Surface Impressions is an exhibition highlighting the dynamic interactions between a material’s physical properties and the results of creative techniques applied to it. This exhibition includes 9 local and international designers exploring how materials can respond to different processes, leading to unexpected outcomes and applications.

As part of their commitment to sustainability and fostering design talent, Umbra is introducing a new 0.6mm recycled uncoated leather to their roster. With its paper-like thinness and flexibility, this material offers a unique opportunity for creative exploration. Designers were asked to consider how its physical properties can be leveraged, challenged, or even transformed to yield interesting results.

These designs emphasize the material’s innate qualities while exploring its potential for use in the whole environment we live and work in, blending form and function in unexpected ways.

Video Credits: Vincent Schwenk @vincentschwenk and Vitaly Grossmann @vitalygrossmann

MAIDANKINE (Christian Maidankine)

Hold Tight
Leather, wood

Hold Tight is an exploration of recycled leather, using its properties to become a type of container. This object is constructed of a rigid wood frame with strips of leather tightly held across the members. Wrapping over and across each other, it becomes an object for the home which can hold any of our various possessions: produce, accessories, or office supplies. Designed in natural materials, Hold Tight is meant to add a series of warm elements throughout the home.

This prototype is designed as a tabletop version, but can ultimately be scaled to a floor or even wall unit. Multiples can be playfully put together in tower arrangements, allowing people to build their homes in a way that suits them best.

Christian Maidankine has completed his master of architecture at Toronto Metropolitan University and is now an artist-in-residence at Harbourfront Centre. His background in architecture and interest in making has led to an exploration with various materials, mostly leather. Having aphantasia—the inability to imagine any types of visuals or sensations—has developed a process which is rooted in making through iteration. Sketchbooks are constantly filled with notes and drawings, moving into maquettes, full-scale mockups, and into the final material. Documentation is key to this process to record observations and suggestions for future work.

Craft and design play an integral role in our lives, and working with leather has allowed MAIDANKINE to explore aspects which we, quite literally, carry with us in our everyday lives. Mostly bags, MAIDANKINE’s work carefully considers making, craft, and the person who the object is for.

maidankine.com/

Amunì (Dominic Montante and Eugenio Schiano)

Corium
Steel, plastic, recycled leather

Corium is a standing floor lamp that draws its inspiration from the ubiquitous design of city street lights. The main arm of the lamp extends upwards at an angle, creating a dynamic silhouette that evokes the familiar form of outdoor urban lighting. Leather drapes gently over the light source, connecting the boldness of the city exterior with the softness and warmth of interior spaces. It serves not only as a functional shade but also as a tactile reminder of the comforts of the indoors, offering a gentle, atmospheric glow that transforms any room into a cozy, welcoming environment.

Corium is a perfect blend of modern industrial style and homely elegance, making it a versatile addition to any contemporary living space. Whether placed in a living room, office, or bedroom, its understated design enhances the space, offering both practical illumination and a sculptural presence that echoes the beauty of urban landscapes.

Amunì is a nomadic industrial design studio that brings a global perspective to products. We’re proud to say we have no fixed location because it allows us to absorb local surroundings and bring those fresh ideas into what we do. Amunì is Sicilian for “let’s go”—with the dual meaning of let’s go to our next destination, a nod to the studio’s nomadic nature, and let’s go get this project started.

Amunì is currently composed of two designers: Dom and Eugenio, who take pride in their shared Italian heritage, seeking to carry on the spirit of both their centuries-long family traditions of hand craftsmanship in the work they produce.

When the studio is not moving, it has two small home bases in Colombia and Argentina.

amuni.studio/

RICOSTUDIO (Eric Beauchemin, Margot Corbat and Charlie Collet)

Axium
Polished stainless steel structure, recycled leather, cork

This pin tray utilizes the flexibility and strength of recycled leather, stretched between the outer structure and the horizontal steel clip to create a functional cavity.

