Sigga Heimis

Sigga and group

Workshop

Prototyping

Final project

Reinventing the Icon

“When does an icon become an icon? Why does an icon become an icon? What makes the difference between a product that gets lost in the ocean of the millions of things we produce and the few that attract all the attention and glory and seem to live forever?” With these questions in mind, reknown IKEA designer Sigga Heimis began her Boisbuchet Workshop with a presentation and discussion. She asked participants to think about the concept of “icon” and sketch their initial reaction to the word. Though answers varied from the Rolex watch to the Volvo station wagon, each object represented a unique presonality, lifestyle, or emotion.

Drawing on her personal experience, Sigga then introduced a series of the best-selling IKEA furniture pieces. In production for many years, most of these pieces are now so recognizable that they are defined as icons. Day 2 of the workshop began with the delivery of these pieces to Boisbuchet. Each participant was randomly assigned one product and asked to study its function, personality, and aesthetic, while thinking about possible transformations of this “icon”. Intense sketching began in the afternoon and by evening the group was ready for discussion and critique of their initial ideas. Some participants were inspired by the function of the object, while others concentrated on injecting the object with their own personality.

Long days of chopping, painting and welding in the workshop ensued and by Day 5, the group presented a completely transformed IKEA collection. Lockers became bathtubs, shelves became lamps, each project pushing the limits of material, form, function, and expression. With a giant smile on her face, Sigga beamed and congratulated the entire group, excited to return home and present the inspiring transformations to IKEA.