b'prospect of climate change, we feelIs built-to-last going to enter the a responsibility to enact positivemainstream or do you think this change through what we design andisnt viable for big business?produce. Care for our environmentConsumers are becoming increasingly and a shared moral duty to do nosavvy, researching products and harm is as important to us as ourthe companies behind them before ability to manufacture and sell. Thismaking a buying decision. I see a informs all the decisions we make asclear opportunity, but also a need for a company. For now this means usingbusinesses to make and sell products entirely recyclable materials for ourthat last. As customers seek to products, finishes and packaging,connect directly with the companies and translates to our philosophy ofthey purchase from through platforms Odin Ardagh, designer andmaking durable products built to lastsuch as Instagram, an opportunity director, Brahman Design forever, combating the practice ofarises to explain the sometimes-Odin Ardagh is one ofplanned obsolescence that permeatesincreased price tag that comes with the founding directors ofevery industry.making high-quality products that Brahman Design, whichstand the test of time. As a small makes the brass and woodTell us about the design processcompany it can sometimes be hard Hvel pencil sharpener. Hebehind Hvel.to do the right thing, as making was a Star Choice in the ThirtyThe idea for our first product Hvel,something of quality does come with Under 30 Class of 2018. came from a strong dissatisfactionan increased cost, however this can be with your average pencil sharpener.mitigated by economies of scale.Describe what Brahman makes, andHaving just started a degree inI see no reason why larger companies what drove you to develop theseproduct design I was drawing more,couldnt be doing more to create products. and was reminded of childhoodproducts that last and thereby foster At Brahman Design we makefrustrations of breaking pencil leadslasting relationships with customers beautiful analogue drawing toolsusing a twist sharpener. A seed of aninstead of placing too much emphasis designed to last a lifetime or more.idea was planted, to design a pencilon the short term value of the bottom We are three young product designerssharpener I would aspire to own.line. Its my view that as a majority who all have a strong passion forDrawing from my love of carpentryof the tools we use become digital, it creating that translates directly to ourand woodworking tools, I settledleaves an opportunity for investing drive to create original drawing toolson a design which functions like ain quality when we make purchasing that inspire our users. traditional block plane. A tool useddecisions for the few analogue tools for cabinet making. After numerouswe choose to buy.Why should Brahman be consideredprototypes made using 3D printing, I a stationery brand with asettled on the design we now sell. Are startups and college graduates conscience? The Hvel (meaning hand planedriving the current trend in ethical As designers and business ownersin Norwegian, my native language)and sustainable products and in the 21st century we feel a stronggives you more precise control overpurpose-led business practices? sense of responsibility to design andhow you sharpen your pencil than aWorking within the London start-produce products that dont harmscalpel or traditional sharpener andup ecosystem, we see many of the our environment, especially focusingdoesnt break the pencil lead or pastelcompanies around us working on on the lifecycle of a product byas it sharpens along the grain of theproducts and business models that prolonging its life and using honestwood and doesnt twist. Using Hvelare rooted in sustainable practices. materials. Having all grown up inoffers a pleasant break in a fast-pacedAs young individuals whose lives the shadow of the rather terrifyingdigital working day. will be affected by climate change, it is imperative that change is made swiftly and definitively. My generation has had environmentalism as a core part of our curriculum since primary school. As we mature we are seeing people starting businesses that are aiming to change the world with care for the environment as their focus. I would say that start-ups and graduates are definitely striving for change and are setting a new gold standard for entrepreneurship in the 21st century.The Hvel pencil sharpener by Brahman Design www.brahmandesign.com 18 SPRING//SUMMER 2019'