Turning a new leaf with A. & H. Meyer

A. & H. MEYER Malaysia

Address: 3, Jalan Astaka U8/84, Section U8, Bukit Jelutong 40150 Shah Alam

Tel: +60 3 7845 7277

Manfred Becker, R&D Manager of A. & H. Meyer, spoke about the inspiration behind the new NETBOX Leaf, a detachable surface-mounted power and data unit in aluminium finish.

What was the design inspiration behind the NETBOX Leaf?

We were looking to deviate from the typically straight-lined and right-angled NETBOX units and taking the cue from nature seems like the ideal approach.

What were the challenges you encountered throughout the design process, and how did you overcome them?

For starters, there was the challenge of bringing together the separate components of the NETBOX Leaf to achieve a cohesive organic design, where each part of the design relates to the whole.

Then there was the need to achieve a design that doesn’t appear obtrusive and bigger than is really necessary. This was accomplished by employing a pair of lines which begins from an end point and fans out toward the facia and eventually converging at a point directly opposite from where it originates, hence endowing the

NETBOX Leaf with an expressive and tri-dimensional aspect. The finished product resembles leaves which snugly enfold the internal parts to form a unified whole.

Why do you think that product design is important and influential?

Product design isn’t simply about aesthetics. In fact, it can also be a reflection of a company’s corporate culture and philosophy. For me, good product design should demonstrate quality in every detail, including the hidden elements, such as a commitment toward caring for the environment through the responsible use of resources. By all accounts, new materials, new technologies and new findings must always be taken into consideration when designing new products as product design may also be seen as expressing current trends or appealing to a specific taste.

What do you turn to when you are in need of inspiration?

Inspiration is all around us. It doesn’t matter if it’s created by people or by nature itself. You just have to keep your eyes open to the plethora of opportunities that lay in wait, right in front of us to craft unique products that reveal their inspiration while retaining the designer’s distinct vision.

How do you stay ahead of current design trends?

I have always been driven by a genuine quest to create the most appealing and technically-driven solutions to address specific design challenges.