HIDN is a way of designing with an aim to add purposeful, obvious functionality, aesthetics or value to a design without adding obvious material. It is all about the hidden things you see and don’t see around you. It is a consistent exploration and search for possibilities hidden in material or processing to reveal a hidden shape, function, idea, efficiency, emotion or design feature. They are the hidden treasures, you unexpectedly discover while designing.
Approaching the design process with the HIDN concept, you look at products in a new way. Think of it as a natural step in the table of content for every line drawn and idea thought. Pushing the boundaries of the common use and reuse of waste, the fundamental principle comprises utilising and optimising material and resources at the beginning of a process and not after the production phase.
This essential principle is considered precycling. A guideline for the HIDN design language. With a precycling approach, you actively take initiative before the production phase, before the materials actually become waste. You optimise the materials and processing at an early stage while thoughtfully revealing the hidden possibilities. A cornerstone in waste reduction and a fundamental element of the HIDN design language.
In short, the HIDN design language is
Searching for hidden possibilities in material or processing to reveal a hidden part, function, shape, inspiration or design feature
A way to think outside the box, be innovative and unfold your creativity
Treasure hunting for the hidden gems and surprises
Design with a precycling approach; optimising material and process in an early stage
Getting more out of a product than initially thought
Adding obvious functionality, value or aesthetics to a design without adding obvious material
A responsible and considered take on minimalism
A naturally integrated step in your table of content when designing
Meet Roel Vandebeek
The creative mind behind HIDN
Humour, user-centred design, tactility, efficiency, sustainability, semiotics, thoughtfulness, simplicity with a touch of originality. These are some of the aspects reflecting the work of the experienced, Belgian designer and artist Roel Vandebeek. He highly values engendering interaction through design. Encouraging to enter a dialogue.
Since the very beginning of his career, he has explored various spectrums within art, industrial design and interior design. This holistic view of design projects made Roel establish the creative hotspot Dêpot des Arts. This constellation allows him to commence and delve into projects with uncompromising possibilities and wholeheartedly ways to solve the case.
With his creative mind, he is the driving force behind the HIDN concept. A design language brought to life with the aim to approach waste reduction differently while creating purposeful designs. “I hope that this new way of thinking and handling of new products can be seen as an inspiration to think about other issues in the same open way. I believe that the role of designers more and more is to reach new ways of solving problems rather than it is only designing new things,” Roel Vandebeek explains.
"Let the HIDN concept form a way to think out of the box, be innovative and unfold your creativity"
- Roel Vandebeek
Are you the next HIDN designer?
The HIDN design language is intended to inspire and motivate design minds in the process where a design comes to life. Based on this drive the very first HIDN design competition is now open. A space with room to challenge, play and flourish.
BACK TO OUR ROOTS
The way we collaborate with designers is eminently near and dear to our hearts. And it has always been. Therefore, it makes beautiful sense to us to cherish the creative students and upcoming design talents by welcoming their new thoughts and inventive views on future design. To stay true to our founding vision of establishing a design collective of newcomers to give something back.
With HIDN design competition, we encourage you to become a part of the HIDN collective. Discover and explore the hidden gems and you will bring surprising, engaging and original products to life. To illustrate tangible examples, we took the first small step and revealed our very first HIDN products. We are can not wait to see the flourishing designers' take on the HIDN concept.
THE HIDN
COLLECTION
To illustrate tangible examples, we have taken the first small step and revealed our very first hidn design suggestions.
BOOKND
Booknd appears as a true demonstration of a fundamental pillar in the HIDN design language: Getting more out of a product than initially planned.
To obtain its basic function efficiently, a bookend needs a certain mass. A mass that, in this case, hides an additional piece, you can take out and use for a second bookend. Giving you two individual products instead of one without adding any additional material. With the HIDN approach, the Booknds both optimise the material and process while illustrating a transparent connection. Although the Booknds are separated by books, they are visually connected, which strongly enhances the unity of the objects. Demonstrating the HIDN design language in a tangible and perceptible way.
FLOWR
There are a lot of latent possibilities hidden in fundamental, basic shapes, waiting to be revealed. Based on the archetypal silhouette of a vase, the inspiration for Flowr emanated. With an aim to add an ingenious, purposeful function while enhancing the visual aesthetics, the idea of integrating a flower divider arose. Not as a separate element but by simply taking the material from the vase and form itself.
As a natural integrated step in the production process, the ceramist can effortlessly cut off one or two rings from the top of the finished traditional vase to reposition them at an oblique angle. A design feature that allows you to arrange individual stalks or fascicles of flowers in a vivid yet defined way. This added value is what the Hidn design language is all about.
BOOKLGHT
As the name refers to, Booklght unites a bookshelf and a lamp in an honest and transparent way. Subtly merging two common functions. Booklght illustrates a different take on the HIDN design language. By implementing the HIDN approach as a natural part of the design process, the opportunity for integrating a lamp into a shelf was revealed to the designer. He found a hidden idea to add a new function. The result is a playful and distinctive design that leaves you with a moment of wonder.
Made from the same piece of metal, the additional material, that has been added to form the lampshade, is added at the right moment of the production phase to optimise the process. Also, with this combination of two products in one, there is only one production, one packaging and one transportation.
TABL
Have a look at Tabl. Can you spot the hidden part? A circular part of the classic cylindrical base has been cut out and transformed into a functional tabletop. Consequently leaving a round, open space in the foundation. Creating a strong visual silhouette. With this playful and tangible approach, we efficiently optimise the material by providing the design with a new function without adding additional material. We deliberately optimise the production process as the laser cutter can create the base and top simultaneously. And we responsibly reduce waste in an earlier stage as the shapes from the opening and the top recur.