The design balances the sturdiness of the thick metal frame with the softness and lightness of the leather. The interplay of shapes creates a natural flow from the solid, rounded structure to the delicate, horizontal stem, subtly inviting the user to place items inside. When the pin tray is placed on any surface, a cork cushion allows a soft contact between the tray and furniture. The opened bottom allows anyone to see the other side of the fabric and note that the promise of lightness and minimalism was kept. The simplicity of the polished steel helps enhance the presence of the leather. This tray is ideal to throw in keys, coins, and other small objects, helping to keep them organized and within easy reach.

Ricostudio is a Montreal-based industrial design firm. We design thoughtful products and creative spaces that connect emotionally with people. We work on innovation driven projects for all types of organizations that strive to stand out and challenge the status quo in their industry. We also design and sell our own products under the brand Thoughts and Objects or T+O. The T+O brand is a collaborative platform between designers and manufacturers, focusing on producing small, exclusive series of sustainable objects designed for those who appreciate beautiful things made the right way.

ricostudio.ca/

Attirail Design Office (Gilbert Fortin and Guillaume Roy)

Network
Recycled leather, stainless steel sheet, stainless steel wire, steel wire stoppers

Network is a lightweight shelf that redefines how we organize and showcase everyday items. It is designed to hold both essentials and decorative pieces, creating a thoughtful space for your objects.

By combining innovative recycled leather and a thin sheet of stainless steel, Network achieves a slim profile while maintaining exceptional sturdiness. Its suspended structure and raw materials emphasize the honesty and lightness of the design. Over time, the recycled leather develops a rich patina, adding depth and character to this piece.

With quiet elegance, Network invites you to rethink organizing and displaying your belongings, seamlessly adapting to your space and objects.

Attirail design office aims at incorporating balance and functionality into everyday objects and gear, focusing on producing designs that are durable and enjoyable. The studio’s approach is based on instinct and exploration, seeking the junction between sensibility and rationalism.

Our team’s various interests and combined experience in many fields makes it possible for us to work on products ranging from houseware to sports equipment, fashion accessories and technical clothing.

attiraildesignoffice.com/

Jazmin Wolff

SatURN
Wire, recycled leather

The SatURN light draws its inspiration from the toroidal shapes of planetary magnetic fields, particularly those surrounding celestial bodies like Saturn. This design reflects the dynamic flow of energy and the natural geometry of the universe, symbolizing the interconnectedness of life.

The light promotes well-being by harnessing the psychological benefits of geometric forms that mirror nature's organic patterns. Humans are instinctively drawn to these shapes, as they resonate with the natural world, fostering an atmosphere of tranquility and balance. The circle and torus are timeless motifs across cultures, often representing unity and the infinite cycle of life.

The SatURN light harmonizes with its surroundings, offering both aesthetic and functional value. As a wall fixture, it brings elegance and warmth to any space, casting a soft, intricate shadow that adds visual depth. Its adaptable design makes it the perfect addition to any interior, enhancing the ambiance and elevating the space.

Jazmin Wolff is an interior designer focused on creating spaces that enhance occupant well-being and comfort while respecting the context and culture of each site. She gained valuable experience designing light fixtures at the Design Fabrication Zone at Toronto Metropolitan University, merging functionality with innovative design.

jazminwolff4.wixsite.com/portfolio

JDH Projects (Jeremy Joo)

Lined Bottle Rack
Steel, recycled leather

The Lined Bottle Rack is made of a single sheet of steel, bent and lined with recycled leather. The cold steel is softened by the leather, providing a gentle landing for glass bottles. The rack holds three bottles and can be stacked to form a larger set.

JDH Projects is a design studio, established in Toronto in 2018 by Korean artist, Jeremy Do Hyun Joo. The studio focuses on furniture, objects, and spaces, spirited by the proportions and forms within Asia and Africa. Primarily through natural materials, JDH Projects produces works that strike the tension between the simple and complex, concomitant of the ebb and flow of memory and time.

jdhprojects.com

Kutarq Studio (Jordi López Aguiló)

EQUIS Lounge Chair
Plywood, recycled leather, 3-d printed connectors

The EQUIS Lounge Chair features a distinctive X-shaped structure that adds both a unique visual appeal and exceptional stability. The seat is composed of two sided recycled leather, reinforced and sewed on the edges, and a CNC cut plywood structure.

