Media

MMT & Makita Collaborate in Social Partnership

June 2017

Makita Power Tools South Africa (Makita), one of the world’s largest power tool manufacturers, and Mike Made This (MMT), a bespoke manufacturing brand specialising in custom-made furniture, recently announced a ‘social’ partnership which will give both brands’ followers a chance to gain insight into their projects, collaborations and of course, giveaways.

The partnership sees a 12-month agreement in which Mike Mason, founder and craftsman behind the MMT brand, puts to use some of the Makita Power Tool products in MMT’s various bespoke projects. “Many of our followers have a tendency towards DIY and I think it would be useful for them to gain insight into the Makita Power Tool products and how they can be used,” comments Mike.

Jean-Pierre du Plessis, Marketing Manager at Makita Power Tools South Africa believes that aligning the two brands together will help educate the public about both brands. He states, “Makita is a quality industrial product which wants to align with MMT and the unique quality products which they produce.”

To kick off the social campaign, Makita and MMT created a Facebook competition for the Father’s Day long-weekend (16 – 19 June 2017) which had over 350 entries. The winner, who was selected in lucky draw, walked away with a brand-new Makita Power Drill (model HP 1630) to the value of R1749. Both brands promise to bring additional competitions and giveaways to their followers within the year.

Makita and MMT followers are encouraged to follow both brands on social media to stay up-to-date with the latest giveaways, collaborations and special projects.

For more information about Makita’s Power Tools South Africa and their products visit www.makita.co.za

MMT by Design 2016

2016 sees the arrival of the second MMT by Design competition. A collaboration between Mike Made This (MMT) and the Design School Southern Africa (DSSA).

Continuing from the success of 2015, which recognised DSSA third year students Christiaan Schutte and Sinelle van Rooyen as the two competition finalists, the competition aims to once again bring together the worlds of design and manufacture. This year also sees the addition of a new element for students who as part of their design brief were asked to give consideration to and make provision for universal design.

The concept of universal design is not new to the design world and was developed from a philosophy which promotes the design of products, environments, programmes and services to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialised design. Architect and Universal Access Consultant, Hiten Bawa, was included as part of the brief and judging team this year.

To meet the requirements of the competition the design students were asked to design a wadrobe or clothing closet. Besides incorporating principles of universal accessibility into their design, students had to design a piece that was aligned to current trends, manage space constraints and provide adequate storage. Marks are allocated in line with the criteria by both Mike and Hiten, judges for this years’ competition.

“Introducing a new element to the competition has provided a good challenge to the students as we’re asking them to consider the usability of their designs. Balancing functionality and form is so important when translating ideas into real-life pieces,” comments Mike Mason, Director and Founder of MMT.

This years’ finalists will once again have their pieces brought life by the team from MMT and showcase them at the 100% Design show in Johannesburg from 5 – 9 August 2016. The public will be invited to vote for whose design they think should win the competition, with both finalists receiving prizes from MMT. “We look forward to once again be showcasing the MMT by Design collaboration alongside DSSA,” states Mike.

For more information about 100% Design JHB visit http://www.100percentdesign.co.za/.

Mike Made This attends its third Decorex

This year saw the Mike Made This (MMT) team attend its 3^rd Decorex – a great show indeed!

The MMT stand, which followed a ‘steampunk’ look and feel – a subgenre of science fiction and sometimes fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery –, received fantastic feedback.

“Mike always makes an extra effort to showcase something original and uniquely MMT,” said Beth Cook, brand ambassador for MMT. “This year’s theme was inspired by many of the pieces that Mike makes from reclaimed materials, each of which has their own story.”

Included on the stand’s display of inspired pieces from reclaimed material was a solid wood table built from reclaimed 1955 Oregon Pine floorboards that belonged to an old Premeir Foods factory. Other statement pieces included a side unit built from a vintage Frances Baret motorcycle, affectionately known as a Fanny B, which drew a lot of attention from the passing crowd. Also in the mix of vintage, reclaimed pieces was an eye-catching coffee table made from a reclaimed industrial extractor fan from an early 1900’s factory.

The latter two pieces were once-offs for the show and found their way into new homes.

The stand was well-received by both Decorex and the public, and deserving of the Excellence Award from the Decorex team. “An interesting wall display”, “Uncluttered stand”, and “Some very unique pieces,” was just some of the feedback that Mike received from Decorex’s executive team and judges. “A truly inspiring and amazing stand. Loved the creative thought in all the pieces,” said Dinesh Diar, a member of the public.

Also featured within Decorex portfolio were the finalists in the exciting initiative between MMT and the Design School Southern Africa. MMT by Design, a competition that allowed design students to design a workplace or writing desk, saw two finalists having their pieces manufactured by Mike. The two desks were displayed on a separate stand downstairs in the 100% Design Hall, an international show which saw many established and acclaimed designers and design companies showcasing their articles.

As part of the initiative, the public were invited to vote for the winning desk during the course of the show. It was a great success with over 650 entries received. Sinelle van Rooyen, student designer and finalist in the competition came in first place with Christiaan Schutte as a close runner up. Both students received a cash prize from Mike and will be partaking in a 40-hour internship in his factory.

“The competition offered students the opportunity to engage in vital hands-on, practical knowledge of furniture design and created a wonderful platform for the students to make a name for themselves,” explains Maretha Olivier, Interior Design Programme Manager at DSSA.

Both designs will be put into production by the team at MMT, who will be partnering with various retailers on the project.

Mike Mason, Director and Founder of Mike Made This believes that attending the show adds real value to the brand, “The show was a great success for both MMT and the students involved in MMT by Design and the team is looking forward to another unique showcase in 2016.”

To see the highlights from the shows click here

MMT by Design Competition 2015

June 2015

In an effort to discover young talented designers, Mike Made This (MMT), a multi-disciplinary design and furniture manufacturing company, is collaborating with the Design School Southern Africa (DSSA) to bringing their students’ visions to life and offer them to the public.

The competition, MMT by Design, was launched at the beginning of May 2015 and will run over a course of 3 months, culminating with an inspiring exhibition at 100% Design Johannesburg in August 2015.

“Design School Southern Africa strives to unlock students’ creative potential and to ensure that the students are well-rounded, industry-ready designers,” explains Maretha Olivier, Interior Design Programme Manager at DSSA.

The brief was simple: design a writing or workplace desk of a contemporary nature that incorporates natural materials. Students were asked to keep their target audience in mind when they were designing, as the designs are to be judged against a number of important criteria before the finalists are selected. “We want to manufacture the pieces and offer them to the public,” explains Mike Mason, founder and director of MMT. “The students therefore need to design something that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also practical and useful.”

The judging panel to select the two finalist pieces included Mike of MMT, David Lotter of Sotran tropical décor and furniture and Tim Prins, Interior Designer & Accredited Green Building Council Professional. The two finalist designs will be manufactured by Mike himself, and the students will have the opportunity to exhibit their pieces at 100% Design.  The finalists will also be given an opportunity to work with Mike in his studio as part of a short week internship.

“The competition will offer students the opportunity to engage in vital hands-on, practical knowledge of furniture design and create a wonderful platform for the students to make a name for themselves,” says Maretha.

Showcasing the two finalist pieces at 100% Design will offer the public a chance to have their say and vote on the winning design.

For more information, please contact Mike Mason mike@mikemadethis.co.za