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Dorothee Becker's Hand Wall Bedside Unit by Nataliya Naymark

Dorothee Becker's Hand Wall Bedside Unit by Nataliya Naymark is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2023 A' Design Award in Furniture Design Competition Category.


IronFurniture· 2023

Dorothee Becker's Hand Wall Bedside Unit

by Nataliya Naymark

Client: Nataliya Naymark

A' Design Award Winner in Furniture Category

15,499

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #147116

Colors

The Design

About Dorothee Becker's Hand Wall Bedside Unit

Dorothee Becker's Hand is a wall bedside unit designed for the modern home. The unit combines a wireless charger, three USB ports, a rotating light and a dimmer. A large container holds phones and books, while a smaller container holds jewellery and other small objects. Clips, elastics, hooks and holders for bottles and glasses add compact storage. The body is made of ABS plastic, and the hooks and clips are made of metal. Leftover plastic from production is used for limited edition versions. The wall mounted form saves floor space and suits bedrooms, kitchens and workplaces.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award

Dorothee Becker's Hand Wall Bedside Unit is an Iron A' Design Award winner, a prestigious recognition granted to good designs that meet the professional and industrial requirements expected from well-designed creations. Iron winners demonstrate great skill, high specialization, expert understanding, and creative capacity of their creators. Dorothee Becker's Hand Wall Bedside Unit is expected to be a highly regarded, admired, and cherished creation that is practical and innovative. This Iron A' Design Award-winning design integrates industry best practices and has competent technical characteristics linked with know-how and talent. Dorothee Becker's Hand Wall Bedside Unit is respected for its thoroughness and is designed to provide quality of life improvements that help make the world a better place.

Interviews

Design Interview

What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?

I wanted to raise my ability to put things in oder to it maximum. Think through needs and wants of person in bed. Have a nice book read myself before the sleep.

What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?

I wanted to get rid of cables, and bad phone light during sleep. I wanted it to be ergonomically perfect, so that everyone finds a clear space for all belongings we care about before sleep. And mainly I wanted to have free space, which we really need now with the cost of living in big cities.

What are your future plans for this award winning design?

I plan to sell or lease the production rights. Find a job and sell all my other design. And I really really want to see my things produced.

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Grand Interview

Your innovative reimagining of Dorothee Becker's Hand Wall Bedside Unit beautifully merges historical design with modern technology – could you share the journey that led you to modernize this iconic piece while maintaining its essential character?

My journey to reimagining Dorothee Becker's Hand Wall Bedside Unit began with a deep appreciation for her innovative approach to design and the functionality she infused into everyday objects. As I explored Becker's original work, I was particularly inspired by the way she harmonized form and function, creating pieces that not only served practical purposes but also enriched the user experience.In modernizing the Hand Wall Bedside Unit, I aimed to preserve its essential character while integrating contemporary technological advancements. This meant carefully considering how people interact with bedside furniture today, especially in urban living spaces where multifunctionality is crucial.I conducted extensive research, including focus groups, to understand users' needs and desires for modern bedside units. This involved exploring how contemporary lifestyles have evolved—specifically, the increasing reliance on technology and the need for organized, clutter-free spaces.The challenge was to enhance the design without overshadowing its historical significance. I focused on refining the proportions and materials to create a sleeker profile, while also incorporating features such as integrated charging stations and clever storage solutions to cater to modern demands.Ultimately, my goal was to create a piece that honors Becker's legacy but also stands on its own in today's design landscape. The final product is a blend of timeless elegance and functional innovation, designed to adapt to the needs of the contemporary user while paying homage to the past.

The integration of wireless charging and USB ports in Dorothee Becker's Hand Wall Bedside Unit addresses contemporary needs – how did you determine which modern functionalities would enhance the user experience without compromising the original design's aesthetic integrity?

