* Please note that the open call is closed now.

Both motivated professional designers and students can apply. We’re looking for creatives that care about circularity and who want to contribute for the better. Creatives who are eager to collaborate with the commercial side of the furniture industry on another level.

* Please note that the open call is closed now.

Simply fill in the form below.

*The open call is closed now. Thank you all for the great applications!

* Please note that the open call is closed now.

Thinking out of the box, within the limits of a traditional furniture factory. Rethink Softly aims to find applicable outcomes for the industry.

Your concept does not have to be a final design idea. You apply in words in the form, in which you share your thoughts. Together we bring it to up to the next level.

Let me tell you.

* Please note that the open call is closed now.

8 February 2023 • 23:59

* Please note that the open call is closed now.

• 3-day trip to Ankara, all expenses covered (travel, accommodation, living expenses) * It is also possible to apply as a team. Each team must select its representative, who will complete the application, will speak for the team, and will travel to Turkey in the event of their design proposal being selected.

• Monetary compensation of €1000,-

• Two design prototypes: one for the Rethink Softly exhibition and one for the designer.

• Professional photographs of your finished prototype when it will be decided to take in the collection of deberenn.

Most important is your chance to contribute your innovative ideas for a better way of creating soft seating furniture for the circular economy.

* Please note that the open call is closed now.

The host of the project, deberenn will have the chance to get to know you. Keeping both designers’ and suppliers’ best interest at heart, both parties will be required to sign a contract protecting their intellectual rights.

In case a result of the project seems interesting to take into production and collection of deberenn a royalty contract will be signed, and the designer’s name will be promoted.

* Please note that the open call is closed now.

Applications till •• 8 Febr. ‘23 • 23:59

Selection & Fundraising •• 10 Febr. – 31 April.

Team announcement •• 1 May ‘23

Team introductions •• 1 – 30 May

Brainstorm workshop •• 1 June – 31 Aug ‘23

Workshops Ankara •• 1 Sept – 30 Oct.

Exhibitions will follow after Sept. ‘23.

* Please note that the open call is closed now.

Definitely not! Circularity requires collaboration. Rethink softly believes in forcing strengths and knowledge to work together for a more environmentally friendly future for the furniture industry. The open call is meant to bring people together and to build up a team of designers from different disciplines to experiment with the topic in various ways.

* Please note that the open call is closed now.

The project is initiated by Rianne Koens of Otura Design who aims to contribute to global furniture development with circularity-oriented approaches. Koens found collaboration with de Berenn Furniture Factory and support of Creative Fund NL. The project promotes young designers, engages with the wider public to share awareness of the importance of circularity and underlines the values of design.

It strives to build communities to share knowledge and experiment with the best alternative for polyurethane foam.

There are no ins and outs. All connections made through this channel are valuable. Rethink Softly is a long-term project with different aspects so you’re in as soon you join.

For the first planned activities for 2023 we need to create a team with the aim to find the best solution on the short term.

These selections will be made by:

Mustafa Kadioglu (tr) •• Owner deberenn factory.

Rianne Koens (nl) •• Initiator Rethink Softly.

Ferda Ulutaş İşevi (tr) •• Senior consultant for sustainability and circular economy.

Still have questions? Reach out to us at we@rethinksoftly.org and we’ll be happy to help.