 What sets the EQUIS Lounge Chair apart is its versatility. With its flat-pack structure, it can be easily shipped and stored, making it ideal for compact living spaces. The chair's simple assembly process, taking just 5 minutes without any additional tools, makes it a fresh addition to any home or office space. The chair's name, EQUIS, is derived from the Spanish word for 'X', paying homage to its iconic shape.

Leading Kutarq Studio, architect and designer Jordi López Aguiló designs lighting, objects and furniture with a unique and pragmatic perspective. Each project involves a methodical process that emphasizes both material and in-depth research. With the constant challenge of revealing the "soul" behind his objects, he creates honest and timeless designs with a life of their own. After spending time abroad collaborating with prestigious architecture firms in Paris and Copenhagen, he settled down in his home town Valencia where he's been leading his own studio since 2012. His work has been exhibited internationally, including at Milan Design Week, New York ICFF, Copenhagen 3 days of design, Frankfurt Light & Building, Neocon Chicago, Tokyo Design Week, Seoul Living Design Fair, Stockholm Furniture Fair and Paris Maison&Objet to name a few.

kutarq.com

Khadija Aziz

Haptic Bowl
Recycled leather, nylon thread, cotton yarn

Haptic Bowl is a smocked decorative vessel that serves multiple functions, such as a succulent pot sleeve or dry fruit bowl. Smocking is a stitching technique traditionally used to add stretch to a cloth or to manipulate its surface to create three-dimensional repeat patterns. By applying this technique to the paper-like nature of recycled leather, the artist explores the contrast between softness and rigidity, testing the material’s ability to fold and crease in new ways. The addition of crochet with cotton yarn reinforces the structural integrity of the bowl, ensuring it retains its form while maintaining a tactile softness. Through this fusion of traditional craft techniques and innovative materials, Haptic Bowl offers a tactile experience and invites the reimagining of everyday objects through the lens of sustainability, texture, and functionality.

Khadija Aziz is an interdisciplinary, Toronto-based artist and educator. Driven by a love for playfulness and experimentation, she investigates the making and transformation of patterns through hand-machine collaboration. By marrying slow textile-making techniques with spontaneous digital manipulation methods, she explores the potentials of digital materiality, bringing the digital into physical and the tangible into digital spaces. Her art practice has been recognized with awards from Craft Ontario in 2019 and 2020 and from the Surface Design Association in 2020. I have an MFA from Concordia University (2023) and a BFA from OCAD University (2020). Khadija is currently an artist-in-residence at the Harbourfront Centre’s Textile Studio.

khadijaaziz.com

Mal Yu

Rondo
Recycled leather, paint 

The Rondo rug is a contemporary take on the iconic intrecciato weave, reimagined with a circular pattern that shifts away from the traditional grid-like structure. This 3-foot, double-sided rug features two distinct colorways, offering flexibility and multi use functionality—simply flip it over to refresh your space with a new palette. The intricate radial weave creates a dynamic, eye-catching aesthetic, bringing movement and energy to any room. Its design balances artistry and practicality, making it a versatile piece for various interiors, from living rooms and bedrooms to creative workspaces. The interplay of colors and textures invites curiosity and interaction, while the rug’s craftspersonship ensures both visual appeal and durability. Whether as a bold centerpiece or a subtle accent, Rondo transforms your space with its unique form and dual-purpose design.

By integrating thoughtful concepts with technical design thinking, Toronto based designer Mal Yu creates objects that blend playfulness with emotional depth, distilling fleeting moments into impactful forms. Their approach centers on an unconventional articulation of form and function, resulting in works that redefine space with creativity and purpose, reflecting and transforming familiar aspects of material culture.

malyu.ca