CASE STUDY
The Challenging Design Brief
Jatex International USA
.
2005 - Nov 2006: Jatex International, USA Design:
Furniture and Accessories
Appointed with the brief to bring immediate fresh
change to unusual blend of product ranges
which became one of my biggest career challenges.
Jatex wanted a spicy twist of Turkish
wovens, copper features, warm tones and Italian flair.
This posed problems of material
handling: I created 3 stories which were made in
2 forms:
1. Copper: XXL Minimalist bowls and platter sets
2. Soft Furniture: Ethnic weaves and leathers dash
Italian frames dash Chicago Lounger
SWOT:
My key concern was that the two partners were not in accord.
I had to work with two different world views to find
a common theme.
Additionally because copper was unpopular
in the market place I struggled to dig out a "Look".
Creative Challenge: I had not designed metal wares
for 2 years and I felt a bit 'rusty' mmm sorry about that..
After a failed plate design while working on site in Istanbul,
I created bolder forms, large minimalist platters and bowls
that overcame style limitations and thankfully these came
through sampling beautifully and were an immediate success.
I found the threads by pure hard work, extra long hours and finally
I pulled together the edges forming a unique brand for Jatex:
Classic Chicago lounge, minimalist and rich spicy twists.
“Jatex now have a truly popular Global theme


- Finding the brand ID for Jatex International USA needed a sharp eye for line as the
- detailing required the signature richness of copper leaf or copper inlay.
Tasks:
Attended Atlanta, Canton shows and comp shopped/researched
new product skus.
Sourced complimentary story of Zen ceramics from Foshan China and Asia.
Designed new collection of 40 pieces in the exhibition hall, on site and
in UK studio. Set up China sourcing agency.Furniture was another big challenge
because the client wanted for example a very high quality chair frame sourced
from China.
I tasked Fanny Xiang my long time Girl Friday to source the manufacturers
and we arrive a few weeks later.
After a flood of disappointments I secured a manufacturer and stayed in
order to secure the quality of detail and upholstery.

• Furniture Design Project: Sourced manufacturer in China for 2
painted furniture collections comprising 4 styles. Sets included
also, storage sideboards, low tables and consoles, all in
rich dark patinas and aged painted finishes following Chippendale
simple elegance lines with Oriental hints.

• 2 ranges of fusion Ebonised living room sets including
kilim-leather mix loungers, armchairs, sideboard, storage,
low tables, corner tables, console tables and hall stands –
sharper lines and inlayed walnut veneer details.
Bedroom sets to match included armoires, night stands,
headboards, mirrors, storage chests, and
dressing tables.
Nick Garrett Desight / nickgarrett2828@yahoo.co.uk
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