Gaining success as a furniture designer is not just a matter of coming up with the right product. It is also a matter of understanding the market and fitting in with the team of manufacturers, retailers, advertisers and consumers. This is what Hans Sandgren (see R & F, May 2001) has experienced with his recent break-through on the Chinese market.In 1998, he took off for Beijing, having been selected to visit QM Furniture. They quickly got along very well and before long he had developed the first prototypes. Production followed. It was not long until the collaboration also led to another assignment: to boost the rather out-dated company buildings of QM Furniture. This theme was later taken up by Henrik Glahn, Glahn & Jäpelt, Retail Designer, in connection with a radical alteration of the interior of the stores. At the same time, the external facades were transformed from dull, grey concrete to a totally black appearance. Facades and technical solutions were also developed by Glahn & Jäpelt, Retail Designers.The collaboration has already had positive results for QM Furniture, now being a leading furniture manufacturer on the Chinese market. And all the resulting new projects have also boosted Sandgren Jakobsen's own small company to the extent that he has had to employ two full-time architects in order to meet the demand for developing new pieces of furniture. He has been asked to work entirely for QM, but refused on the grounds that his work with Danish manufacturers is equally important to him.There is no big secret in becoming a successful designer! According to Hans Sandgren, it is a combination of luck and belief in what you are doing. And equally important: you should not be afraid to ask for help in areas you are uncertain about. For the moment, Hans has plenty to do, developing his collaboration with the companies he is now engaged with - but one never knows what turns up?

Source: " Rum og Form"