Wellness Laziness

Design

INTRODUCTION

Wellness derives from the English words wellbeing, fitness and happiness.

As with most global trends in pop culture, the term wellness is not translated into

other languages. It is associated with a variety of services, goods and food products,

promising a feel-good effect and aiming for passive recreation. The changes

in demographics, new strategy developments in health care and evolution

of technology all influence the wellness trend. It seems that what people once

achieved by relaxing at home on their couches, is nowadays only possible through

consumption: vacations at Ayurveda centres in Sri Lanka, futon beds and salt lamps

in Lama monasteries or listening relaxation CDs and drinking Icelandic bottled water.

This is the moment when Wellness and Design meet on a banal –

but still legitimate – matter.

Designers provide their services to companies that are involved in the trend. However

recently the trend itself changed some designers attitudes: Slow Design and Healing

Architecture – to name but a few representative movements that might be part

of the next paradigm shift.

The exhibition ”About Layabouts“ presents different perspectives on the topic

of wellness. A group of students prepared an installation based on their understanding

of wellness: ademand for a little more laziness.

Michael Vasku

ABOUT LAYABOUTS

A transdisciplinary team led by Michael Vasku (Vasku&Klug architects) has created

an exhibition, which brings the concept of wellness and home together. Traditional

central European stoves inspire the exhibition design. In the Czech Republic, there

is a special word for a lazy person – ”pecival“. It literally means a person who lies

down on a masonry stove and does nothing. Masonry stoves were historically

the centre of every household. They provided warmth and served as a place to cook

or even to sleep practically all family life happened around a stove. Therefore

masonry stove is a centrepiece of this installation. The exhibition’s aim is to provide

a glimpse of that feeling to the visitors in Milan, while it inspires spectators to relax

and be lazy in that hectic atmosphere of the Milan Design Week. Generally

the exhibition raises the question whether a little more laziness wouldn’t make

us a little healthier and happier? This happens of course only if one does not regret

but really enjoys the time when being a layabout. The presented exhibits

are concepts of products, which help to consciously enjoy laziness

for the purpose of regeneration.

Join us and become a layabout for a little while!

WWW. ABOUTLAYABOUTS. COM

ABOUT FACULTY

FACULTY OF MULTIMEDIA AND COMUNICATIONSTomas Bata University in Zlin is a dynamic higher education institution comprising

six faculties that cover humanities, natural sciences, technology and art.

The Faculty of Multimedia Communications focuses on graphic design, spatial design,

advertising photography, industrial design, marketing communications, audiovisual

arts and fashion design. Its students regularly win prestigious international accolades

including Cannes Young Lions and the Red Dot Design Awards.

About Layabouts is the second exhibition presented at Milan Design Week. Last year

students created gingerbread installation called Bite Me Milan for Czech Centre.

(www.bitememilan.com)

WWW.UTB.CZ/FMK

EXHIBITS

SPA CUPMARTIN MIKEŠ

The design of this spa cup is similar to the traditional spa cups produced in the Czech

Republic from 16th century. Yet it offers functional innovation and alternative

use as a water pipe. The shape is designed for easy holding, lazy walking

and comcortable fit in a pocket.

DRINKIEVERONIKA VAŠÁTKOVÁ

You cannot call yourself a layabout if you have not been to spa yet. Drinking mineral

water from natural springs during the lazy walks along the colonnade is just great.

Drinkie’s design has been inspired by the shape of a heart. Due to the tapering shape

you can easily sip the mineral water without any contact with your teeth. Drinkie can

be hanged on the neck as a piece of jewellery.

BOWL IN WIRESPETR SEHNOUTKA

Inspired by architectural features of Gabion, this bowl is a perfect decoration

for your interior as well as a perfect place for fruits and vegetables. The bowl is also

weather resistant and it can serve as an unusual flower pot or a small fireplace.

The bowl is made of galvanized stainless steel wire filled with natural pebbles.

The bottom of the bowlis covered wit rubber to prevent it from

leaving furniture marks.

THE CUBEDANA VRÁNKOVÁ

Fruit bowl The Cube can be used in all kinds of interiors, where the empty bowl can

serve as a decorative element. Its core consists of rectangular wire prisms of diffeing

sizes which can form a large number of compositions. Due to the minimalistic curves

of the bowl, organic shapes of fruit are put in the centre of attention.

