Working with Material Bank
For the uninitiated, Material Bank is a new age service that is sweeping the material sampling world. Offering speedy, sustainable, and cost free sampling to design pros both big and small. We had a moment to catch up with Michael Bustin here at Durasein, who has been championing the service from launch. Here’s what he had to say.
When did you first catch wind of this new service?
MICHAEL BUSTIN
It was about a year and half or more ago when I started seeing the bright yellow and black full page spreads in Interior Design magazine that simply read “Material Bank….Coming Soon.” Knowing the innovation behind Sandow Media, their communication prowess and an enamored by their intriguing name, Material Bank, I knew the A+D industry was about to be altered by something truly revolutionary.
Simple sampling seems like a no-brainer…why did it take so long for us to get here?
MICHAEL BUSTIN
I believe it was a lack of vision and realization of an industry problem. It took someone like Adam Sandow, owner of Sandow Media, whose is closely tied to the A&D community to look at the industry from a different perspective (from the outside-in instead of the inside-out) to realize there was problem that needed to be solved. Additionally in an era where digital communication & publishing is killing traditional print media I suspect Adam was also looking for an entrepreneurial way to leverage and monetize his existing A+D subscriber database in an effort to avoid losing his core customer group.
What does Material Bank’s success say about the materials industry?
MICHAEL BUSTIN
I believe it reinforces the continued importance and need for physical samples when specifying materials for interior design and architectural projects. I believe it also emphasizes the need for change in the material sampling world. The need for a smarter, faster, more sustainable way of getting samples into the hands of creatives. From a material manufacturer’s perspective we’re seeing signs that designers want more innovative, trend-setting and unique materials (color ways, textures, enhanced physical properties, etc.) And they want them lickety-split. The material manufacturers that can satisfy this craving will ultimately win.
Why do you think Material Bank is right for Durasein?
MICHAEL BUSTIN
Simply put….Material Bank is 100% aligned with our values. For us it was not a question of “should we work as a Brand Partner with Material Bank” but it was a definitive “we have to work with them because they are providing creatives with exactly what they need.” At our core we believe in making creatives’ lives easier. We’re driven by creativity and we work relentlessly to make the lives of designers easier and more productive. In the end we just want to help creativity flow so designers can do the best work of their lives. Partnering with Material Bank helps us fulfill that promise.
What do you think is next for material sampling?
MICHAEL BUSTIN
My guess would be that it becomes even more seamless and sustainable. Likely diving deeper into the digital space, with someone who understands how to mix the physical and digital landscapes leading the way. We’re excited to see it.
You spent some time at their new Material Lab in Chicago, what did you think?
MICHAEL BUSTIN
Material Bank’s Material Lab was hands down the shining star of NeoCon 2019! It was one of the coolest and most innovative new services to hit the show in years….one that I’m certain will change the industry of sampling forever. From their materials wall, to their interactive sampling experience to the way they categorized various material colors it was obvious that Material Bank did their homework, uncovered a need and built a system to help designers do their best work.
