Modularity and Longevity Between Graphic and Spatial Design with FORMAT

Established exactly a year ago this month by graphic designer Diaz Hensuk, FORMAT describes itself as a product practice, metal-based spatial solutions studio. Having collaborated with numerous creative events around Jakarta city and beyond including Bintaro Design District, Jakarta Illustration and Creative Arts Fair (JICAF), and ARCH:ID, FORMAT grounds its practice in modularity, longevity, and design. Firmly establishing himself still as a graphic designer, Diaz explains that, in turn, FORMAT was birthed from graphic design thinking.

“So as long as I've been a graphic designer, from the beginning, I've never had the opportunity to touch on anything other than graphics,” Diaz began. “Especially because I just didn’t have bandwidth. So I really didn't have time and all that. But once I finally had more freedom, finally FORMAT was created,” he explained. Personally, Diaz has long thought that designers should avoid boxing themselves into single discipline practitioners. “So, for example, if I'm a graphic designer, [people may think that] I’m only allowed to do graphic [design]. Although the educational basis is certainly important, in my opinion, the technical aspect plays a completely different part. But the vision of a product can be shared by all designers, regardless of their original educational background.” he elaborated. Diaz also revealed an additional, more personal, motivation behind the founding of FORMAT, “Because I personally want to be able to prove myself that yes, we can actually engage in cross-industry practices without discouraging product designers who have a formal educational base like that.”

FORMAT’s sole focus is on metal-based spatial solutions. Working together with metal manufacturer and partner Alba, FORMAT, as a production practice studio, operates under two major capacities; a metal furniture production house as well as a studio based practice. “We have a studio side that we push. Well, that also seems to have started because I'm a graphic artist and I’ve lived that studio life. So that made me not want to make FORMAT just like, 'I make furniture from my own designs. I sell them and after that, that's it. I don't want to do that. So we still take on this studio side.”

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Modularity is at the core of FORMAT’s practice. “Initially, we hoped that the modular concept would allow us as product users to be more aware of product longevity and quality.” Diaz explained. “So we know that if we buy an item that is affordable and leans towards cheap, it may only be used for a short time because it is easily damaged and tends to be single-function. So, for example, we buy a table which is just a table with a single use. Well, at FORMAT we think beyond that. So, if we can make a product that is modular in basis, with the same components, we can make a lot of interpretations.”

Diaz recalled a time when his mother had handed down a cabinet for him to use but when he tried to set it up at his home, it was just too big and did not fit his space. “The need for a furniture element or product in the house should be able to respond to the space, the habits of the user without having to buy new items,” he continued. “So actually that's the origin of my belief that FORMAT should be modular using metal which we feel, and we know, in terms of quality, its durability is extraordinarily long. So we are quite sure that when we created [FORMAT] its core was about longevity, durability, and actually not just a single function.”

In Diaz’s opinion, what FORMAT offers is something that is still untapped fully in the Indonesian furniture industry. “I'm quite sure of that because metal products are still very, very rare,” Diaz said. Even if there are others, the numbers are very, very low. But those that have a product treatment and output like FORMAT are still very, very rare so it's really exciting for us to be able to play in this space.” However, as FORMAT also provides a service, they still maintain a project-based work pattern in their practice. In their capacity as a studio practice, FORMAT is very open to co-create and collaborate. Thus far, this has taken shape in the design of various installations.

This is where modularity and multi-functionality plays a crucial role in their practice. As such, FORMAT have designed an array of metal components adorned with the signature plus symbol to be composed and arranged in line with the creative vision of their collaborators. “What was quite interesting was that our collaborators were already familiar with FORMAT’s character, because FORMAT has a fairly standard character, quite strong—plus-shaped poles with plus-shaped holes too. So it can't be hidden and I never had any plans to cover it up. So these pluses become FORMAT's inherent identity.” The plus motif is an entirely practical feature of FORMAT’s components, acting as joints for the different pieces, which simultaneously serves as a prominent graphical element.

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Typically, FORMAT would ask only two questions in their approach to client-based work; the measurements of the space available and the activities to take place in that space. In response, FORMAT will then propose a structural mock-up using their modules. For example, in their work for JICAF 2023, FORMAT was able to provide a unique spatial showcase of several selected artists using their existing components. Although the composition of the installation was determined and mocked up prior to the set up, the modular nature of FORMAT’s components allow for on-site modifications without having to go all the way back to the drawing board. In this way, FORMAT’s commitment to longevity also contributes greatly to sustainability. The design of these components significantly minimize the waste that would have come with on-site modifications of these installations.

In a way, FORMAT actualises their collaborators’ vision using their modular components as building blocks—able to be deconstructed and reconstructed with little to no fuss. “Because the components are standard, it's like we're playing with Lego.” Diaz alluded. Ergo, FORMAT is still able to provide collaborators with a custom set up without having to produce individual custom pieces. With their standard and solid pieces, the restrictions set by Diaz and the FORMAT team also mitigates the unique challenges that metal-based product design may face. “The creative process is more or less the same as in a graphic design office too. Briefs get assigned and all that. But FORMAT’s role here is more about creating configurations from our existing components.”

In their metal-based production arm which creates one-off furniture products, FORMAT still employs direct graphical influences in their design. Their cabinet, Credenza, is the first of their products to be created direct from sketch to finish. “For me personally, when I created  this, it was actually very graphical. The line play is horizontal. There are no gimmicks at all, it's really just as is. Even the laser cut holes in the middle have an upward gradient. It’s floating. So I enjoyed the graphic process and finally it became a real product,” Diaz elaborated. A similar process is undertaken in the design of their rolling cabinet and stair cabinet.

Following their first year, Diaz still has grand plans for FORMAT. After spending the past year solidifying FORMAT’s character and audience, FORMAT hopes to reach a wider audience this year through the launch of their website and their manifest exhibition. Diaz is also looking to bring their products beyond Indonesian borders by next year. FORMAT sits at an exciting juncture between graphic design, spatial design, and product design. As a practice that can be considered the first of its kind, we hope to see more exciting outcomes from Diaz and his team in the future.

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About the Author

Kireina Masri

Kireina Masri has had their nose stuck in a book since they could remember. Majoring in Illustration, they now write of all things visual—pouring their love of the arts into the written word. They aspire to be their neighborhood's quirky cat lady in their later years.