Proving that it can be done

With their work “Impositio,” Marta Sowińska and Monika Żaczkiewicz have won first prize in 7R’s “Warehouse of Art: Young Art for the Planet” contest in the ergonomic seating category. Now they can tell us about their source of inspiration, the ideas behind the work, and what guides them.

What was the main inspiration behind this project?

Marta Sowińska: We were inspired by 7R’s aesthetic as a company—its simple shapes and industrial character. The industry in which the company operates provided us with fertile ground for exploring aesthetics.

Monika Żaczkiewicz: We also emphasized the crucial importance of ergonomics and the environment—and, above all, user comfort. Trapezoidal angles have been incorporated into the design in accordance with ergonomic standards and selected so that the seats are comfortable in any configuration. By far the most important aspect of the design is the ability to reposition the seat. Extensive research has shown that this is clearly a key ergonomic requirement. ‘Impositio’ responds to different needs, making it possible to change the way you sit and adjust the form of the seat.

Do nature and the environment play a significant role in your designs?

Monika Żaczkiewicz: Of course. With every project, we consider nature and the impact we have on the environment. At the Academy of Fine Arts, a great deal of attention is paid to these aspects. However, this poses challenges during the production stage. As designers, we can suggest a specific material or technique that might be more environmentally friendly. However, the decisions about which ones to use are made by the manufacturer. Also, environmental friendliness does not always go hand in hand with durability or ease of use.

Marta Sowińska: There are also additional costs associated with adopting techniques that make production more environmentally friendly and products more durable. Artists and designers can help raise environmental awareness by designing in innovative ways, thereby demonstrating that such an approach is possible.

What projects are you currently working on? What types of design do you enjoy the most?

Marta Sowińska: We are currently working on packaging and label designs. In the future, I would like to combine the knowledge I’ve gained from designing seats and packaging with biotechnology. I’m convinced that it is becoming increasingly difficult to make major changes to the technology we currently have. This situation could be changed by the technologies currently under development and their future application in functional design.

Monika Żaczkiewicz: Yes, you have to demonstrate that it’s possible. If new technology becomes widely adopted, these products won’t have to be more expensive than the ones used today.

About Warehouse of Art

The 7R Warehouse of Art “Young Art for the Planet” competition was open to students and graduates of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. Its guiding motto was “Technology, Ecology, People, Coexistence.” The competition required participants to create a functional art project with an ecological theme in one of three categories: ergonomic seating, murals on the side of a fire water tank, and an ecological 7R gadget. A total of 26 entries were submitted. The winning projects are available at7rwarehouseofart.pl.