Design Trends from Milan: Molten

In an intriguing play-off between material and structure, we saw a number of product examples that appeared to be molten.

Inferring a part-molten, part-solid structure, these product examples quickly lead the viewer to think beyond the surface level and question the apparent longevity of what lies before them.

Although these products are static, their shiny exterior cues ‘liquidity’, which in turn injects some movement into the design.

‘Melting Love’ candlesticks by Louise Henderstrom use a humorous play on melting wax to synchronize both functional use and meaning.

However, this trend is largely manifested in experimental executions, in this case implying a melting, drippy, waxy structure that looks relatively unstable.

As such, we’re on the fence when it comes to ‘molten’; on one hand commending it’s ability to challenge norms in terms of structure, on the other questioning how it will translate into other areas of design and mass-production.