Playbook Press Release
August 19th, 2021 Written by: Bernhardt Design
NEW YORK, NY – Former Nike Global Designer Director, Scott Wilson, formed his own studio, MINIMAL, in 2007. Since then, he has made an international name for himself creating singular projects for a “who’s who” list of the best global brands. A brilliant array of technical and digital projects, complemented by consumer products and furnishings, create his exceptional portfolio. Jerry Helling, President and Creative Director of Bernhardt Design, maintains working with Scott is a stroke of good fortune. “He is exposed to a myriad of information regarding how the world is working today and consequently what the needs will be in coming years. He brings so much tribal knowledge and experience to the table when creating a product.” The product in this instance is Playbook, a comprehensive table collection which will be introduced the Fall of 2020.
“The key to great design is balance,” states Wilson. “The balance between form and function, flexibility and simplicity, quality and cost, newness and timelessness. Our goal with Playbook was to balance all these elements to provide customers with a flexible and elegant table system that is appropriate for many different environments, applications and budgets.” Wilson continues, “Playbook was designed to be a refined, considered, and elegant supporting character – not one that dominates a room. It exudes quiet confidence that complements the interior architect’s vision of the space. Its fresh approach subtly provides features that are thoughtfully simple, honest, and obvious. Nothing was left to randomness.”
The Playbook system offers a table for every occasion, from large boardrooms that can seat thirty people to private conference rooms suitable for ten. Round and square breakout tables range in size from 96” down to 30”. The tables are available in two heights to accommodate lounge seating and customary conference chairs, as well as café, bar height, and mobile options. Freestanding upholstered media walls, featuring table extensions, are part of the offering which facilitates easy reconfiguration of space.
Every table is a blank canvas that allows you to use color and materials to customize the ideal piece for your space. Bases are available in polished aluminum and seven powdercoat colors ranging from deep red to bronze and steel blue to graphite. Tops can be selected in rich veneers such as paldao, walnut, ash, oak, maple and cherry. Laminate tops range from solid colors, including soft touch laminate, to a wide array of eye-catching and fashionable wood grain options.
Managing technology has become a 21st century challenge. In an effort to make this process manageable and more intuitive, Playbook presents a proprietary technology management system. Unsightly excess cables are stored under the table surface in PowerBay, a molded felt compartment for easy access. In addition, both WorkHub and Powertrack bring connectivity to the tabletop in a stylish manner and give you the technology you need at your fingertips.
Playbook – the table system for all occasions.
“Fueled by curiosity, we are an agile collective of designers, engineers, strategists, and storytellers focused on making ideas reality. At MINIMAL we cultivate multi-talented innovators. We invest in our culture and craft to stimulate collaboration and enrich creativity.” Scott Wilson
MINIMAL was founded in 2007 by Scott Wilson, former Nike Global Design Director and one of Time magazine’s and Fast Company’s Most Influential Designers. Recipient of the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award, an honor bestowed on the top designer in the country, he and his team of award-winning, diversely talented design professionals are forever looking for opportunities to create new categories and elevate existing ones
MINIMAL is comprised of an eclectic team of designers, story-tellers, strategists, developers and engineers working together to create meaningful innovation for brands, products and those who engage with them. They bring diverse experience gained from such industry leading companies as IDEO, Nike, Motorola, Leo Burnett, Fallon and Abbott. From concept to execution, custom teams are assembled for each program’s needs.
Located in the heart of Chicago’s Fulton Market Innovation District, MINIMAL HQ features a 10k sqft. multiple bow-truss studio, with dedicated project rooms and plenty of space and flexibility to accommodate clients, startups and
incubated brands.
ABOUT BERNHARDT DESIGN
Bernhardt Design was founded in 1980 by the 130-year-old Bernhardt Furniture Company and continues to be a leader and innovator in furniture design and production. During the past 20 years, President Jerry Helling has assembled an extraordinary creative team that has positioned Bernhardt Design as one of the leading international design companies with a roster of talent that includes: Ross Lovegrove (London), Arik Levy (Paris), Jaime Hayon (Valencia), Luca Nichetto (Venice), Yves Béhar (San Francisco), Patrick Jouin (Paris), Fabien Baron (New York), Monica Förster (Stockholm), CuldeSac (Valencia), Mario Bellini (Milan), NoéDuchaufour-Lawrance (Lisbon), Raleigh Denim (Raleigh), Farg& Blanche (Stockholm), Charles Pollock (New York), Claudia and Harry Washington (San Salvador), Anabela Chan (London), OcéaneDelain (Paris), Joe Gebbia (San Francisco), Tift Merritt (Raleigh), and Terry Crews (Los Angeles).
Setting a precedent for leadership within the corporate community, Bernhardt Design founded and annually sponsors an interdisciplinary course with the world-renowned Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, challenging students to create world-class designs for mass production. The company also sponsors the ICFF Studio, a scholarship program that provides emerging design talent exposure to manufacturers, retailers, and media from around the world.
American Design Honors, an annual award to recognize the most noteworthy American designers, was established by Bernhardt Design in 2010. Internationally, Bernhardt Design supports young designers through their sponsorship of the annual Contempo program conceived to advance the design profession in El Salvador, and America Made Me, a program to promote new brands and young American design talent abroad.
