Wellness
Laziness
Design
INTRODUCTION
Wellness derives from the English words wellbeing, fitness and happiness.
As with most global trends in pop culture, the term wellness is not translated into
other languages. It is associated with a variety of services, goods and food products,
promising a feel-good effect and aiming for passive recreation. The changes
in demographics, new strategy developments in health care and evolution
of technology all influence the wellness trend. It seems that what people once
achieved by relaxing at home on their couches, is nowadays only possible through
consumption: vacations at Ayurveda centres in Sri Lanka, futon beds and salt lamps
in Lama monasteries or listening relaxation CDs and drinking Icelandic bottled water.
This is the moment when Wellness and Design meet on a banal –
but still legitimate – matter.
Designers provide their services to companies that are involved in the trend. However
recently the trend itself changed some designers attitudes: Slow Design and Healing
Architecture – to name but a few representative movements that might be part
of the next paradigm shift.
The exhibition ”About Layabouts“ presents different perspectives on the topic
of wellness. A group of students prepared an installation based on their understanding
of wellness: ademand for a little more laziness.
Michael Vasku
ABOUT LAYABOUTS
A transdisciplinary team led by Michael Vasku (Vasku&Klug architects) has created
an exhibition, which brings the concept of wellness and home together. Traditional
central European stoves inspire the exhibition design. In the Czech Republic, there
is a special word for a lazy person – ”pecival“. It literally means a person who lies
down on a masonry stove and does nothing. Masonry stoves were historically
the centre of every household. They provided warmth and served as a place to cook
or even to sleep practically all family life happened around a stove. Therefore
masonry stove is a centrepiece of this installation. The exhibition’s aim is to provide
a glimpse of that feeling to the visitors in Milan, while it inspires spectators to relax
and be lazy in that hectic atmosphere of the Milan Design Week. Generally
the exhibition raises the question whether a little more laziness wouldn’t make
us a little healthier and happier? This happens of course only if one does not regret
but really enjoys the time when being a layabout. The presented exhibits
are
concepts
of
products,
which
help
to
consciously
enjoy
laziness
for the purpose of regeneration.
Join us and become a layabout for a little while!
WWW. ABOUTLAYABOUTS. COM
ABOUT FACULTY
FACULTY OF MULTIMEDIA AND COMUNICATIONS
Tomas Bata University in Zlin is a dynamic higher education institution comprising
six faculties that cover humanities, natural sciences, technology and art.
The Faculty of Multimedia Communications focuses on graphic design, spatial
design, advertising photography, industrial design, marketing communications,
audiovisual arts and fashion design. Its students regularly win prestigious
international accolades including Cannes Young Lions and the Red Dot Design
Awards.
About Layabouts is the second exhibition presented at Milan Design Week. Last year
students created gingerbread installation called Bite Me Milan for Czech Centre.
(www.bitememilan.com)
WWW.UTB.CZ/FMK
EXHIBITS
SPA CUP
MARTIN MIKEŠ
The design of this spa cup is similar to the traditional spa cups produced in the Czech
Republic from 16th century. Yet it offers functional innovation and alternative
use as a water pipe. The shape is designed for easy holding, lazy walking
and comcortable fit in a pocket.
DRINKIE
VERONIKA VAŠÁTKOVÁ
You cannot call yourself a layabout if you have not been to spa yet. Drinking mineral
water from natural springs during the lazy walks along the colonnade is just great.
Drinkie’s design has been inspired by the shape of a heart. Due to the tapering shape
you can easily sip the mineral water without any contact with your teeth. Drinkie can
be hanged on the neck as a piece of jewellery.
BOWL IN WIRES
PETR SEHNOUTKA
Inspired by architectural features of Gabion, this bowl is a perfect decoration
for your interior as well as a perfect place for fruits and vegetables. The bowl is also
weather resistant and it can serve as an unusual flower pot or a small fireplace.
The bowl is made of galvanized stainless steel wire filled with natural pebbles.
The
bottom
of
the
leaving furniture marks.
bowlis
covered
wit
rubber
to
prevent
it
from
THE CUBE
DANA VRÁNKOVÁ
Fruit bowl The Cube can be used in all kinds of interiors, where the empty bowl can
serve as a decorative element. Its core consists of rectangular wire prisms of diffeing
sizes which can form a large number of compositions. Due to the minimalistic curves
of the bowl, organic shapes of fruit are put in the centre of attention.
