Martin Kastner Email & Phone Number

Award-winning product designer and founder of Crucial Detail in Chicago, as well as co-founder of Nimble Manufacturing, a turn-key manufacturer near Barcelona, Spain. Recognized for projects such as the IHA Best Product Design Award for the Porthole Infuser and the Alinea book, which won Best Book Design and Best Cover Design. Also named among The Future Laboratory’s “100 Most Influential Individuals in Contemporary Design.”Known for creating serviceware that transformed the fine dining experience at Alinea, with further collaborations including The Aviary, Thomas Keller’s Restaurant Group, and Wolfgang Puck’s Spago. The Orb One Coffeemaker, one of the more recent designs, gained international praise for its unique blend of form and function. Additionally, developed custom tools and presentation pieces for Team USA’s performances in the prestigious Bocuse d’Or culinary competition.At Nimble Manufacturing, the focus is on integrating lean manufacturing principles to optimize small- and medium-scale production, with an emphasis on metals and composite materials.Originally trained as a blacksmith in the Czech Republic, with early work in historical metal restoration, the journey soon expanded into metal processing technologies, sculpture, and design. This diverse expertise has led to consulting with major companies on concept development, user experience, product design, and manufacturing strategies.Each project reflects a commitment to innovation, functionality, and a distinct aesthetic that enhances the user experience.