Each set consists of six tan modules and six chocolate modules. Inspired by hounds tooth patterns in textile design, the trivets can be arranged into stunning table runners, table protective arrangements, place mats or even mouse pads. Cover surfaces small and large with additional sets.

[Follow Function cannot help but be reminded of the outstanding children's book by Gerald Mcdermott "Arrow to the Sun"]

The Story:

At some point in college, it dawns on most product designers that they have a significant responsibility to the environment. No one wants to be the guy or girl who fills yet another landfill with yet another cheap plastic widget that will never disintegrate and thus remain buried in the earth forever.

Jaime Salm took this realization and ran with it. For his senior thesis at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia he teamed with two classmates to design a line of student furnishings that were 100% environmentally friendly, from birth to death.

Follow Function had the opportunity to visit Jaime in his Philadelphia office where he displayed a bowl from his thesis. It was simple, but unusual (how many ways can a bowl really be designed?), and quite good-looking. Made from recycled cardboard, the inside was smooth while the outside was heavily textured, as though I was holding a monochromatic jeweled rock (the capsule-like form would be echoed a few years later when Jaime designed the Capsule Light, for sale on FF).

After graduation, his two classmates left for different parts of the globe, but Jaime believed that the values behind their senior thesis were viable in the real world. He soon took a freelancing job for Anthropologie, designing signage for the retail chain using the same recycled cardboard techniques.

Meanwhile, Jaime’s brother Isaac had also been overachieving as a financial analyst for Kimberly Clark. With some convincing from Jaime, the two founded MioCulture, a company with a philosophy they call “Responsible Desire, but its really just common sense”.

[Jaime Salm with his brother Isaac, who left a promising career as a financial analyst to help form Mio]

This philosophy includes studying the full impact of their products throughout their entire life cycles, working with recyclable materials that fit into closed loop manufacturing systems, and using “green design” as a general point of inspiration. And what green design inspires over at Mio is quite impressive.

Take the Bendant Lamp for example. This light fixture was born from the desire to create a product that wasted as absolutely little material as possible. Jaime took a thin, square sheet of steel and began slicing, folding, and sculpting until he made an incredible chandelier.

But the true genius of the product was not in the final aesthetic, because that, Jaime decided, would be left up to the consumer. He wanted to ship his product flat and include only a fixture with a cord and a switch.

It is up to the users to sculpt their own beautiful artwork. Bend all the petals down and project the light to a certain spot. Buy a bulb with a metal lining on the bottom, fold the petals up, and admire the shadows dancing on your ceiling. Or come to a compromise in between, but be sure to tell your friends that you designed it.

Also among Mio’s impressive collection is the V2 3D Wallpaper. Made of the same materials as his senior thesis, these three dimensional squares interact with space around you, and those lucky enough to be invited over. Modular is the word of the day.

Recycled cardboard is not the only improbable material they choose. Check out the 100% wool Capsule Light, Shroom Light, and Grid Wall Pockets. Ever dreamt of a light fixture made of wool? Well, now your nightmare that is life without a woolly-light has finally ended.

After only a little begging, Jaime showed us mock-ups of two new products to be released this year. But, alas, we were sworn to secrecy and you will have to check back at Follow Function in June to get the lowdown. Trust us when we say, they are sweet.

[Mio's work has been written about in dozens of publications including Metropolitan Home's annual 'Design 100' which features the best of the best when it comes to modern home design]