COFFEE SETVOJTĚCH MITURA

This coffee set can be recognized by its clear and simple lines. The simple shape

of cup enables you to enjoy your cup of coffee without curves and ornaments.

Favourite activity of all layabouts has been brought to higher level with a touch

of elegance. Wooden saucer is in contrast with white ceramic glaze of a cup.

TEETÄ/ TEA INFUSERLAŠUTOVÁ DANA

The collection of porcelain tea filters respects traditional technique of tea making

as well as a significant place tea has in life of every layabout. Variable design enables

you to prepare either a larger volume of tea or just a small mug just for you. You can

even hang your filter on the edge of the mug and remove it easily and just in time.

Two ways of use are reflected also in the design of the filter. Cold and elegant

porcelain is in contrast with pleasant and warm wood.

WALL SEEDJAKUB VERNER

Wall Seed is small mural vase. It is made for anyone interested in bringing a piece

of nature to their home. The vase keeps flowers fresh as well as it serves as a flower

pot for herbs essential for cooking. You can take the vase off the wall easily

whenever you need to season your dish and then put Wall Seed back on the wall.

THE MINEVERONIKA VAŠÁTKOVÁ

Every flower we get, buy or rip off somewhere in the park has a different size

and requires different vase. This is not something for true layabouts. The Mine

is designed to allow youto place any kind of flowers in any of the holes. And once

you get tired of its design, you can turn it upside down and you have got a whole

different vase placed on your table.

LAZY VASEJAKUB VERNER

Lazy Vase is horizontal so it does not block the view of people sitting at the table.

Eye contact and freedom of hand movement during the toast were the main ideas

behind this design. Inspiration for the V form that opens into two holes originates

from cubism. These openings allow you to play with flower combination so that

you can never get bored by it. The lower centre of gravity also prevents the vase

from overturning.

JEWEL BOXONDŘEJ TICHY

Made of porcelain casting into plaster moulds, the bowls have two parts – the lower

and the upper. The shape is simple, oval bowls are made from a combination

of playful coloured fleece that serves as a mat for your jewellery

in white elegant porcelain.

CRYSTALSBAČOVÁ ADÉLA

Collection of luxurious jewellery combines carbon fibre, gold and diamonds into

triangular structures. Various structures merge into a complex piece of jewellery

with a unique design. The collection of necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings

represents crystallization, transformation, growth, decomposition and other

processes inspired mostly by nature.

BLIND FOLDSFRANTIŠEK DVOŘÁK

How do you like to laze? Every true layabout’s favourite activity is either sleeping

or relaxing with one’s eyes closed. The feeling of being far from reality is the easiest

way how to restart both your body as well as mind. The concept of eye mask offers

various possibilities of relax. You can cover your eyes and enjoy complete darkness

or you can upgrade it by adding visual projection. Design inspired by Czech cubism

will make you by far the most stylish layabout.

RAINMAKERMATIC VIHTELIČ

Every layabout loves rain as it means that he does not have to leave his cosy sofa.

Rainmaker is a table decoration that brings rain to your living room. It functions

as a sand-watch and captures the sound of dripping water using its shape

to enhance it to the sound of rain. The sound of droplets change by increasing

or decreasing the quantity of accumulated water. Once the upper part is empty

the rainmaker is simply turned upside down and it starts raining again.

OCEAN SOUND FANMATIC VIHTELIČ

The beach is a paradise for almost every layabout. The Ocean Sound Fan creates

a relaxing sound of ocean. A hollow spiral shell diffuser catches the sound of blowing

wind and turns it into a tune similar to the sound you can hear in a seashell.

The airtravels through the spiral, bounces to its walls until it finally escapes through

the front edge of the shell.

SMALL & SPECIALZDEŇKA FUSKOVÁ

The objects Small & Special are reflecting the phenomenon of the chocolate egg

Kinder surprise. The moment of surprise is when you get to the toy through

the plastic box of the non-transparent choc- olate. Here is the heart of the egg

transparent. We can clearly see what is inside but the surprise is the fact, that

the toy is not beautiful anymore. It is a hand-blown glass creature, fluorescent

monster levitating in the air.

FOLKLORELUCIE REGASKOVÁ

The glass skirt has been inspired by a traditional village costume which is different

in every part of the country. This dress is usually worn during feasts and celebrations

and passes from generation to generation as a treasure. Nowadays only a few

people know how to make it. The glass skirt is a tribute to the people who are still

preserving traditions of our predecessors. It is a tribute to the hard work, old times

and beautiful handmade production. The glass represents a fragile bond between

tradition and modernity.

