Sometimes the best designs are all about the details. When it comes to often-touched hardware – whether it’s on a cabinet, a faucet handle or a doorknob – the way the product feels is just as important as how it looks. KBB spoke with several hardware designers to find out their secrets for creating these small but essential kitchen and bath products.
Their Role in the Process
“I love getting to wear lots of different hats. While my background is in fine and graphic arts, I’ve been able to adapt and learn new things such as the process of creating a product or, more specifically, cabinet hardware. Creating in both 2D and 3D is so rewarding.”
– Kayla Zelasko, graphic designer at Berenson Corp.
“I get to play a role in all aspects of our product’s design and manufacturing. Through travel, trade shows and my interest in interior design, I find ways to bring design inspiration from everywhere into our decorative hardware. I get to work closely with every department as we bring a new design to life, from the first rough sketch all the way to the product’s first marketing campaign.”
– Christine Zimmer, senior director of decorative hardware, Top Knobs
“As a product designer, my mission is fairly simple: I want to change the emotional connection that we have to boring functional fittings. I constantly sketch, innovate and build on a daily basis to ensure that my customers feel like they are opening a limited-edition handbag and not a door handle. That’s when I’ve done my job.”
– Massimo Buster Minale, co-founder of Buster + Punch
“Our LED BUSTER BULB is one of my favorite products as it was the world’s first designer LED lightbulb and was the culmination of both trail-blazing form and function. It was the product that propelled us into the mainstream and dragged me out of my motorbike garage and into magazines.” – Minale, Buster + Punch
Challenges Experienced
“For me, there are so many aspects of the business I am still learning, so some days are full of research. Luckily, I have a wealth of resources provided both online and internally. Our sales team members offer guidance and support from their years of experience.”
– Zelasko, Berenson Corp.
“From the time that I visualize a product in my mind until the first piece comes out of the factory, there are countless changes and iterations the design team makes along the way. The design process starts with pencil sketches, followed by detailed dimensioned drawings and computer-generated 3D models. Once the first samples are produced, we continuously revise and improve the design until it looks and feels just right. I work closely with our production team to solve problems related to manufacturing capabilities such as machining challenges or finishing processes.”
– Hardware Resources design team
“I have always designed from inside my own head, which essentially means that I try not to be swayed by what I see in social media or by the data science behind ‘what makes a successful product.’ With the explosion of social media and fast fashion in recent years, this is becoming increasingly harder to do, and my main challenge before I design is to start with a blank page.”
– Minale, Buster + Punch
“One of my favorite designs is our Channing series of knobs, pulls and cup pulls. I love the industrial look of the squared edges and faux-exposed screws. At the time, ‘vintage farmhouse’ or ‘industrial chic’ weren’t really trending, so I took a big risk launching this series. I’m glad I trusted my gut, because now this series is one of our top sellers!” – Zimmer, Top Knobs
Finding Inspirations
“My main source of inspiration is from the design community. My goal is to complete a designer’s vision for their perfect kitchen/bath/project, so I’m always so aware of what is going on in the industry.”
– Zimmer, Top Knobs
“Inspiration is always around us. It is in day-to-day objects, nature, exploring different cultures, travel and so on. We are surrounded by things, events and people that spark different ideas and inspirations for our creations.”
– Hardware Resources design team
“I am born and raised in London, and pretty much all my inspirations come from London’s fashion, music and sub-culture scene. I harness this energy and use my friends to help elevate both our products and our lifestyle.”
– Minale, Buster + Punch
The Metro Polished Copper Knob from Berenson has a square shape and a lustrous finish. Made of zinc, the knob has a tooth on the bottom for grip and to secure the knob in position.
Favorite Part of the Job
“I love any opportunity to create, and my job is 24/7 creation. I have the chance to influence many facets of the marketing world from compelling copy, engaging graphics, to thinking of the consumer when creating concepts for products.”
– Zelasko, Berenson Corp.
“My favorite part of the job is that moment during the creative process when design and function come together, and a new collection comes to life.”
– Zimmer, Top Knobs
“The best bit of my job is that I get to design and create without any filters. I can dream up anything I want and then try and sell it. If people buy it, then I have done my job well; if people don’t, then at least I’ve enjoyed the process.”
– Minale, Buster + Punch
