The future of stationery. 2020 Venvstas Italy design competition.

The future of stationery. 2020 Venvstas Italy design competition.

What's on your desk and what will continue to be on it in the years to come?

Although we are living in a time where the bulk of our information is produced by computers, there's still room for the analog. Most of what we draw is on paper, calligraphy is considered an art and greatest designs and artistic ideas start as a small sketch or a note of some kind on a piece of paper. Venvstas,   https://www.venvstas.com/ was founded in 2014 as a branch of a design office (Lucio Rossi design/ U75 https://www.utopos75.com/ ). Today it has its own life and its producing some of the most interesting writing instruments and accessories one can find. We think that the tools we use have to be inspiring, have to be holders of a certain quality and a design that has to resist the test of time. Make now something for today but thinking about tomorrow. We believe in objects that are to be kept through the years, meaning that they will not be part of the current cycle of fast introduction and disposal. If something is well designed, well made and looks beautiful, it will be more likely to be kept.

The current times are tough ones for each of us although they show as a test, an opportunity where hopefully designers will start to understand such values, as the ones that are the pillars of our brand, the Vitruvian triad, that can apply to anything that's designed or built, not only architecture.

Firmitas. A building has to be strong.
Vtilitas. A building has to serve to a purpose.
Venvstas. A building has to have the qualities of Venus. It has to be beautiful.

If any single object that's designed in our planet would follow these simple principles, (or at least one) the situation regarding waste and obsolescence would be a different one. If a product is made to last, recycling is not anymore the issue it is nowadays, as little of what's produced and labeled as recyclable ever gets recycled being at best up-cycled. Since we are still too far from a “cradle to cradle” model we should start focusing in producing less waste and we strongly believe that one way is by doing better objects and fostering endurance, both in built quality and design. Our contribution to the current crisis is to make you to think on this reality and the different opportunities it could bring. It's a time not to be still, it's a time for ideas and movement, it's the time to think on how we're going to live in the near future, it is not anymore just a matter of the planet we'll leave to future generations, but the planet we live in now.

The task:

Design a concept, an object or a product that is in line with the theme: The future of stationery. This refers to any product that fits the category «stationery», like writing equipment, notebooks, desk accessories or anything that you may feel belongs to a desk and can be suitable for home or office use or both. Products can be aimed at the general public, professionals or hobbyists alike. The entry is FREE, there's no fee. Submission is via the internet.

Jury:

Prof. Architect Attilio Terragni - Milano, Italy.  Prof. Architect Alexander Kalachev – UNStudio associate - Amsterdam, Netherlands Architect Filippo Carmignani Tirelli – CEO Venvstas Italy. Prof. Architect Lucio Rossi - Founder of Venvstas, designer.

Judging criteria:

1-Originality of the concept.

2-Functionality. (not a decorative object)

3-Environmental impact. Materials.

4-Feasibility/cost.

Prizes:

First price: A Venvstas set consisting of a Magna Gold edition fountain pen with pen case, a pen stand and a Designer 8, 2mm linear carbon fiber mechanical pencil. Signed diploma. Second prize: A Venvstas set consisting of a Magna Titanium edition fountain pen with pen case, a pen stand and a Designer 8, 2mm linear carbon fiber mechanical pencil. Signed diploma. Third prize: A Venvstas set consisting of a Carbon T fountain pen with pen case, a pen stand and a Designer 8, 2mm linear carbon fiber mechanical pencil. Signed diploma.

Instagram prize : A Venvstas set consisting of a Carbon T fountain pen, pen case and pen stand, signed diploma.

Any awarded project may be eligible for further development upon agreement and contract between Venvstas and the rights owner.

Schedule:

Competition announcement: May 10th 2020

Submission period: 10th of June 2020 until July 10th 12.00am (UTC+01:00) Rome time.

Submission of questions: Between May 12th until May 30th .

FAQ publishing: June 1st 2020

Instagram voting period: From August 1st to September 1st

Results: September 7th 2020

More: https://www.venvstas.com/competition