Designer

Simon Legald

Danish design is characterised by minimalism, functionality and tradition. [...] Like most people, I am a product of my environment, so it is natural for me to explore my own...

Born in 1986, Simon Legald is a Danish product designer based in Copenhagen. After graduating from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 2012, he became a pioneer of the wave of young Scandinavian designers, working on both large-scale and small-scale projects. He blends craftsmanship and industrial design harmoniously, whilst visually highlighting the structural aspects of a piece.

‘Honesty is what makes a product understandable, and it is what defines the functionality of the designs. If you understand the product, it needs no explanation. The essence of my design is to be bought and used. Consequently, it must satisfy not only functional aspects, but also psychological and aesthetic needs. For me, simplicity captures the true identity of objects and makes them trustworthy. In my designs, I try not to add unnecessary details.”

It was before he had even finished his studies that Simon Legald’s work was spotted by the Danish brand Normann Copenhagen, which launched the Sumo pouffe – his first bestseller – on a large scale. This collaboration has now been ongoing for several years and has resulted in new collections.

One example is the Amp range of pendant lights, a classic yet warm blown-glass design that reflects the vintage feel of Legald’s work. With his keen eye for detail, the designer offers each of his models in two different finishes – marble and gold – for stylistic flexibility.

The Hyg chair collection pays homage to the word ‘hygge’, synonymous with well-being, and is available in a wide range of chairs – high, low, office and on castors. The generous yet refined silhouette of these designs reflects Simon Legald’s identity.