Swedish furniture company IKEA has launched an investigation into the design of a drinks table following industrial designer Jessica Signell’s allegation that it copied her design.
Signell made the accusation in an article written for Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter (DN), which led to the IKEA stating it “would never deliberately copy products” and launching an investigation.
“IKEA has launched a furniture piece that’s strikingly similar to my 20-year-old drinks table ‘Eve’,” said Signell in the article for DN.
“And it’s not the first time. The company ‘celebrates Scandinavian design’ while at the same time conveying the message: It’s okay to steal.”
Jessica Signell’s table Eve, left, next to IKEA’s Stockholm table, right
Signell‘s table, which she designed in 2005 and was shown during Milan design week the same year, is called Eve and features two black circular trays connected by single leg.
It was picked up by Norwegian furniture company LK Hjelle and relaunched at Stockholm Furniture Fair in 2006, when Signell was also awarded Elle Decoration’s design prize for the table.
Signell argued that her table has clear characteristics not seen in other designs.
“My trolley Eve has a strong unique typology,” Signell told Dezeen. “Until now, there was no other trolley with two round trays with this difference in proportions between them, such high edges, and a single centered table leg.”
IKEA’s Stockholm table, which Signell said had “tangible similarities” to hers, also features two trays on a single table leg, but has been produced in an oak veneer.
It’s part of the company’s Stockholm 2025 collection, which IKEA says “blends durability and craftsmanship to create beautiful and timeless furniture”.
Following the accusation IKEA expressed that it “would never deliberately copy products”, in a statement given to Dezeen.
“The IKEA view is that it is never acceptable to copy another designer’s work,” Arvid Stigland told Dezeen on behalf of Inter Ikea Global Media Relations Team.
“Design is of greatest importance for IKEA and is an integral part of the IKEA vision and business idea,” he continued.
“IKEA would never deliberately copy products from other companies or designers.”
However, following the publication of Signell’s accusation, the furniture company has launched an investigation. According to IKEA this is a standard process when accusations arise.
“We proactively work to prevent any resemblance, and our standard procedure is to launch a thorough investigation whenever questions arise,” said Stigland.
“In this case, we have opened that investigation.”
Signell, who first saw the design a month ago on IKEA’s website, alleges that the furniture company was aware of her existing design.
“I’ve known IKEA’s design manager throughout my career – former design manager, that is, it was announced yesterday that she’s leaving her position,” Signell said.
“She has liked plenty of photos of my piece on social media. I also received an award from Elle Decoration for it, at a ceremony sponsored by IKEA,” she added.
IKEA launched the Stockholm collection at Milan design week this year and has also recently opened a new London store on Oxford Street.
The photography is courtesy of Jessica Signell unless otherwise stated.
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