U for Unique
In one way or another we all love uniqueness. But what is truly unique? What makes a product unique? The brand? Saying that something is branded, means affirming its uniqueness? Or is there something else that determines what is truly unique? In this article we will look at uniqueness through Concepts by Braida’s lens.
Understanding the customer’s request
Understanding which seating the customer desires and how he wants to create it is the first step towards the search for uniqueness. For this reason, it is essential for us to stand side by side with our customers throughout the process. In this way, we are able to understand their requests and expectations.
The reason that leads us to this investigation is very simple: we aim to find out what the customer wants us to create. You may be wondering why… simply because for us what makes a product unique is the customer himself and the project he dreams of.
From our point of view as producers of seating and furnishing complements, the search for uniqueness is a process. Our specialty, in fact, is precisely that of personalising a product and making it unique, that is to say conceived, designed, created and built specifically for that customer according to his wishes.
The search for uniqueness: a tailor-made process to create the chair of your dreams
Attentive listening to the customer’s request, critical analysis of the product and know-how are essential elements to achieve this. Once the request has been processed, we are ready for the next step: designing.
In this phase, our role is to become consultants, in other words, to offer our technical expertise in the field of seating, in order to give our customers a tailor-made experience. Making the desired product exactly as the customer dreams of is not always easy because there are numerous aspects to take into consideration. These aspects should be foreseen during the design phase.
Can the product be made like this? Is it suitable for the type of use it is meant for? These are just some of the many questions we ask ourselves every time. Where the answer is no, then it becomes necessary to find a compromise by proposing feasible alternative solutions that are not in conflict with the customer’s expectations.
Problem solving skills, innovation and the ability of thinking outside the box, are therefore essential in order to meet the customer’s expectations.
How to personalise a chair?
There are several ways to personalise and make a seating unique. Sometimes we start from an existing chair model, and we make some changes related to the fabric, to the shape of the backrest or the shell and various components such as frames, armrests, feet, wheels and so on and so forth.
However, when dealing with design or high-end chairs, we start from a real drawing made by an architect or an interior designer. In this case, we take care of evaluating the feasibility of the project by identifying any changes to be made and then we transform it into a concrete and usable product, always with the utmost fidelity to the original design.
The uniqueness of a customised project: a concrete case
We recently took care of the implementation of a project for an important chain of starred restaurants. The architect requested totally customised shapes, sizes and finishes with very few margins of tolerance on the specifications required by the project.
For example, we made a one-piece 486 cm long benches, a size that tested both our technique and our muscles!
The tables have also been personalised and equipped with a sound-absorbing system. The tops, made of zebrawood laminate, were then inserted into black painted metal frames and positioned on partially black and partially copper painted metal bases.
The chairs were then combined thanks to special finishes: glossy lacquered wood for the wooden parts, partly black and partly copper colour finishes for the metal parts. And tables equipped with a sound-absorbing system.
In constant search of uniqueness
We never stop looking for uniqueness. Unique is something that characterises us and represents who we are. Unique is something special. It’s a small detail or a small imperfection. Unique is something that distinguishes us from the crowd.
Likewise, a personalised product is unique. Because it tells a story. A story that contains the stories of all the people who contributed to ordering it, designing it, creating it and making it happen. A product is not necessarily unique because it belongs to a brand. It is unique because it is tailored-made for you.
Contact us to find out more.
