At Format Design, we believe in the power of a strong concept. Combined with a functional and beautiful form with a focus on the human body and environment. Our goal is to design relevant long-lasting products.

What we do:

Format design provides a wide range of design services such as:

Furniture- and product design, with relation to the human body as a crucial aspect.
Spatial designs that make use of custom-made furniture and limited editions.
Consultation in: research, branding, collection optimization, product development, color/material schemes, and customer segmentation.

The design:

We always see our designs as objects that are part of something bigger - They serve a purpose - Sometimes, that purpose is to be engaging and charismatic. At other times to be modest and practical.

No matter what, our design has to be: aesthetic, self-explaining and comfortable, and honest in both materials and how we make them.

We are proud of our Danish design heritage while we also strive to push the design evolution further in a responsible yet joyful way.

At the studio, we believe that the world does not need more products – it needs better ones.

The design process:

We always make a significant effort in understanding the costumers' needs down to the smallest detail – We do this because we believe a big part of the answer lies in the question itself.

At Format Design, we like being a part of the process from the early beginning to the day the product or process loses its relevance on the market. This helps us to learn, understand, and take responsibility.

We never stop asking questions in the making – in the eagerness of getting the best result - and we always use all our knowledge and experiences from art, craft, materials and construction as a respectful subsidy to the production.

We love being a part of our client's success - and will always walk the extra mile to make it happen.

During the process, we keep an open, collaborative, and structured work process.

-That is what makes Format Design a reliable design partner.

For further information please contact : thomas@formatdesign.dk

Thomas E. Alken MDd

– Designer and head of Format design

Thomas E. Alken MDd was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1970.

He graduated from the Danish Design School (KADK) in 1997, with additional studies from the

University of Art and Design in Helsinki (UIAH)

In 1997 he founded the design studio Format design in the heart of Copenhagen, with the aim of providing dedicated furniture- and product design as well as design advisory for Danish and international clients.

Thomas E. Alken quickly became a significant player in the design scene. Since he always insisted on taking part in every step of the design process, he gathered a lot of design and production experience from all over the world.

“The broadness of my profession will always be something I highly appreciate – one day I find myself in a fancy showroom in the north of Italy – the next on a factory floor in the south of Vietnam – and there is always useful knowledge to transfer from one day to the next”

Over the past 20 years, Thomas E. Alken has established a good position in the Scandinavian design scene with many successful designs and tasks behind him. He continues to investigate the interaction between user and object, which has given him a deep understanding of functionality and a material-driven focus concerning beauty, strength, tactility, production, and environmental impact.

Today the studio works with passionate high-end and midrange brands in many parts of the world.

Thomas E. Alken has also worked with different design groups and professional organizations over the years.

To mention a few:

Since 2017 Thomas E. Alken has been associated as an expert judge at The Maritime and Commercial High Court

Since 2018 Member of the board at Danish Design Makers DDM

Since 2017 Head of the Profesional Advisory Committee of Design Denmark MDd

Since 2016 Member of the Danish Design Makers DDM

Since 2007 Associate lector at the Royal Danish Academy of Architecture, Design and Conservation KADK

Since 2007 Member of the Professional Advisory Committee of Danish Designers mDD today MDd

From 2005 to 2012 Head of the board of The Cabinetmakers Autumn Exhibition “SE”

From 2001 to 2014 Member of the board of The Cabinetmakers Autumn Exhibition “SE”