Salad, what the hell kind of name is that?
Welcome to the first ever Salad Design blog post! My name is Andy, one of the founding creators, and I’m thrilled to be able to introduce you to to Salad, and the people behind the brand and the philosophy that drives us.
At the core, Salad is just a group of friends made up of creators, designers, inventors, and get-shit-done’rs, that enjoy the process of collective creation. That’s really it in a nutshell. The projects, designs, and products are just physical manifestations of our friendship. We’re like a band, but instead of instruments we have CAD, screw drivers, CNC machines, and design software. Most of us have been collectively creating physical products together in niche community spaces for the better part of a decade.
As for myself, I guess I’m a bit like the glue. I’m the common link that brought everyone here together. In many ways I’m the least specialized person at Salad, but I also have my hands in just about everything here.
Anemoia (noun): Nostalgia for a time you've never known.
I'm an 80’s kid, so I missed the mid-century modern era firsthand, but it's a huge inspiration for me and the rest of us at Salad. Sometimes, I wish I could have experienced it. It was a time of rapid technological advancement, but design truly mattered. Houses, offices, cars, appliances, branding – everything was being reimagined with incredible attention to detail. Sure, there were some "duck and cover" drills I'm glad I skipped, but I love romanticizing the era in my head.
My appreciation for mid-century design goes beyond aesthetics. Mid-century modern design was about using design to change how people lived. That's the pinnacle of design for me. While not everything we create will revolutionize lives, it's all designed with intention. Details matter. We want our products to function flawlessly, inspire you, and perhaps most importantly evoke an emotional response. If we can brighten your day, we've succeeded. And if we ever get the chance to design something that truly brings people together and changes lives? That would be the ultimate reward.
Beyond the mid-century aesthetic, we're committed to building products that last. They're designed to be passed down. That means upgradeability, repairability, readily available parts, and long-term support.
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about our name: Salad. Well, it's just a name. A unique one, in a space filled with "Brand Name Audio" and "Brand Name Hifi." I wanted something more memorable, more funky-fresh, and something that just stands out. We take our work very seriously, but we also have serious fun at work and want that to be reflected in as many ways as possible. We're a design-first company, and Salad Design reflects that. Love it or hate it, I can only hope you don’t forget it.
– Andy
