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What if we told you that the set designers for Star Trek didn’t make every single thing that ever appeared on the show? Instead, the staff worked very carefully on sourcing and selecting everyday objects that would fit the overall theme of the show. Everything from cutlery to glasses and even chairs in the show were everyday items accessible to most of us (at some point). For example, Captain Janeway's office chair is a Signét 8400 chair from HÅG, which is a Norwegian design company, not to mention there were also items that were bought at IKEA.

With that being said, we’d like you to meet Eno, the owner of an Instagram page called ‘startrekdesign.’ Eno has carefully researched many of the objects, such as furniture and silverware, that appear in the Star Trek franchise, and decided to create an Instagram account to share his findings with other fans of the show!

More info: Instagram | star-trek.design

#1

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

Spherical Tube Lamps by Roger Rougier.

The Rougier Tube Lamp was the second ever piece I featured on Ex Astris Supellex. I initially claimed that it appeared in The Search for Spock and TNG, but have since discovered that the spherical version was also used in DS9, as set dressing on the Founder home world. They were designed and produced in the 1970’s.

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Bored Panda reached out to Eno.

“Well, when I started this project it was the beginning of quarantine. I had just gotten laid off from both my jobs because of the pandemic, so I was, like everyone else, stuck inside watching TV for hours a day. In my case, I was rewatching Star Trek pretty much all day every day."

#2

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

Bistro Cup designed by Carsten Jorgensen for Bodum.

Carsten Jorgensen is a Danish industrial designer, best known for his work for Bodum. His Bistro teacup is so ubiquitous to The Next Generation, it is sometimes referred to as “The Picard Cup,” from which Captain Picard drinks his “Tea, Earl Grey, Hot.” It’s was also used in Voyager and the new Picard series. Originally designed in 1974, it is now out of production but is still relatively easy to find online.

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Robert T
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have some in a slightly different design, also from Bodum.

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#3

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

Ribbon Chair designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort.

Another Paulin piece, this time appearing in The Original Series, in “The Cloud Minders.” Paulin’s chairs were used widely in TNG, but, to my knowledge, only appear this once in TOS. The Ribbon Chair, designed in 1966, was also used in Blade Runner 2049 (5th slide). It’s interesting to note, in both The Cloud Minders and Blade Runner 2049, these chairs appear to indicate wealth, status, and taste by the higher classes of caste-stratified societies. In contrast, the use of Paulin’s furnishings in TNG do the opposite: they offer a scene of the comfort and aesthetics attainable and accessible to all Federation citizens in a society based on cooperation and equality.

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"I'd already known about a few designers whose work was used: Carsten Jorgensen (the 'Picard Cup'), Maurice Burke (the Tulip Chair from TOS), and Joe Colombo (the Boby Cart used in almost every sick bay). I was always really delighted to see furniture and objects I recognized on screen and I was curious about what else had been used. I started an Instagram as a kind of personal project to document what I learned. It turned out other people liked it, and it's grown pretty exponentially."

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#4

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

Tatlin Sofa designed by Marion Cananzi & Roberto Semprini for Edra.

The Tatlin Sofa was designed in the late 1980’s for Italian design firm, Edra. It’s name and distinctive spiral shape are referential to Tatlin’s Tower (sixth slide), the unbuilt monument to the 3rd International designed by the Russian artist, Vladimir Tatlin, following the Bolshevik Revolution. It seems ironic to be used to furnish the collection room of a private collector/hoarder of stolen artwork (and kidnapper of Data) in the TNG episode “The Most Toys.”

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#5

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

Sylvie Chair by R & Y Augousti.

R & Y Augousti is a French furniture company, known for maximalism and use of organic shapes. The Sylvie chair, designed sometime in the 1990’s, was used in the TNG episode, “Eye of the Beholder.”

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"Pretty soon after beginning, I found the websites Quark’s Qantina and Ex Astris Scientia, which each maintain pages sourcing the tableware and chairs, respectively, used across Star Trek series. I shouldn't have been surprised I was not alone in this hobby. Some of the posts on my Instagram and website are originally from them (always credited). Now that I've learned a lot more about design history and styles, I've been increasingly able to source objects on my own. I actually collaborate with both Quark's Qantina and EAS now, which is kind of a dream since I admire them so much.”

#6

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

Cocktail Shaker designed by Sylvia Stave.

Sylvia Stave was a Swedish designer, best known for her work in pewter, brass, and silver. This cocktail shaker was originally designed in 1937, and then reproduced in 1989 for Italian housewares company, Alessi. It was used in Star Trek TNG.

