Nominator: Jasna Mujkić

Nominator's statement

Sara Osmanović, an academic product designer, is a designer-researcher. First of all, she observes and then, with meticulous devotion, explores all aspects of the problem. Back in the days in Sarajevo, in the early 1990s, there was a newsstand company with the slogan “Life is made of small things.” This slogan, in a way that resonates in my memory, truly encapsulates the field of design interest in the works of Sara Osmanović.

Small things - minor, everyday problems that are ephemeral and seemingly insignificant, or at least not important enough for designers to seriously engage with - are what draw Sara Osmanović’s attention. She recognizes these issues and understands that, when multiplied over time, they also multiply their negative effects: stress and discomfort.

This is a designer who demonstrates that design, when applied to neglected or overlooked objects, can improve quality of life. Through a carefully conducted design process, it is possible to arrive at solutions that are both meaningful and relevant.

In Sara Osmanović’s work, there is no bravado. Her research is committed, long-term, and anthropological in nature, addressing the many facets and nuances of a problem. The resulting design response is not merely a functional solution, but a form as a synthesis - an answer to a complex set of interrelated questions.

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GRID - UMBRELLA STANDGRID is a compact umbrella stand shaped by close attention to everyday situations in shared and private interiors, where small, collapsible umbrellas often remain without a clear place. Instead of prescribing a strict way of use, GRID invites an intuitive interaction: umbrellas can be placed quickly and naturally, becoming part of a simple, almost effortless routine. Its modular metal grid forms a light but structured framework that can be defined by the user even before production, allowing choices in density, spacing, and overall composition. A discreet base gently collects excess water and supports drying, helping to keep the surrounding space calm and orderly. Subtle variations in finishing further extend the possibility of personalization, allowing GRID to adapt to different interiors. In this way, the object becomes less a fixed solution and more a quiet system shaped through use, reflecting how attentive design can support everyday life without demanding attention.

WAWE - SOAP HOLDER

WAWE is a minimalist soap holder designed from quiet observation of everyday bathroom routines. It addresses a simple, common problem: soap left on flat surfaces often collects water, becomes slippery, or loses shape, affecting hygiene. The holder offers a gentle, unobtrusive solution, organizing the soap while fitting naturally into its surroundings.
Crafted from a single flat sheet, the material is carefully cut and softly folded into wave-like forms. These subtle folds guide water away, letting the soap dry naturally, while creating a sense of rhythm and movement inspired by flowing waves. The continuous, minimal surface ensures durability, ease of cleaning, and a restrained presence in the space.
WAWE turns an everyday object into a thoughtful companion for daily routines, supporting hygiene and care, while giving the bathroom a quiet, soft, and intentional presence.

TIA - JEWELRY SET
TIA is an experimental jewelry set investigating how delicate forms can move, respond, and exist in space. Thin copper wire is threaded, bent, and layered through a hands-on process that allows the pieces to develop organically, with each curve and twist emerging in response to touch and gravity. The design combines open and denser areas, creating light forms that follow the body’s contours in a subtle and unobtrusive way. The traces of the making remain visible, capturing gestures and decisions, so that each piece carries a record of its creation. Fragile yet durable, the set explores the relationship between delicacy and stability, offering an intimate and personal experience of adornment. TIA reflects a careful, intuitive approach to making, where observation and material engagement turn simple wire into meaningful and refined objects.