WELNESSIEKAROLÍNA FARDOVÁ

Wellnessie is a silent companion you will appreciate both at work and at home.

It helps in times of stress, uncertainty and also with channelling ideas. Its gracefully

shaped curves will please not only your eyes but especially your mind. Porcelain

and wooden material variation of Wellnessie is completed with genuine fur from

recycled coats. Wellnessie is here for you - so take it, stroke it and love it!

ELLIPSISSABINA STRŽÍNKOVÁ

The concept of Greenhouse Ellipsis is based on simplicity and functionality. It has

wide applications, primarily as a small incubator for plants of all kinds, e.g. herbs

or small trees. Its small shape fits perfectly into the interior of urban apartments,

terraces or balconies where you can watch the entire plant grow from seeds.

The shape is inspired by an egg, which symbolizes the birth of something new.

From now on, everyone can become a gardener without a garden.

SYMBIO2SIS LAMPMAJA REPOTOČNIK

Being surrounded by nature has numerous positive effects on human body and soul.

However, if you are a layabout, you barely leave your comfortable sofa.

The Symbio2sis lamp was designed to bring a piece of nature into your home.

The lamp creates a pleasant atmosphere by the casting of light and shadows.

In addition, plants are excellent natural air cleaners. Additional light accelerates

photosynthesis and increases the amount of oxygen in the room.

INOM / LED LIGHTŠIMON SCHNEIDER

The collection represents various tube- shaped LED-based lamps. To achieve

flexibility and thus the variability of usage, LED stripe as a light source is attached

to a metal rod or a silicone strap in case of textile lamps. Body of the lamp is made

of transparent foil with graphic print or transparent textile material in a shape

of tube, filled with everyday pillow stuffing. As these lamps are soft, flexible,

unbreakable and sometimes even warm, they are perfectly suitable for children and

young dynamic people for everyday relaxing and fun.

PYRAMKMEŤ ANDREJ

Pyram is a series of table lamps designed to create a nice and relaxing atmosphere

in any interior. The playful combination of materials is not only aesthetically

attractive, but bending any side of the lamp individually enables you to regulate

the intensity of light. Pyram can be an intimate night-light, a playful children’s room

lamp or a unique decoration that creates a calming atmosphere in a living room.

MICROBEPETR VANĚK

This lamp is a paraphrase of a unicellular organism called protozoa that gets

its nourishment from the way it moves. Likewise, a Microbe creates energy

for it’s functioning by swinging from side to side. Design of the lamp consists

of a metal hemisphere, which is the center of gravity and also includes a diffuser that

spreads the light and creates an intimate and relaxing atmosphere.

MASSAGE SOAPLINDA KOCMANOVÁ

Massage Soaps are designed for home wellness. They provide both relaxation

and regeneration of the whole body. Thanks to massage points on both sides

you will achieve maximal enjoyment. Each of three soaps has a specific function

and it is used for other parts of your body. Soap A is for the blood supply

of the lower body, especially thighs, soap B relaxes and massages muscles and soap

C is for the overall regeneration of the skin.

MASSAGE ROLLADAM ŠTĚRBA

This unique Massage Roller is made of oak by traditional turning of wood. It has been

designed for an easy use for massage to provide a pleasant and easy way

of releasing tensions of the whole body from your neck to your feet. This Roller

consists of only two wooden parts without any screws in order to remain fully

natural and simple.

SHOWERHEADVOJTĚCH ŽÁK

The Showerhead concept offers a new innovative way of showering.

The showerhead attached to your hand makes you feel like the water streams

directly from your palm. The head is made of silicone to make it smooth to the touch

and ease of use. This Showerhead is applicable in any bathroom as well as in public

facilities, such as hospitals, nursing homes, spas, accommodation facilities etc. where

contact between a care giver and a patientis required.

HOME WELLNESSURANBILEG ALTANGEREL

Massage device relieves your feet after a busy day. The constant movement

on the soft rollers stimulates blood circulation in your feet. Not only you will train

your legs, in addition a dry skin subsides to the bottom. After a workout you can

remove silicone rollers and clean them. The surface of the rollers is adjusted

to dulcified human counteract relaxation and stress. Part of the apparatus Home

Wellness is a leather bag that is used for convenient storage.