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Marlowe Fitzpatrik
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, so Data was getting a cocktail to go? And we were made to believe it was coffee or tea... tze !

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#7

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

Hill House Chair designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh was a Scottish architect and designer, whose Argyle Chair I’ve previously featured. His Hill House Chair was designed in 1902 as a furnishing accessory for the Hill House in Helensburgh, Scotland. Like the Argyle Chair, the Hill House Chair was used in the Enterprise episode, “Exile.” It was also used, more prominently and more often, in Babylon 5, as the seating for the council chamber.

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Of course, there were more things we wanted to ask Eno! So first, we wanted to know about the most challenging parts when it came to finding interior pieces featured in Star Trek.

"That’d probably be finding some of the objects that were used in The Original Series. In general, it’s easier to find better-known designer pieces, which Star Trek certainly did use fairly often, but the production designers also used furniture from department stores and props warehouses. So it’s difficult to find these pieces from the 1960s, from furniture companies that no longer exist and weren’t well-known enough to have anything written about them. On top of that, a lot of the furniture, tableware, etc. was altered by set designers to make them look more futuristic or cohesive with the aesthetics of the show. TOS pieces probably account for the majority of my 'Unidentified' folder."

#8

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

Serpentine Sofa designed by Milo Baughman.

Baughman was a mid century furniture designer, whose serpentine sofa was produced in the 1970’s. If this is his design (which, based on all of the serpentine sofa’s I’ve found, and that TNG has used Baughman’s designs in the past, I believe it is), it was used in TNG to furnish Deanna Troi’s office.

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#9

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

Pyramid Wine Glasses by Cristal d'Arques.

Cristal d'Arques is a French crystalware manufacturer, founded in 1968. The Pyramid set is no longer in production, but can still be found on Etsy and EBay. They were used in Star Trek Voyager, in the episode “Body and Soul.”

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We figured that finding all of the sources wasn't an easy job, so we wanted to know how long it usually takes to search for them.

"That’s dependent upon the object. Some have already been identified by other Trekkies or collectors (who I always credit in my posts), and some I just recognize from life or can find fairly easily because I’ve become more familiar with different styles and periods. Then there are some objects, like the Paul Boulva chairs used most famously in Ten Forward, that took over a year to find. For those, I spent so much time emailing furniture designers selling similar (or the same) chairs, but almost no one seemed to know who made them. One seller offered that they knew they were made in Canada, so I started reading everything I could about Canadian postmodern furniture designers and manufacturers. Eventually, I found Paul Boulva’s website, which is literally just a YouTube video. It became pretty clear why people had so much trouble finding these despite how incredibly iconic they are since there are no searchable terms on his website."

#10

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

Teacup designed by George Sowden for Bodum.

George Sowden is an English industrial designer and one of the founders of the Memphis Group. These teacups were designed in 1987 for Bodum, and were used in the TNG episode, “Pen Pals.”

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DJMELON
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1 year ago

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#11

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

Ekstrem Chair designed by Terje Ekstrøm for Stokke.

Terje Ekstrøm was a Norwegian industrial designer and pioneer of Norwegian postmodernism. His Ekstrem chair was designed in 1972 and manufactured in the 1980’s by Stokke. It was used in Star Trek Voyager on the Ocampa home world.

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Demotivation is something most of us have dealt with, but when it comes to searching for hidden gems, that is certainly not the case for Eno.

"No, quite the opposite! I get frustrated sometimes when I’ve been searching for something for a long time and can’t find it, but that just makes me more motivated. The biggest example is this 1980s tubular steel dining set that was used in several crew quarters in TNG, and it’s honestly become my white whale. I’ve emailed some dealers who I’ve seen selling it and periodically I make Instagram stories asking if anyone knows anything, and I’ve gotten some good leads but no attributions. What I know so far is that it's Canadian and it’s definitely not Amisco."

We also wanted to find out how people reacted to the work Eno does for the fandom.

"Always positively! I’m honestly startled by how many people appreciate Star Trek + Design, since it’s so niche. The closest I’ve gotten to a 'negative' reaction is someone correcting me when I made a misattribution, which I actually really appreciate because I’d like everything I post to be accurate."

#12

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

Exl Flatware designed by Robert Wilhite for Bissell & Wilhite.

Robert Wilhite is an American artist and industrial designer whose work explores geometric abstraction. This is apparent in his flatware designs. The Exl pattern features sharp, asymmetric shapes and angles that appear simultaneously severe and playful. This flatware set was used in seasons 6 and 7 of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

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#13

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

Suspens and Suspension Chairs designed by Paul Boulva for Artopex.

