The designs from Jochen Schmiddem prove that style and usefulness are not mutually exclusive - they complement each other.
“Design is the realization of emotions in products.”
Jochen Schmiddem

Intelligent design, combined with consumer friendliness and high emotional added value - the philosophy of designer Jochen Schmiddem is clear: New products should always be more useful than their predecessors, never requiring an explanation, while simultaneously producing an emotional experience. This philosophy is the foundation of Jochen Schmiddem’s work, and it is paramount in the schmiddem design studio in Berlin. Always looking ahead, the design of the new generation knows no stereotypical paradigms and is internationally considered to be groundbreaking.
schmiddem gives products a personality.
 
Jochen Schmiddem’s progressive ideas have enriched the world of product design since 1990.
He first trained to become a furniture maker, then studied painting, sculpting, and product design before working in international design offices for seven years. The “Jack of all trades” was in many individual and group exhibitions all over the world, including Paris, Tokyo, Vienna, New Delhi and Singapore. In 1997 he founded his own studio in Berlin.

schmiddem designs are marketed worldwide, for example in cooperation with the best-known manufacturers of bathroom products and sanitary facilities. A familiar partner in this discipline is Duravit AG. The pool-bath Blue Moon, which was designed together with Duravit, the design market leader for baths, was voted #1 in the category of emotionality and functionality in a Finnish trade fair survey; the Finns are well-known for their expertise in the field of wellness. Furthermore, Blue Moon was awarded the Good Deisgn/Chicago award and the IF Hanover award. The shower Cocoon, designed for Hansgrohe, made it all the way into Hollywood in Spielberg’s film “Minority Report”.
But the bathroom isn’t the only place where Jochen Schmiddem lets his creativity run wild. The design studio has gained a great reputation with small, multi-functional concepts which simplify everyday tasks and make life more comfortable and harmonious. From a paint roller holder to a stylish web-pad for women to the refreshing milk dispenser, the imagination of this designer from Düsseldorf knows no bounds.

With the “Loom Living” series, he provides more lifestyle in house and garden. Two examples of evidence of the perfect combination of functionality and emotion, to which schmiddem is dedicated, are the Swing hammock and the Moskitoo daybed.

Additional partners from schmiddem design include Bette, Metabo and Tchibo.

Numerous renowned awards and nominations - both German and international - have been bestowed upon schmiddem. The selection as “Product of the Year”, the Good Design Award from the Chicago Athenaeum Museum, the US “Product Innovator Award” and a distinction from the Centre Georges Pompidou are just a few examples of this company’s international reputation.
 

Jochen Schmiddem
Creativity comes from the Latin term “creatio” - it is the ability to find sensible, yet unusual combinations. Another, very common definition is: Creativity is the ability to think and act productively while going against the rules. And this applies to Jochen Schmiddem. He is creative. At observing. At reading. While traveling. When he jogs around the Wannsee Lake with his dog. He collects things and contemplates them from all sides. Discards. Restructures. Contemplates anew. He combines things in new, unusual ways. At the end of this creative process there is functionality, paired with emotions. “Products have to have a personality,” says the trained furniture maker, “a personality which is oriented towards people’s wants and needs.”

For Jochen Schmiddem, products must communicate a message, they have to radiate emotionally. Furthermore, his product designs are a look into the future. Many of his designs are the result of continuous enhancement and change. The start of a product design mostly takes place inside the designer’s head. This requires time. In fact, time plays a very important role in Schmiddem’s life. His cooperative efforts, says Schmiddem, are based on two key points: “Trust and respect. This is the only basis for successfully building up customer relationships which are mutually satisfying.”

After completing his training as a furniture maker, Schmiddem decided to study painting and sculpting. In 1986, he switched to study product design. After receiving his degree, he worked in different studios for several years. Finally, in 1997, Schmiddem set up his own business in Berlin. This is where he continues to enjoy the freedom which he equates with the city.

According to Schmiddem, in addition to form, the use of natural materials and the further development of production processes will play an ever-increasing role in the future. Precisely the sanitary and bathroom equipment areas have experienced rapid development in recent years. The trend continues to individuals and their desire for more than just pure functionality: Towards regeneration and relaxation, towards indulgence of all the senses. And Jochen Schmiddem is convinced: This development is far from ending.

Schmiddem’s work has received the most important international design awards. These include the Good Design Award from the Chicago Athenaeum Chicago, an award from the Centre George Pompidou, the Grand Prix Respons Bain, the Frankfurt Design Plus Award, the USA Product Innovator Award, the Hanover IF Design Award, the Red Dot Design Award and the State Prize from Baden-Württemberg. In addition, his work has received nominations for the Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Interior Innovation Prize of the International Furnishing Show in Cologne.

Facts
Jochen Schmiddem
1961 born in Düsseldorf
Completion of classical education
1979-1980 Training to become a furniture maker
1982-1984 Technical college for Design, received Vocational Baccalaureate Diploma
1984-1986 Studied object design in Aachen, focus on painting and sculpting
1986-1992 Studied product design in Wuppertal
1992 Received degree from Professor Ulrich Reif
1992-1997 Experience at international design studios
1997 Founded Schmiddem in Berlin

For additional information as well as graphical material:

schmiddem Press Agency
c/o public link
communication & consulting GmbH

Yvonne Bonanati
Albrechtstr. 22
10117 Berlin
Tel.    +49 (0) 30 44 31 88 25
Fax    +49 (0) 30 44 31 88 10

E-Mail: schmiddem-design@publiclink.de
www.schmiddem.com
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