Platform design is the idea that brings MELD together and give us a singular point of focus. Put simply; it’s a design method to achieve near mass production efficiency while providing inspiration and easy access to customizable products. There are three steps to creating a platform design.

1. Design a product for customization by both designers and users, allowing for maximum flexibility. The system must include manufacturing and logistics specifications, addressing sustainability and performance specifications.

2. Take this design/system and give it to other creatives to play and build with. Allow them to push the boundaries of the system and express themselves to their fullest. We believe this in turn will inspire the general population to use the system for their own visions.

3. Finally and most importantly; allow the final customization (regardless of designer) to be done by the buyer of the product. Allow them to decide the final expression or function of the product.

Platform design rose out of a dissatisfaction in the Ikea (and others) global phenomenon where you find the same Ikea furnishings and products in all of your friends homes. We want to see variety, not sameness. We want to help people go in a different direction than that of poor quality, poor ethics and homogenization of design. We want the world to be as unique as all the people and all the cultures in it.

You can find more info and discussion around platform design at platformdesign.org (we regularly contribute there)