Paul Boulva is a Canadian furniture designer, best known to design aficionados as the designer of the Artopex Lotus chairs. Very few, however, know about his far-more famous chair designs (though I imagine this will become public knowledge very soon): the Suspens and Suspension chairs, designed in the 1980s. The Suspens chairs were used as seating for Ten Forward in TNG, while the Suspension chairs were used in both Ten Forward and in Voyager’s Mess Hall.  These are sometimes misattributed to Jan Ekselius, who designed very similar chairs.

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ThatOneWriter
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm looking at the tall one on the right and all I can image is Riker trying to pull a Riker Straddle on it 😂

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Finding all of these pieces must be a fun hobby on its own, but we wanted to know what was the most enjoyable part of the process.

"Learning about design history, for sure. When I started the project, I didn’t actually know much about it. I still don’t have the knowledge of someone with, say, classical education in design, but I love learning. I have some great followers who have taught me so much about Italian Modernism and Space Age and others. I was, and am, a Trekkie, but learning about industrial design history has been enriching for my own life and increased my appreciation for Star Trek, which I didn’t think was possible.

Another thing that’s really exciting for me is that I’ve started collaborating with Ex Astris Scientia on identifying the commercially available chairs and lighting used in Trek, and with Quark’s Qantina on glassware and tableware, which is really rewarding because I admire them and their work so much."

#14

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

E1027 Table designed by Eileen Gray.

Eileen Gray was an Irish architect, furniture designer, and pioneer of early modernism. Her E1027 Table, designed in 1927, is adjustable and was designed for use “over the knees” or as an occasional/side table. It was used in The Search for Spock, in the Starfleet Officer’s Lounge.

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#15

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

Turner Chair designed by Jack Crebolder for Harvink.

Jack Crebolder was a Dutch industrial designer, whose Turner Chair was designed in 1982. It was meant to be limited addition, and only 1000 original chairs were ever manufactured. The Turner Chair was used in a single episode of The Next Generation, “Haven.”

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As for the last question, we wanted to ask Eno what inspired him to start his Instagram page.

"I was already aware of (and owned) some of the objects used in Trek and thought it’d be a fun quarantine project to learn more about the other pieces that were used. I started an Instagram because I like the interactive nature of the platform and thought I could collaborate with people who might know more about design than me, and that’s exactly what happened. At this point, it’s become a rabbit hole. I have a folder on my computer with over 3,000 Star Trek screencaps of both identified and unidentified objects. It’s funny, when I started Star Trek + Design, I was worried I’d eventually hit a wall and run out of objects to make posts about, but I don’t think that’s going to be a problem any longer."

#16

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

Boby Cart designed by Joe Colombo.

Joe Colombo was an influential midcentury Italian industrial designer whose Boby Cart is essential to Star Trek medical design. They were used in The Final Frontier as a bridge prop, TNG Enterprise and alien Sick Bays, and DS9 Sick Bay. If anyone has a screenshot of it used on Voyager or Enterprise, please let me know. I haven’t noticed one, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was used.

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Alex K
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i actually had this, for my architectural design materials

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#17

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

Chicago Amethyst Water Goblet by Sasaki.

Sasaki was a Japanese glassware manufacturer. Their Chicago water goblets were used in the DS9 episode, “Looking for par’Mach in All the Wrong Places,” as glassware for Keiko and O’Brien’s quarters. The Chicago line is no longer in production.

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#18

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

No Spill Mugs by Feltman-Langer.

Feltman-Langer, now known as AmericaWare, is an American souvenir supply company. While the company’s specialty is adventure and vacation themed cups and accessories, they are best known for their contribution to Deep Space Nine. These mugs were painted light blue, likely by set designers, to serve as the Replimat’s Raktajino mugs. Designed in the 1980’s, they are no longer in production. They’re very easy to find online, but not in the classic Replimat Blue.

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Alexander B
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had one of these (blue), but didn't know they were called "No Spill" - this is ludicrous, because if you want to drink the last sip from such a mug your almost guaranteed to spill it all over you as you have to put your head far back and turn the mug almost upside down.

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#19

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

Tea Set designed by Yoshiharu Fuwa for Cook Vessel.

Yoshiharu Fuwa was a Japanese industrial designer. This aluminum tea set for Cook Vessel is one of his most recognizable works, and continues to be sought after by admirers of postmodern and Memphis-style design. It was used in The Next Generation episode, “The Drumhead,” as the tea service in Admiral Norah Satie’s quarters.