COFFEE SET
VOJTĚCH MITURA
This coffee set can be recognized by its clear and simple lines. The simple shape
of cup enables you to enjoy your cup of coffee without curves and ornaments.
Favourite activity of all layabouts has been brought to higher level with a touch
of elegance. Wooden saucer is in contrast with white ceramic glaze of a cup.
TEETÄ/ TEA INFUSER
LAŠUTOVÁ DANA
The collection of porcelain tea filters respects traditional technique of tea making
as well as a significant place tea has in life of every layabout. Variable design enables
you to prepare either a larger volume of tea or just a small mug just for you. You can
even hang your filter on the edge of the mug and remove it easily and just in time.
Two ways of use are reflected also in the design of the filter. Cold and elegant
porcelain is in contrast with pleasant and warm wood.
WALL SEED
JAKUB VERNER
Wall Seed is small mural vase. It is made for anyone interested in bringing a piece
of nature to their home. The vase keeps flowers fresh as well as it serves as a flower
pot for herbs essential for cooking. You can take the vase off the wall easily
whenever you need to season your dish and then put Wall Seed back on the wall.
THE MINE
VERONIKA VAŠÁTKOVÁ
Every flower we get, buy or rip off somewhere in the park has a different size
and requires different vase. This is not something for true layabouts. The Mine
is designed to allow youto place any kind of flowers in any of the holes. And once
you get tired of its design, you can turn it upside down and you have got a whole
different vase placed on your table.
LAZY VASE
JAKUB VERNER
Lazy Vase is horizontal so it does not block the view of people sitting at the table.
Eye contact and freedom of hand movement during the toast were the main ideas
behind this design. Inspiration for the V form that opens into two holes originates
from cubism. These openings allow you to play with flower combination so that
you can never get bored by it. The lower centre of gravity also prevents the vase
from overturning.
JEWEL BOX
ONDŘEJ TICHÝ
Made of porcelain casting into plaster moulds, the bowls have two parts – the lower
and the upper. The shape is simple, oval bowls are made from a combination
of playful coloured fleece that serves as a
mat for your jewellery
in white elegant porcelain.
CRYSTALS
BAČOVÁ ADÉLA
Collection of luxurious jewellery combines carbon fibre, gold and diamonds into
triangular structures. Various structures merge into a complex piece of jewellery
with a unique design. The collection of necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings
represents crystallization, transformation, growth, decomposition and other
processes inspired mostly by nature.
BLIND FOLDS
FRANTIŠEK DVOŘÁK
How do you like to laze? Every true layabout’s favourite activity is either sleeping
or relaxing with one’s eyes closed. The feeling of being far from reality is the easiest
way how to restart both your body as well as mind. The concept of eye mask offers
various possibilities of relax. You can cover your eyes and enjoy complete darkness
or you can upgrade it by adding visual projection. Design inspired by Czech cubism
will make you by far the most stylish layabout.
RAINMAKER
MATIC VIHTELIČ
Every layabout loves rain as it means that he does not have to leave his cosy sofa.
Rainmaker is a table decoration that brings rain to your living room. It functions
as a sand-watch and captures the sound of dripping water using its shape
to enhance it to the sound of rain. The sound of droplets change by increasing
or decreasing the quantity of accumulated water. Once the upper part is empty
the rainmaker is simply turned upside down and it starts raining again.
OCEAN SOUND FAN
MATIC VIHTELIČ
The beach is a paradise for almost every layabout. The Ocean Sound Fan creates
a relaxing sound of ocean. A hollow spiral shell diffuser catches the sound of blowing
wind and turns it into a tune similar to the sound you can hear in a seashell.
The airtravels through the spiral, bounces to its walls until it finally escapes through
the front edge of the shell.
SMALL & SPECIAL
ZDEŇKA FUSKOVÁ
The objects Small & Special are reflecting the phenomenon of the chocolate egg
Kinder surprise. The moment of surprise is when you get to the toy through
the plastic box of the non-transparent choc- olate. Here is the heart of the egg
transparent. We can clearly see what is inside but the surprise is the fact, that
the toy is not beautiful anymore. It is a hand-blown glass creature, fluorescent
monster levitating in the air.
