What is the general outlook for new furniture design by a relatively unknown designer in a market saturated with vintage and retro design? Are "new designs" more or less not wanted? Or is it because there are so few of us trying to get a foothold in an industry that is not ready for us yet? An industry that's currently preoccupied with the past as opposed to focusing on the future. I've been tracking a few designers who started out small and are now to the point where they're opening their fifth or sixth showroom. However, all of them can be counted using one hand. What are my chances of success? I would love a professional opinion on this matter.

I think it all depends on the designs you are producing. If there is a demand for them then you will be successful. Of course many collectors that are interested in modern design only want vintage pieces so you may not find much interest from that market.

In the past few years we have seen a huge surge in the general public's interest in modern design so you have the ability to sell to a much larger audience now than a few years back. But at the same time you have mass-producers such as Ikea that are filling that void with much cheaper products. So you have to find a more affluent audience that likes Modern Design but wants a better quality product. Perhaps an uphill battle but certainly one that many have waged successfully.

Good luck!

Barry Bryant
GOMOD.COM :: bringing modern design home