Made.com launches second range by new designers - but there's a catch

Which pieces do you want in your home? Pledge now & get a 30% discount

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Which pieces do you want in your home? Pledge now & get a 30% discount

• 1/28 Made.com's Ready-to-Work Collection

  Pledging has opened today on Made.com's Ready-to-Work Collection. Designs that are fully crowdfunded by the time pledging ends in October will go into production and be sold on Made.com, with backers receiving a 30 per cent discount.

• 2/28 Ayrmer Chair by Alexander Hay

  British furniture designer Alexander Hay is inspired by all things Scandi. This chair's copper legs complement the dark grey seat and pale back rest beautifully, with comfort considered in the form of a carefully-angled back.

• 3/28 Reda Accent Chair by Artur de Menezes Fernandes

  Bring a pop of raspberry red into your home with a statement chair by this Brazilian-born industrial designer. Comfy and undeniably cool, it is designed to stand out, from the rounded retro lines to the bright upholstery.

• 4/28 Memphis Clock by Frame Design Studio

  This fun Memphis-inspired clock combines 80s-style textures, patterns and materials. It was designed by Paris-based studio Frame, founded by young designers Taina Campos (Mexico) and Jeremy Godel (France). It features a 'pocket' at the bottom for holding keys, pens etc. Hang it on the wall or pop it on a side table.

• 5/28 Grenadine Coffee Table by Projet Standard

  This coffee table is both cool and clever. Inspired by California in the 80s, its dark frame and irregular shape has a casual feel. The extra shelf below is perfect for easy-reach reads.

• 6/28 Lumo Table Light by Emma Norlén

  Metal worker Emma Norlén enjoys playing with unexpected and unusual forms. This copper table lamp's adjustable metal top means you can direct the light wherever you choose.

• 7/28 Carola Bench by Tana Design Studio

  The inspiration for one of the most popular designs submitted to TalentLAB so far comes from children's imaginative ability to transform objects and their uses. Designed by Italy's Tana Design Studio, named Carola and shaped like a wheelbarrow, it consists of three simple elements: wheels, seat and structure. The upholstered part is supported by the simple and stylish wooden frame.

• 8/28 Tend To Watering Can by Aaron Colfer

  British product designer Aaron Colfer wants you to wave goodbye to shrivelled up succulents. This watering can is pretty enough to decorate a shelf as well as keep your plants alive. It's angular and striking - and on-trend in brass.

• 9/28 Rails Wall Organiser by Frame Design Studio

  Frame Design Studio is all about honest, accessible design. Part shelf, part organiser, Rails was inspired by train tracks. It comes with a slim clock and movable dividers - simply slide them along the grooves of the shelf to create compartments for all your essentials. Don't miss the little hooks beneath, either.

• 10/28 Book House Bookstand by Metka Zver

  Sometimes, simple is best. This wooden book stand with a sloping top is designed to mark your page without damaging the spine.

• 11/28 Tara Chest of Drawers by Lucia Simeoni

  Shaped after the angles of emeralds, this chest of drawers is as eye-grabbing as the real deal (well, almost). Three doors open to reveal shelves of varying proportions, and the white and wood combo is suitably standout.

• 12/28 Bliss Wall Light by Anita Buenting

  This copper wall light will stand out whether it's switched on or off, as its unusual shape makes it a guaranteed talking point. For extra impact, buy several and hang them together.

• 13/28 Grid Wall Display by Samir Skalli

  Minimalist and functional, this clean-lined grid display board by Sheffield-based designer Samir Skalli lets you display jewellery and photos in a modern way. The clever spacing of the steel rods guides the eye up and down and the shelf level at the bottom adds depth. Easy to manufacture, this item is perfectly suited to the mass market.

• 14/28 Facettes Rug by Notaroberto Boldrini

  This maroon gradient rug is the height of sophistication. The pattern dazzles with its ability to make the 2D look 3D. One thing's for sure: it gives you a great reason to look down.

• 15/28 Pli & Co Light by Tim Defleur

  This quirky light is designed to look folded, origami style. It's clever and contemporary with its palette of white and Gen Z yellow.

• 16/28 Hex Light by Felix Proctor

  This is a horizontal strip light with style. The design of the metal case has been thoughtfully-considered to ensure light is dispersed softly, while the perforated pattern creates delicate shadows.

• 17/28 Dot Dot Dot Organiser by Ateliers BAH

  The pegboard design of this wall organiser means it can be switched up depending on what you want to store. The pegs pull out - perfect for bags - and the shelves can move too. The earth-toned colour palette is a nod to Nordic.

• 18/28 Samu Bookcase by Andrea Brugnera

  This bookcase mixes contemporary thinking with retro tradition. The pale plywood will complement any colour palette. The curved frame wraps around the bookcase's front, playfully concealing the shelves.

• 19/28 Made.com's Launch Collection

  Pledging has now ended on the debut Launch Collection. Fully funded designs are now in production ready to be sold on Made.com from November. Those that pledged their support to a design with a £5-30 deposit will be offered the chance to buy it at cut price. Here are all those that made the cut...

• 20/28 In production: Cafe Light Tealight Holders by Russell Jarvis

  This colourful set of metal tealight holders will cost £15. Their open corners make it easier to light candles with a match and cast beautiful shadows. Cornish designer Russell Jarvis was inspired by the classic espresso cup and the Japanese paper art of origami.