SHELTERMONIKA ŽILOVÁ

What does the word ”home“ means and represents? For layabouts the answer

is the calm and the comfort, which looks like loose, stretched out of shape, pieces

of clothing people mostly prefer as clothes worn at home. The combination

of function and the shape of two different things: a piece of clothing and a blanket,

gave rise to the blanket that can be turned to a comfortable, loose garment.

FLEXKRISTINA ZEMANOVÁ

Footwear is designed as an easy fit with emphasis on the shape and structure

of material but also on the lightness and flexibility of the shoe and its ease of putting

on. To ensure sufficient flexibility, the sole is sewn only at the points where

the shoes and the ground are in touch; elastic band is placed only where

it is necessary and helps easier and simpler use. Due to modest balance in colour,

style and structure the shoes should be in the harmony and they should correspond

with flexibility of its users.

NEWINTAGEMARTINA ŘIHÁČKOVÁ

Footwear is inspired by the processes and phenomena occurring commonly

in the nature. For the upper part of shoes leather with holes and various defects

is used. The wooden platform is handmade and plastic shapes were created

randomly in the production and even more enhanced by the spontaneity with which

the shoes were created. Nature has always been a part of our everyday lives and

we have managed to live with it in harmony, listen and appreciate her.

This is an attempt to return to the traditional values.

WOODLENKA MLYNARČÍKOVÁ

Shoes called Wood are inspired by nature. Therefore wood, leather and moss

became the dominant material. The important aspect is also recycling. Wooden

platforms are made of exotic woods, which were waste left - overs from

the production of electric guitars. Although the outside shapes of the shoe looks

quite absurd and uncomfortable, using of moss inside of the footwear gives

the impression of a pleasant environment of the ”forest.“

JAPANMARTINA ŘIHÁČKOVÁ

The main inspiration for this footwear was Japanese clothing cuts, which

are characterized by a refined solution. Its 3D shapes are generated due to stapling,

stretching and folding surfaces. Thanks to materials like wood and coarsely woven

cloth, here is the evident reference to the production of the traditional

folk footwear.

CORALURANBILEG ALTANGEREL

It is not an accident that this footwear reminds you of the structure and shapes

of sea coral. This is a new approach to the appearance and function of the casted

foot- wear when the traditional form is negated and object covers the entire leg.

To come up with this form, the author had to experiment with chemicals to achieve

the desired result. The materials themselves were the greatest source of inspiration.

STRIPEURANBILEG ALTANGEREL

Model of women’s footwear called Stripe is a successor of the model called

Two in one. The main common feature is the platform and the absence of the heel.

When walking, one has to maintain balance and slow down and thus for a while

”pauses“ in today’s busy world. Wearing requires balance and concentration, and

upright posture. The name ”Stripe“ comes from the shape of the upper, because the

developing of the upper creates a continuous yellow line that is restlessly surging.

TWO IN ONEURANBILEG ALTANGEREL

Women’s shoe called Two in one is reminiscent of the traditional type of folk

footwear called clogs. The model consists of two parts, monolithic wooden sole with

two leather straps which after the manner of traditional clogs can be used

separately. The second part, a separate upper shoe is made from a single piece

of leather for perfect fit on leg. The main objective of our shoe is a return

to traditional forms of footwear and reconnection of man and nature.

CINDARELLAURANBILEG ALTANGEREL

Design of this indoor footwear refers to a well-known fairy tale ”Cinderella“.

Therefore the elements related to the main character are evident in the collection.

It consists of two parts. The first pair of shoes is woven from natural sheep wool.

It allows the wearer to feel comfortable and creates a comfortable at ”home“

feeling. The second pair has the soles with wooden balls. This footwear is intended

for home relaxing and massage.

TEAM

ABOUT LAYABOUTS TEAM MEMBERS

SPATIAL DESIGNPetr Daneš

INDUSTRIAL DESIGNOndřej Puchta

GRAPHIC DESIGNAdela Galbavá / Petra Koutná

SHOE DESIGNVeronika Jakóbková

ANIMATIONVojtěch Dočkal

PHOTOGRAPHY/ VIDEOVít Hašek

WEB DESIGNKvětoslav Bartoš

MARKETING COMMUNICATIONSJakub Šabata

COORDINATORRichard Vodička

SUPERVISORMichael Vasku