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#20

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

Gakko Slide Chair designed by Tayfur Ozkaynak for Soho Concept.

Tayfur Ozkaynak is a contemporary industrial designer, who’s designed several chairs for Soho Concept. The Gakko Slide chair was used as seating for Discovery’s mess hall.

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#21

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

KN1001 Side Table by Keiser-Newman.

Keiser-Newman was a American furniture manufacturer, founded in 1982, by Bruce Keiser and Don Newman. This side table, constructed from glass, aluminum, and Carrera marble, is evocative of a flying saucer. It remains Keiser-Newman’s most recognizable work. In what might be a Mandela effect of design history, this side table is more often found online as “Kaiser Newman,” and is often dated as having been produced in the 1990′s, despite first appearing in Star Trek in 1989. It was used in The Next Generation as set dressing for Riker’s quarters.

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#22

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

Kinetic Ribbon Sculpture by C. Jeré.

C. Jeré is an American metalworking company and producer of decorative sculptures and wall hangings. The Star Trek set designers must have really loved this company, as this is the third C. Jeré piece I’ve posted so far. It was used in TNG as set dressing for Data’s Quarters.

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Mike Loux
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So, that was totally a toy for Data's cat Spot, right? Because if I were a cat, I would swat the CRAP out of that thing.

#23

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

Vacuum Pitcher by Thermos.

This is a very minor piece that, to my knowledge, only appeared in one episode of Star Trek (well, two if we’re counting The Cage and The Menagerie separately), but it’s meaningful for me because it’s the first ever item I added to my “Unidentified” folder and I’m happy to finally remove it.

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#24

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

Rocking Chaise designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin.

Milo Baughman was a prolific American furniture designer, best know for his work for Thayer Coggin. His iconic rocking chaises were designed and produced in the 1970’s and are fairly easy to find online. Unfortunately, the rounded versions, which were used in Star Trek, are much rarer than the squared ones. They were used to furnish the Enterprise-D’s crew quarters in The Next Generation.

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#25

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

Oktett Champagne Flutes by Bodum.

Bodum products were used often by Star Trek TNG set designers, the most famous example being Carsten Jorgensen’s Bistro “Picard Cup.” The Oktett champagne flutes were used most prominently in the episode “Haven,” but also appear in background of several shots throughout the series. I believe the flatware pictured is also Bodum.

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#26

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

HotJo Travel Mug by Highwave.

The HotJo mugs were used in several episodes of DS9, as Quark’s Bar’s Raktajino cups. While these mugs are still being produced by Highwave, the purple version was commissioned specifically for Star Trek, and is not commercially available.

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#27

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

Von Vogelsang Chairs designed by Philippe Starck for Driade.

Philippe Starck is a French architect and industrial designer, who also designed the Romantica Chairs used in TNG and Enterprise. The Von Vogelsang chairs were designed in 1985 and used in The Next Generation episode, “Sarek.”

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Francesa Miller
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They look very uncomfortable. I'd expect no leg circulation after only a few minutes.

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#28

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

Landscape Dining Set designed by Ross Lovegrove for Frighetto.

Ross Lovegrove is a Welsh industrial designer known for his use of sinuous, organic shapes. The Landscape dining table and chairs were originally designed in 1998 for Frighetto, though the tables are no longer in production. The chairs are now manufactured by Italian furniture company, Estel. Both were used in ENT, as furnishing for the Enterprise NX-01’s mess hall.

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William Beckner
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks very uncomfortable. But maybe we need a separate article interviewing the actors on their opinions about these props?

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#29

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

Jamaica Stool designed by Pepe Cortes for Knoll.

Pepe Cortes is a Spanish industrial and interior designer, and founder of the Grupo Abierto de Diseño, a Barcelona-based design group. His Jamaica Stool, designed in 1991, remains his most recognizable work. It was used in Star Trek: First Contact, as furnishing for the Zephram Cochrane’s favorite bar, and in Voyager, in Harry Kim’s San Francisco apartment and Dr. Louis Zimmerman’s lab.

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#30

This Instagram Shows The Product Designs Behind Star Trek

Jamestown Tumbler by Fostoria.

Fostoria was an American glassware company, which reached its peak of popularity in the 1950’s. The Jamestown pattern was produced in a variety of colors. The smoky brown tumblers were used in The Original Series episode, “The Conscience of the King.”

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Note: this post originally had 70 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.