When integrating modern functionalities like wireless charging and USB ports into Dorothee Becker's Hand Wall Bedside Unit, my primary focus was on enhancing the user experience while remaining true to the original design's aesthetic integrity. To achieve this balance, I took a multi-faceted approach.First, I conducted thorough research to understand how contemporary users interact with their bedside units. This included identifying common frustrations, such as tangled cables and the lack of accessible charging options for devices. Engaging with potential users through surveys and discussions helped me pinpoint the features that would truly add value to their daily routines.Next, I carefully considered how these functionalities could be seamlessly incorporated into the existing design. I sought to integrate the technology in a way that felt natural and unobtrusive, avoiding any bulky or clashing elements that could disrupt the unit’s elegant silhouette. For instance, I designed the charging areas to be discreetly integrated into the structure, ensuring they harmonized with the overall aesthetic rather than detracting from it.Throughout the design process, I also revisited Becker's original principles of simplicity and functionality. I aimed to maintain the clean lines and refined proportions of her work, ensuring that the added features complemented rather than overshadowed the historical elements. By selecting materials and finishes that echoed the original design, I was able to preserve its character while modernizing it for today's user.Ultimately, the goal was to create a piece that feels timeless yet relevant, where the integration of technology enhances usability without compromising the beauty and integrity of Becker's original vision. This thoughtful approach has resulted in a design that resonates with both contemporary needs and historical significance.

Your use of leftover plastic production materials for limited edition versions of Dorothee Becker's Hand Wall Bedside Unit demonstrates a commitment to sustainability – could you elaborate on how this sustainable approach influenced your color choices and manufacturing decisions?

The use of leftover plastic production materials for limited edition versions of Dorothee Becker's Hand Wall Bedside Unit reflects a strong commitment to sustainability and resourcefulness. By envisioning this design, I aimed to showcase how materials that might otherwise go to waste can be creatively repurposed. This approach not only minimizes environmental impact but also inspires innovative thinking in design.When considering color choices, I drew from the inherent qualities of these materials, allowing their unique characteristics to inform the final aesthetic. The idea was to embrace the colors and textures that emerge from recycled plastics, creating a vibrant yet cohesive look that honors the original design while speaking to contemporary sensibilities. This vision emphasizes that sustainability and beauty can coexist in design, encouraging a future where responsible choices enhance both form and function.

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Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties
Dorothee Becker’s Hand is a wall unit designed for the modern home environment. To improve experience following technologies are used: wireless charger, USB portals, rotating light, and dimmer.
Leftover from plastic production of primary colours used for limited edition objects with a unique color scheme.
Based on modern life scenarios, it integrates the functions needed.
Dimensions & Packaging
W500mm x D50mm x H550mm
Tags
bedside table, wall organiser, working lamp, reusable plastic, wireless charge
Production Technology
Dorothee Becker’s Hand is made of ABS plastic; hooks and clips are made of metal.
A wireless charger is used, which reduces the number of wires used and the overall look. It is located in a big container. Three USB portals are there to charge electronics. The unit has incorporated light, it can be positioned differently and rotated. There are two buttons for light: one is for opening the hand, second is for dimmer which allows having different scenarios for different situations.
Design Challenge
The hand was the most challenging part. I wanted it to be able to fit inside the form in different positions. Especially if it could have a nice night light, but due to technical issues, it didn't work. Another thing was the glass to use for hand. I went through several designs of the past and decided to use a crystal diamond cut made of plastic.
In this project, I wanted to keep the minimum required storage. I was focused on ergonomics and how many things we put near us during sleep.
Research
The initial problem was a robot vacuum cleaner that can't clean under bedside tables. Going through different variations of bases, I ended up making the wall unite. It is convenient for a small place as well.
It is equipped with clips, hooks, elastics, and containers, providing practical storage space and making it easier to find things. I wanted to keep healthy routines: drink through the night and reduce telephone lights. They are solved with the glass holder and deep container.
Inspiration
Dorothee Becker’s Hand is a tribute to the iconic Uten.Silo, was designed by Dorothee Becker in 1969. Modernise with new technologies to improve experience nowadays. Firstly designed as a wall bedside cabinet, it is a useful addition to any room and interior. The introduction of the wall module allows the use of new primary color: blue and/or recyclable plastic.
Project Duration
The project started February 2021 in Moscow.
Operation Flow
The unit has a big container with a wireless charger for phones, e-books, books, and other bulky stuff. The smaller container for jewellery, watches, or other small objects. The clip allows you to place memos. Elastics have mainly two purposes holding writing objects or glasses. Hooks are for necklaces, headbands, or even keys. Water holders are both for bottles and glasses.
The unit was designed for a bedroom initially, can be a great addition to working places and for kitchen.

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