Three questions to Chris Martin

English designer Chris Martin is co-founder and chief designer of the Stockholm-based furniture company Massproductions. Together with Magnus Elebäck, he develops modern, high-quality designs that are produced in series and shows that mass production is not exclusively negative if it is carried out with care. As part of the Stockholm Furniture Fair, they have now presented an extension to the "Dandy" collection with a 3-seater sofa.

2/21/2024

Anna Moldenhauer: How can high-quality furniture be produced in large quantities?

Chris Martin: Producing in large quantities allows you to invest in tooling and fixtures – the very things that ensure high quality products. Many of our favourite things in life are mass-produced, but maybe we just ignore that somehow and continue to falsely connect producing in volumes to cheap, throw away design.

The furniture and accessories designed by Massproductions are clear, pragmatic, with a contemporary touch. What is important for you to convey with the design?

Chris Martin: I like products that are straightforward and show what they do without explanation. Its important that products have good function, with an appropriate use of materials and are streamlined for efficient production.

Dandy 3-seater sofa
Photo: Massproductions

What is a challenge for you in terms of design?

Chris Martin: To achieve what I mentioned above, but without being boring! If you just follow “the rules” then you can be in danger of being that. The challenge is often to set myself the right brief, have the right ambitions to make something worthwhile. Then of course there is the second challenge to make the idea a reality.