Tallinn Design Festival 2026 panel: “What Makes a Product Valuable?”

Tallinn Design House and Tallinn Business Incubator invite you to explore what creates the true value of a product and how our understanding of valuable products is changing at a time when we need to think more consciously about materials, production and consumption.

The main theme of Disainiöö 2026, “The Future of Product Design,” focuses on how sustainability, adaptability, inclusivity and material awareness are shaping the next generation of products and services. At Tallinn Design House, we will explore these questions through the perspectives of jewellery, leather and fashion design.

Is value created by high-quality and durable materials, thoughtful functionality, a strong design language, or perhaps an emotional connection with the product?

When does a product become something that a person does not simply want to use, but wants to keep, repair, wear and choose again years later? And how can we design products whose value lies not only in their novelty, but also in their durability, meaning and long-term relationship with the user?

During the discussion, we will explore these questions together with three distinctive Estonian designers.

Sofia Hallik / SOMA – a jewellery artist whose work brings together form, material and conceptual thinking. Jewellery, as a small and personal object, raises questions about how a product’s value can emerge from its meaning, its wearer and the emotional connection it creates.

Stella Soomlais – a leather designer and artist whose work combines material awareness, functionality and circular design principles. Stella’s approach considers the entire lifecycle of a product – how it is used, maintained, repaired and valued for as long as possible.

Cärol Ott / carolxott – a fashion artist known for expressive forms, bold colours and a material-focused approach. Her garments are more than objects simply designed to be worn – they are products with a strong identity and character, bringing together material, form, craftsmanship and personal narrative.

Through the perspectives of these three designers, we will explore where the value of a product truly comes from and how quality, durability, material awareness, functionality and emotional value might shape the future of product design.

You are warmly invited to listen, join the conversation and ask questions!

The event is FREE, but prior registration is required:
https://forms.gle/D3HJBF6P5tnUU3Xs8

Tallinn Design House, Rotermanni 14, Tallinn
Discussion starts at 6 PM
Doors open at 5:30 PM