FOLKLORE
LUCIE REGASKOVÁ
The glass skirt has been inspired by a traditional village costume which is different
in every part of the country. This dress is usually worn during feasts and celebrations
and passes from generation to generation as a treasure. Nowadays only a few
people know how to make it. The glass skirt is a tribute to the people who are still
preserving traditions of our predecessors. It is a tribute to the hard work, old times
and beautiful handmade production. The glass represents a fragile bond between
tradition and modernity.
WELNESSIE
KAROLÍNA FARDOVÁ
Wellnessie is a silent companion you will appreciate both at work and at home.
It helps in times of stress, uncertainty and also with channelling ideas. Its gracefully
shaped curves will please not only your eyes but especially your mind. Porcelain
and wooden material variation of Wellnessie is completed with genuine fur from
recycled coats. Wellnessie is here for you - so take it, stroke it and love it!
ELLIPSIS
SABINA STRŽÍNKOVÁ
The concept of Greenhouse Ellipsis is based on simplicity and functionality. It has
wide applications, primarily as a small incubator for plants of all kinds, e.g. herbs
or small trees. Its small shape fits perfectly into the interior of urban apartments,
terraces or balconies where you can watch the entire plant grow from seeds.
The shape is inspired by an egg, which symbolizes the birth of something new.
From now on, everyone can become a gardener without a garden.
SYMBIO2SIS LAMP
MAJA REPOTOČNIK
Being surrounded by nature has numerous positive effects on human body and soul.
However, if you are a layabout, you barely leave your comfortable sofa.
The Symbio2sis lamp was designed to bring a piece of nature into your home.
The lamp creates a pleasant atmosphere by the casting of light and shadows.
In addition, plants are excellent natural air cleaners. Additional light accelerates
photosynthesis and increases the amount of oxygen in the room.
INOM / LED LIGHT
ŠIMON SCHNEIDER
The collection represents various tube- shaped LED-based lamps. To achieve
flexibility and thus the variability of usage, LED stripe as a light source is attached
to a metal rod or a silicone strap in case of textile lamps. Body of the lamp is made
of transparent foil with graphic print or transparent textile material in a shape
of tube, filled with everyday pillow stuffing. As these lamps are soft, flexible,
unbreakable and sometimes even warm, they are perfectly suitable for children and
young dynamic people for everyday relaxing and fun.
PYRAM
KMEŤ ANDREJ
Pyram is a series of table lamps designed to create a nice and relaxing atmosphere
in any interior. The playful combination of materials is not only aesthetically
attractive, but bending any side of the lamp individually enables you to regulate
the intensity of light. Pyram can be an intimate night-light, a playful children’s room
lamp or a unique decoration that creates a calming atmosphere in a living room.
MICROBE
PETR VANĚK
This lamp is a paraphrase of a unicellular organism called protozoa that gets
its nourishment from the way it moves. Likewise, a Microbe creates energy
for it’s functioning by swinging from side to side. Design of the lamp consists
of a metal hemisphere, which is the center of gravity and also includes a diffuser
that spreads the light and creates an intimate and relaxing atmosphere.
MASSAGE SOAP
LINDA KOCMANOVÁ
Massage Soaps are designed for home wellness. They provide both relaxation
and regeneration of the whole body. Thanks to massage points on both sides
you will achieve maximal enjoyment. Each of three soaps has a specific function
and it is used for other parts of your body. Soap A is for the blood supply
of the lower body, especially thighs, soap B relaxes and massages muscles and soap
C is for the overall regeneration of the skin.
MASSAGE ROLL
ADAM ŠTĚRBA
This unique Massage Roller is made of oak by traditional turning of wood. It has
been designed for an easy use for massage to provide a pleasant and easy way
of releasing tensions of the whole body from your neck to your feet. This Roller
consists of only two wooden parts without any screws in order to remain fully
natural and simple.
SHOWERHEAD
VOJTĚCH ŽÁK
The Showerhead concept offers a new innovative way of showering.
The showerhead attached to your hand makes you feel like the water streams
directly from your palm. The head is made of silicone to make it smooth to the touch
and ease of use. This Showerhead is applicable in any bathroom as well as in public
facilities, such as hospitals, nursing homes, spas, accommodation facilities etc.
where contact between a care giver and a patientis required.
HOME WELLNESS
URANBILEG ALTANGEREL
Massage device relieves your feet after a busy day. The constant movement
on the soft rollers stimulates blood circulation in your feet. Not only you will train
your legs, in addition a dry skin subsides to the bottom. After a workout you can
remove silicone rollers and clean them. The surface of the rollers is adjusted
to dulcified human counteract relaxation and stress. Part of the apparatus Home
Wellness is a leather bag that is used for convenient storage.
