Submission Deadline
Friday, September 27, 2024 by 11:59pm ET
Prototype Exhibition
‘Surface Impressions’
Going into its tenth year, ‘Surface Impressions’ is the latest edition of the annual prototype exhibition organized by DesignTO in partnership with Umbra. A dozen new prototypes by independent designers are shown each year at the Umbra Store during the DesignTO Festival. This year, ‘Surface Impressions’ invites designers anywhere to submit to this open call for submissions.
About the exhibition
‘Surface Impressions’ is a showcase of the interaction between a material’s physical properties and the creative processes applied to it.
‘Surface Impressions’ will run January 20 – February 21, 2025, overlapping with the annual city-wide DesignTO Festival, happening January 24 – February 2, 2025. All selected prototypes will also be considered for addition to Umbra’s growing roster of quality products, to be manufactured, distributed, and sold through the Umbra brand, with royalty. For example, The Bolo Planter by Simone Ferkul has been in the Umbra collection since 2018, and the more recent Cono Lamp by Allstudio is available for purchase globally. A dichroic lamp by Jordi Lopez shown in the last festival exhibition is in development.
Call for submissions
‘Surface Impressions’ is an exhibition highlighting the dynamic interactions between a material’s physical properties and the results of creative techniques applied to it. This exhibition invites designers to explore how materials can respond to different processes, leading to unexpected outcomes and applications.
As part of their commitment to sustainability and fostering design talent, Umbra is introducing a new 0.6mm recycled uncoated leather to their roster. With its paper-like thinness and flexibility, this material offers a unique opportunity for creative exploration. Consider how its physical properties can be leveraged, challenged, or even transformed to yield interesting results.
Designers are encouraged to integrate complementary materials into their project such as wood, metal, fabric, glass, ceramic, and other sustainable materials. Possible approaches include cutting, weaving, folding, and bending the material. We are looking for designs that emphasize the material’s innate qualities while exploring its potential for use in the whole environment we live and work in, blending form and function in unexpected ways. Each designer will be given a maximum of 5 square feet (0.46 square metres) of charcoal or brown-toned leather for fabrication upon approval of the submitted concept.
Material details
The material is a recycled leather product made from 65% leather fibre and leather scraps, 20% natural latex, 10% natural fat, and 5% tanning oil reconstructed. Click the images below to enlarge.
Design considerations
- An understanding of Umbra’s core values: modern, original, casual, functional, and affordable
- Anticipation or integration of technological developments
- Consideration of aesthetics, functionality, manufacturability
- A product that can be used in multiple contexts
- A product with a long lifeline and global appeal
- A product that you want, and that you can afford
- Incorporation of sustainable design practices by reducing waste and use of eco-friendly materials
Possible objects
- Barware
- Bins
- Baskets
- Bowls
- Desk Organizers
- Frames
- Furniture
- Games
- Gift Items
- Hooks
- Hydration
- Lighting
- Mirrors
- Mobiles
- Plant life
- Shelving
- Storage
- Table / wall decor
- Trays
Possible techniques and approaches
- Cutting
- Weaving
- Bending
- Folding
- Laminating
- Pressing
- Braiding
- Riveting
- Sewing
- Folding
All submissions must include the following:
- A description of the product (max. 150 words) — please be sure to include the following details: title, function, materials, dimensions;
- A short bio on you and/or your creative practice (max. 150 words);
- 2-3 images of the prototype, such as a digital rendering, drawing, or sketch (max. 2MB per image);
- Your contact info (name, email, phone number, mailing address), and website URL and social media handles (if available);
- Signed copy of Umbra’s Design Submission Agreement (in PDF format).
Deadlines
All submissions are due Friday, September 27, 2024 by 11:59pm ET.
FAQ
There is no fee for this submission or for participating in the Prototype Exhibition. However, if selected, you will be responsible for arranging drop-off and pick-up of your prototype to the Umbra Store at 165 John Street, Toronto, Canada at your own cost. Please coordinate accordingly, as Umbra and DesignTO are not responsible for shipping. Artist fees will be paid to designers selected for the exhibition.
There will be a sample at the Umbra store available for local designers to see. Once you are selected for the exhibition, Umbra will send you the material for prototyping. Each designer will be given a maximum of 5 square feet (0.46 square metres) of charcoal or brown-toned leather for fabrication upon approval of the submitted concept.
The prototype does not need to be made when submitting to the call. Designers who are selected will be required to produce a prototype of their submitted design and ship the prototype to arrive to Umbra by December 1, 2024. Additional details will be sent to successful applicants.
There will be size and weight restrictions on prototype submissions due to limitations on filming space (for marketing and promotions) and for display.
Size and Weight:
Fully assembled prototype (ships assembled and does not require assembly):
– Prototype must not exceed 95 inches by 46 inches.
Knocked down prototypes (ships disassembled and require assembly):
– Each disassembled part must not exceed 95 inches by 46 inches.
– The fully assembled prototype must not exceed 4 feet wide by 8 feet long.
– The assembly should require no more than 2 people.
All prototypes: Weight must not exceed 250 lbs.
Please note:
– If the prototype needs to be wall mounted, designers must provide the wall mounting hardware.
– If the prototype requires props to communicate its purpose and/or enhance its visual, the props must be provided by the designers.
– If the prototype requires power/electricity, please let the team know in advance.
All designers and students can apply.
The exhibition will open January 20 and run until February 21, 2025. The exhibition will be held at the Umbra Store, 165 John Street, Toronto. We reserve the right to modify dates and delivery formats if required.
Successful submissions will be notified by email mid-October 2024.
Email questions to adé abegunde, Programs Coordinator, at [email protected] with this subject line: Prototype Exhibition + your name.
