He focuses on minimalist and timeless design. Nicolas Nicer is a multidisciplinary industrial design designer. As part of his studio Nicer Design, he has designed many utilitarian objects with a common denominator of high quality and beautiful detail. Nicer’s portfolio includes practical containers, bottles, light sculpture-like lamps, birdhouses or advanced household appliances. Nicer combines Scandinavian minimalism with an original approach to form, and his designs have already won numerous industry awards. We take a closer look at Nicer and describe a selection of his designs.
He grew up in a family of visual artists and designers, which influenced his sense of aesthetics and creativity. When he was still in primary school, he often sat in the studio of his grandfather, the sculptor Jerzy Kędziora. There he could observe how the ideas born in the artist’s head were transformed into tangible objects. These experiences led him to begin and complete his studies in industrial design engineering at the Cracow University of Technology. He earned his master’s degree from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.
These studies taught me how to organise my work, and through them I mastered the process of design thinking. My education is therefore an original combination of two systems. One is still based on a lot of improvisation and spontaneity, and the other is very organised and sometimes even overly restrictive. I myself am somewhere in between,” admits Nicolas Nicer.
Knowledge and experience
Two work experiences have had a huge impact on the quality of his work. The first was an internship at Bang & Olufsen in Denmark, where he learned responsibility and composure in design work. The second happened through a stay of several weeks in Japan together with students from Delft, where he interned at several companies, including MUJI, Panasonic and Ricoh. There he learnt the visual synthesis and economy of form that are fundamental to Japanese design. This can be seen well in his recent projects.
Nicolas Nicer’s portfolio includes the hoods he designed for Ciarko Design. Among the most characteristic ones are the Mono, Simple and Icon models. These are examples of modern technology enclosed in minimalist housings, which not only fulfil their basic functions in the kitchen, but also decorate the interiors.
Design ABC by Mikołaj Nicer
Artera lamp BONBON
BONBON lamps are visually light and pleasant. Their name directly alludes to candy. Smooth, glossy surfaces and pastel colours are associated with softness and elegance. They emphasise the depth created by the light in contact with the opal glass. The gentle glow of the lamps catches the eye and brings a fresh touch to the interior. The designer has created several versions of the lamps that differ in colour and purpose. There are some that can be hung from the ceiling and others that can be used for reading books while lying comfortably in bed.
Ciarko Design MONO hood
This is the first project that Nicolas Nicer has done for Ciarko. The MONO hood is a modern and timeless design that not only absorbs unwanted odours, but also adorns kitchens with different aesthetics. Not surprisingly, the hood has won many prestigious awards. These include must have, Good Design and iF Design Award Gold. There were 11,000 entries to the iF Design Award competition and only 75 were awarded, so the award for the Polish design is an exceptional achievement.
Ciarko Design FLUO hood
The collection was inspired by the dynamics of the movement of the sucked air. The hood consists of modules that can be customised to suit your needs. The well-thought-out design gives you the opportunity to play with colour. The canopy can have a different colour than the extractor, affecting the attractiveness of the room. The FLUO canopy consists of a smooth, minimalist tube and a soft, rounded lower element. The bold juxtaposition of matt and shiny surfaces gives the canopy a unique character. The modularity of the unit makes it a favourite among interior designers.
Ciarko Design ICON hood
The inspiration for this canopy collection came from the idea of totemic modularity – some elements come together to form a cohesive whole, while others are scalable, allowing them to function as standalone products. This concept provides the collection with exceptional flexibility and functionality to suit a variety of user needs. The collection is scheduled for release in mid-2025.
Ciarko Design SIMPLE hood
The SIMPLE model is an example of a simple yet thoughtful design. The highlight of the hood is the back wall, which has been elongated, marking the chamber that absorbs steam and odours. Hidden inside is a light source that gives the product a dynamic character and highlights its work. The colour of the light (cold or warm) can be adjusted to match other lamps in the room. Interestingly, the canopy can be controlled by gestures, which is useful and removes the risk of the appliance getting dirty. The design of the canopy won the iF Design Award and must have.
Numbird birdhouses
Numbird is a collection of nest boxes in the shape of numbers, designed to mark street addresses on buildings. Their design was made by Nicolas Nicer with his father, Paul Frej. By choosing the right combination of digits and mounting them on the front of a building, you can share your space with birds. An important aspect of the project is the process of assembling and mounting the box, which the designer encourages to be done as a family. The designers’ aim is to involve all residents in the process and strengthen the bond between them. We wrote more about the Numbird project HERE.
Moxom containers OpenStore
OpenStore is a collection of versatile, openwork containers for storage and space organisation. The innovative design includes ergonomic handles that facilitate convenient handling and also optimises stacking, which has a significant impact on the efficiency of storage, warehousing and transport. OpenStore will adapt to a variety of user needs with its wide selection of sizes and colours. Nikolai Nicer has been awarded the iF Design Award, the German Design Award and the Good Design Award for the design of the containers.
Detergent bottle
The detergents available on the market sparkle with a fever of colours. It is no surprise that we hide the containers in cupboards and utility rooms. The answer to the motley and bland nature of these containers is the Nicer Design bottle. The object is distinguished by a muted colour scheme with a clear label. In the corner section, the bottle has a handy handle, which is designed based on a circle. The top of the bottle is crowned with a transparent cap and a copper-brown thread. A detergent that looks like this can be boldly displayed in the kitchen or bathroom.
Nicolas Nicer is a designer who combines passion with functionality in his work. He creates unique designs that are gaining worldwide recognition. He is definitely one of the most promising names in Polish industrial design. Mikołaj Nicer talked more about his work in an interview published in the 24th issue of whiteMAD magazine. You can get the issue at HERE.
Nicer Design website: www.nicer.design
source: Nicer Design, compiled by the editors
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