times even defying gravitation, is in fact a steady structure, inviting free interaction. What seems to be an impossibly tilted bookshelf can be set up in two different positions; thanks to the use of velcro, the chair's seat can be mounted at a selected height; while the coffee table has a double role and can also serve as a newspaper holder.
Embeded gallery style
display gallery as slider
Their Screen also allows a freedom of use. The size of this three-panel plywood structure can be adjusted according to the requirements of a given interior. The panels, bent like sails, resemble a rescaled origami figure.
Spinning Tops is one of the studio's flagship products. The designers make a reference to the tradition of children's toys, adding folk motifs to them. When in motion, the spinning tops flash the colours of traditional striped costumes (pasiaki) of the regions of Łowicz, Kurpie, Opoczno, and Kujawy. It was one of the projects for the Polish Presidency in the EU. Smaga Projektanci compare their works to never-ending stories which they perpetually amend. They also emphasise the role of a challenge as an important stimulant in their creative process. As they say:
Our work is our passion, each new problem is a motivating impulse. We treat every commission as a challenge.