• 21/28 In production: Uno Cushion by Charlotte Lindsey

  This graphic print scatter cushion will cost £25. British graduate designer Charlotte Lindsey was inspired by Brutalist architecture.

• 22/28 In production: Swappi Cart by Omayra Maymo

  This adjustable wooden cart with four storage drawers and wheels was designed by Spanish architect and designer Omayra Maymo, who is now based in Copenhagen, and is ideal for small space rental living. It will cost £399.

• 23/28 In production: Lightstand Floor Lamp by Ivana Blaskova

  This black powder-coated metal floor lamp by Dutch designer Ivana Blaskova has a smart oak shelf, offering a welcome solution for cramped bedrooms and offices. It will cost £199.

• 24/28 In production: Lune Table Lamp LED by Notaroberto Boldrini

  This LED table lamp with a wooden base and acrylic diffuser is proof that minimal needn't mean boring. Inspired by the moon and the soft lighting it produces, it will cost £69. French design duo Notaroberto Boldrini are behind it.

• 25/28 In production: JO Clothes Hanger by Michael Gottscheck

  Open wardrobes are a staple of any minimalist, Scandi style home, and this beech beauty with two horizontal rails is a real gem. German designer Michael Gottscheck is inspired by his memories of playing in the forest as a child, with this hanger a nod to the huts he used to build from branches. It will cost £79.

• 26/28 In production: Chapeau Table Lamp by Simone Alberto Gerbino

  This chic table lamp with a clever adjustable shade will be priced at £99. Italian designer Simone Alberto Gerbino was inspired by his love of hats and how they are placed on surfaces and coat hangers.

• 27/28 In production: Leliana Dressing Table by Naomi Cheney

  This compact retro dressing table with flexible storage and mirror honours mid-century style. British designer Naomi Cheney wanted to make a piece that was simple and functional with a touch of glamour too. It will cost £299.

• 28/28 In production: Ellieday Table Lamp by Elitsa Boneva

  This black and brass table lamp will be priced at £69. Designed by British graduate designer Elitsa Boneva, every part is versatile, from the swivel base to the height adjuster.

Supporters of up-and-coming designers can now put their money where their mouth is with the launch of Made.com’s latest crowdfunded homeware range.

The online design brand has opened pledging on its second TalentLab​ collection, Ready-to-Work. The focus is on function, with each of the 17 pieces designed with a specific purpose in mind.

Those that reach their funding target by October will go into production and be sold in the e-store.

The emerging designers behind the new furniture and accessories come from all corners of Europe, and not all of them are design school graduates. Some have submitted their first ever design.

BACK A DESIGN FROM CONCEPT STAGE TO OWNING IT YOURSELF
The ambitious and imaginative designs range from a raspberry red statement armchair and a Memphis-inspired clock, to a geometric gold watering can and a bench shaped like a wheelbarrow.

Space-saving solutions abound, from a flexible shelving unit to a minimalist grid wall display. See the full collection here.

The new collection: the Rails Wall Organiser with Clock (above) will be priced at £99 if the crowdfunding target is met. If successful, those who pledge a £5 deposit will be able to buy it at the discount price of £69

Ruth Wassermann, design director at Made.com, described TalentLab as “an innovative way for consumers to have their say in what goes on the site and support emerging designers at the same time”. 

She said: “TalentLab helps shine a spotlight on creativity, helping designers get a foothold in the industry and helping customers get their hands on new bold designs.

Here at Made.com, we will get a read on which pieces our customers love, especially ones that are daring and different.”

HOW DO I PLEDGE?

To pledge your support for your favourite design, simply visit the TalentLab website and pay a small refundable deposit of £5-30. Should the design go into production, you will be given the opportunity to buy it early with a 30 per cent discount. 

If you fall out of love with it or still find it too expensive, no pressure - your deposit will be returned in full. Deposits will be automatically refunded to backers of unsuccessful designs.

HOW OFTEN WILL NEW DESIGNS BE LAUNCHED?

New collections will be released for pledging every two months, curated by Made.com’s team from thousands of entries (if you fancy submitting one yourself, it’s not too late).

Prototypes of shortlisted designs will be made and photographed for the crowdfunding store, with more than 200 budding designers a year set to see their ideas become reality.

In production: pledging has closed for Made.com's first Launch Collection with the successful pieces already in production

Pledging for the first collection, Launch, closed at the end of June. Products that reached their funding threshold are now in production and will be ready to be launched on the site in November. 

They include colourful origami tealight holders, an adjustable storage cart, a Brutalist-inspired scatter cushion and an elegant Mid-Century style dressing table.

WHERE DID THE IDEA COME FROM?

TalentLab is an evolution of Made.com’s Talent Award, which first launched in 2013. This prize worked in a similar way, with customers rating submitted designers, but there was only one winner a year. 

The last award went to Charlotte Petitpierre in 2017 for her Hiraki Table Lamp, designed to resemble a small moon held up by two arms. Its luminosity can be adjusted to suit your mood with a flat LED bulb emitting a soft light that spreads towards the edges of the shade.

The thousands of entries and tens of thousands of votes showed Made.com that the supply of – and demand for – fresh design talent is alive and kicking.