the power of self-production

An overwhelming amount of self-producers and specialized tiny companies have been presenting their force during the past years and I believe we will be watching many more coming into the design market. Take Tom Dixon and Inflate in UK; the young company Sphaus and the collective Industreal in Italy; the dutch group Cultivate or Contraforma in Lithuania. Not to mention the vast army of young designers that self-produce and sell their creations crowding events such as Salone Satellite, 100% Design, Designersblock and many more.
Young talents, good ideas, high quality products, handicraft, regional expertise, new technologies and reduced series characterize this exciting trend; and I do think lots of innovation will be coming from these small entrepreneurs.
The drivers fueling this trend are to be found in the need for special objects; the possibilities for customization; the difficulties of having big name companies investing in young, unknown designers; the global reach thanks to internet and the will of being in control of one's life.