In an era shaped by mass production, discerning consumers are on the search for products that are unique. The premium is on items that are original and personalised - even if that sometimes also means imperfect.
People want to own products that they can connect with; that resonate. Essentially, they want something that is theirs and nobody else's. That's why we are so keen to pick up items on our travels - because they are steeped in meaning and memories, but also because we know no one back home will have the same.
Designers are responding accordingly, understanding that a one-size-fits-all approach will no longer get the job done. It is no longer enough to create a product and expect people to adapt to it. Instead, products must be able to adapt to the whims of their users. Hence the rise in
personalised, customisable products
. Designers create the template, but it is the user that determines what the end product will ultimately look like. This is the democratisation of design.
I came across a great example of this whilst interviewing PR consultant Dani Wilson Naqvi at her home a few weeks ago. Dani has a great collection of coffee table books but my favourites were the ones that she had made herself - with the help of a website called
.
With Blurb, you can create your own
personalised photo book
- whether it's filled with wedding photos, travel shots, recipes or pretty much anything else. All you have to do is go to the site, upload your images and text and decide on a size. Blurb will then print it - promising bookstore quality and binding - and send it to you.
The books make for fab gifts - and are a great example of personalised design at its most personal.
- Selina Denman
