three collections, one philosophy - more about modular design

what does it mean to build a collection? to assemble not just products, but ideas — shared textures, values, and visual systems?

this month, zitozza launches three new collections at clerkenwell design week: AGGREGATE, TOYTOWN, and RAJZ. at first glance, they couldn’t be more different. one is sun-bleached and structural, the next graphic and playful, the third modular and abstract. but beneath the surface, they speak the same design language — one rooted in architectural rhythm, material honesty, and the tactile potential of the printed block.

let’s start with AGGREGATE. this is a lookbook, a surface collection. it doesn’t rely on a single repeating motif but offers a suite of block-printed designs in bright, contemporary colours — from punchy blue to sof pastels and warm oranges. the name comes from the material that forms concrete and holds it together “aggregate” as a general term also means something composed of many different parts which is exactly what this lookbook is - a consistent, contemporary interiors look with many geometric components, all built up block by block.

individual units that do not ever come out the same, building something whole. the results are minimal but expressive, grounded in texture and tonal contrast. designed to be versatile, AGGREGATE is for modern interiors that favour order without coldness.

TOYTOWN, by contrast, is a little cheekier. it’s our summer collection, responding to the stripes and checks trend with bold colours. these prints feel stacked, balanced, almost like diagrams of imaginary cities. inspired by the geometry of play — toy blocks, funfair architecture, early modernist colourways — this collection embraces high contrast and graphic shape. it’s not childish, but it’s full of character. think grids gone rogue.

what really is special about these is that the entire collection has been designed with two blocks only. one element from our recently released TÉGLA set and a pair of the ever-so-architectural PANEL. it just shows how combineable these elements are and the endless creativity that can serve interiors. lines that loop, punch, repeat. it’s for spaces that don’t take themselves too seriously, and for people who still see joy in the abstract.

and then there’s RAJZ — our newest block tile set. named after the hungarian word for “drawing”, this series reimagines the blueprint as ornament. with references to architectural plans, elevations, and notational marks, RAJZ is modular at its core. each tile is a language of arrows, pathways, and boundaries.

like everything in our systems, they can be combineable with each other and with all the other MODERN blocks (we have over 130+ of these now.) you can use them seamlessly in endless configurations and colourways, creating layered narratives across textiles. it’s a set made for customisation — for architects, designers, and pattern obsessives who want to build with their hands.

together, these three collections reflect what zitozza has always done: design at the intersection of architecture and craft. they are built, not drawn. printed, not produced. and they all begin with one simple gesture — the press of a precision-cut block, inked with intention, aligned with care.

if you want to come and see them in person, please say hello at clerkenwell design week, at the platform venue (70 cowcross street, ec1m 6ej) throughout 20-22 may - register for your free tickets here.

we are ready to show it all and we do hope you love them. for custom samples, please get in touch. if you’re interested in our bespoke design services, you can find more information here.

stitched patterns

ok so this is going to be another more visual blog post and i might have to share a little bit more of the history behind these prints. (if you’re interested in the full origin story, you can visit my other website where i have already written a blog post about it here, however i’m quite willing to write more if you want to read!)

anyway, one of the base of zitozza was a uni project called “anthropocene” where one of the three collection called “GRIDS” consisted of block printed jute (now the SOROMPÓ, TRANZIT, FÁZIS and a small part of the SKÁLA tilesets). however each of these also had an extra “haptic” layer over the print and on the “GRIDS” collection these were stitches.

the main inspiration behind these initial patterns were of course actual grids, transport networks, cranes, gas tanks, industrial architecture, signals and signs, that kind of stuff. so naturally, more lines, straight and zigzag stitches were applied for that kind of “wiring” effect.

i’m going to put some products with these surface effects up for sale in the coming weeks to test and see how you’d like them. below then is the picture gallery of these older ideas. these are all from that old project (hence the aligning colours) with the more grid-like tiles, and linear or zigzaggy stitches that complement the surface. the colour inspiration came from industrial signage too at the time but i just love the nautical effect of these.

as for the future, i’m especially interested in this effect on the lampshades for the potential contrast against the illumination. what do you think? would this work on a rug? or a cushion?

and about the other, more brutalist, blocky patterns… combining embroidery with these is also possible, even with different colours and bolder areas, however these will be an entirely new category of haptic, tactile rugs and lampshades and cushion. see also the BRUTEJUTE project and watch this space….! :)