2020/21 Mazda Design Experience

‘Simple is the new sexy’ could sum up the results of the latest Mazda competition. The winner of the 11th Mazda Design Experience 2020/21 is Martyna Piątek with her ‘for/rest’ design. Its impact stems from its simplicity, clarity of the message, and the inspiration to get in touch with nature. The designer has received a prize of PLN20,000 and a DesignNature Dot honourable mention.

The jury tasked the Mazda Design Experience 2020/21 finalists with designing and producing the prototype of an innovative product of a high aesthetic quality and use value, intended for the user’s physical and mental recreation. The design had to incorporate a specified material: natural cork, which is completely biodegradable, renewable and recyclable. Using recycled cork would be an additional advantage.

The designs and prototypes were assessed by the competition jury: Jo Stenuit, director of the Mazda Motor Europe Design Centre, Anna Grużewska, Editor-in-Chief of the Czas na Wnętrze magazine, and outstanding Polish designers: Tomek Rygalik, Alicja Patanowska and Agnieszka Bar.

The jury emphasizes the simplicity and truthfulness of the winning design. Its minimalism, naturalness and functionality refer fully to the new definition of luxury that is utmost comfort, being offline and in touch with nature. As an object for recreational use, recyclable and made in a sustainable way, for/rest totally meets all criteria of the competition. The jury has also appreciated the fact that the author created, which is rare, a new product category.