SHELTER
MONIKA ŽILOVÁ
What does the word ”home“ means and represents? For layabouts the answer
is the calm and the comfort, which looks like loose, stretched out of shape, pieces
of clothing people mostly prefer as clothes worn at home. The combination
of function and the shape of two different things: a piece of clothing and a blanket,
gave rise to the blanket that can be turned to a comfortable, loose garment.
FLEX
KRISTINA ZEMANOVÁ
Footwear is designed as an easy fit with emphasis on the shape and structure
of material but also on the lightness and flexibility of the shoe and its ease of putting
on. To ensure sufficient flexibility, the sole is sewn only at the points where
the shoes and the ground are in touch; elastic band is placed only where
it is necessary and helps easier and simpler use. Due to modest balance in colour,
style and structure the shoes should be in the harmony and they should correspond
with flexibility of its users.
NEWINTAGE
MARTINA ŘIHÁČKOVÁ
Footwear is inspired by the processes and phenomena occurring commonly
in the nature. For the upper part of shoes leather with holes and various defects
is used. The wooden platform is handmade and plastic shapes were created
randomly in the production and even more enhanced by the spontaneity with which
the shoes were created. Nature has always been a part of our everyday lives and
we have managed to live with it in harmony, listen and appreciate her.
This is an attempt to return to the traditional values.
WOOD
LENKA MLYNARČÍKOVÁ
Shoes called Wood are inspired by nature. 
Therefore wood, leather and moss
became the dominant material. The important aspect is also recycling. Wooden
platforms are made of exotic woods, which were waste left - overs from
the production of electric guitars. Although the outside shapes of the shoe looks
quite absurd and uncomfortable, using of moss inside of the footwear gives
the impression of a pleasant environment of the ”forest.“
JAPAN
MARTINA ŘIHÁČKOVÁ
The main inspiration for this footwear was Japanese clothing cuts, which
are characterized by a refined solution. Its 3D shapes are generated due to stapling,
stretching and folding surfaces. Thanks to materials like wood and coarsely woven
cloth, here is the evident reference to the production of the traditional
folk footwear.
CORAL
URANBILEG ALTANGEREL
It is not an accident that this footwear reminds you of the structure and shapes
of sea coral. This is a new approach to the appearance and function of the casted
foot- wear when the traditional form is negated and object covers the entire leg.
To come up with this form, the author had to experiment with chemicals to achieve
the desired result. The materials themselves were the greatest source of inspiration.
STRIPE
URANBILEG ALTANGEREL
Model of women’s footwear called Stripe is a successor of the model called
Two in one. The main common feature is the platform and the absence of the heel.
When walking, one has to maintain balance and slow down and thus for a while
”pauses“ in today’s busy world. Wearing requires balance and concentration, and
upright posture. The name ”Stripe“ comes from the shape of the upper, because the
developing of the upper creates a continuous yellow line that is restlessly surging.
TWO IN ONE
URANBILEG ALTANGEREL
Women’s shoe called Two in one is reminiscent of the traditional type of folk
footwear called clogs. The model consists of two parts, monolithic wooden sole with
two leather straps which after the manner of traditional clogs can be used
separately. The second part, a separate upper shoe is made from a single piece
of leather for perfect fit on leg. The main objective of our shoe is a return
to traditional forms of footwear and reconnection of man and nature.
CINDARELLA
URANBILEG ALTANGEREL
Design of this indoor footwear refers to a well-known fairy tale ”Cinderella“.
Therefore the elements related to the main character are evident in the collection.
It consists of two parts. The first pair of shoes is woven from natural sheep wool.
It allows the wearer to feel comfortable and creates a comfortable at ”home“
feeling. The second pair has the soles with wooden balls. This footwear is intended
for home relaxing and massage.
TEAM
ABOUT LAYABOUTS TEAM MEMBERS
SPATIAL DESIGN
Petr Daneš
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
Ondřej Puchta
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Adela Galbavá / Petra Koutná
SHOE DESIGN
Veronika Jakóbková
ANIMATION
Vojtěch Dočkal
PHOTOGRAPHY/ VIDEO
Vít Hašek
WEB DESIGN
Květoslav Bartoš
MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS
Jakub Šabata
COORDINATOR
Richard Vodička
SUPERVISOR
Michael Vasku