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INDUSTRIAL DESIGN · ENGINEERING · PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

From first idea to finished product.

NNC-LAB is an independent product-development studio based in Shanghai—combining clear Scandinavian design thinking, more than two decades of hands-on experience in China, and collaboration with project teams worldwide.

Explore capabilitiesinfo@nnc-lab.com
NNC-LAB / KARMA ESSENCE2022
HIGHEST RECOGNITIONWinner — iF Design Award 2022Karma Essence
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY30+ patentsInvention, utility-model and design patents
STUDIOShanghai-based, globally connectedWorking in China with project teams worldwide

WHAT WE DO

One partner across the hard middle.

From the point where a concept needs to become technically credible—to the point where production needs to become commercially reliable.

01

Industrial design

Product definition, form, user experience and design language.

02

Mechanical engineering

Mechanisms, structures, materials, tolerances and production intent.

03

Prototyping

Fast physical learning through mockups, 3D prints and working rigs.

04

Manufacturing development

Supplier alignment, DFM, costing and resolution of production obstacles.

05

Testing + validation

Performance checks, failure analysis and iterative refinement.

06

Commercialization

The final push from approved design to a product ready to ship.

SELECTED WORK

Proof, not promises.

A selection of products shaped through industrial design, engineering, prototyping and close production development.

01 / KARMA ESSENCEHEIGHT-ADJUSTABLE WORKSTATION
AWARD-WINNING OFFICE TABLE

Karma Essence

Co-design: Joe Leong + Jacob Goettler
Developed at KeyCreate, co-owned by Jacob Goettler

iF Design Award, 2022

A height-adjustable table combining Scandinavian simplicity with thoughtful details for everyday work.

02 / PRODUCT ECOSYSTEMREAL PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY
FEATURES + ACCESSORIES

Designed as a complete workplace

A coordinated family of useful accessories developed to feel native to the table—not added afterward.

03 / CABLE MANAGEMENTRELEASE · LOWER · ACCESS
EASY CABLE ACCESS

Hidden when working. Accessible when needed.

Release the support straps and the tray drops straight down, giving clear access to cables before lifting neatly back into place.

04 / HERMAN MILLER T2BEHIND THE PRODUCT
SMART HEIGHT-ADJUSTABLE WORKSTATION

Herman Miller T2

Design: Joe Leong
Lead engineering: Jacob Goettler

More than three years of engineering development transformed an ambitious design vision into a resolved, manufacturable product—through working prototypes, mechanism development, detailed engineering and production refinement.

Australian Good Design Award, 2016DFA Design for Asia Gold Award, 2016
05 / ZENCOMPLETE WORKPLACE FAMILY
TRIANGULAR-COLUMN OFFICE SYSTEM

ZEN

Co-design: Joe Leong + Jacob Goettler
Lead engineering: Jacob Goettler
Developed at SPFE

Built around a distinctive triangular column—unusual at the time—ZEN grew into a coherent family for individual desks, lean-height collaboration and meeting spaces. One structural language carried across a complete workplace solution.

06 / F4ST
PATENTED FAST-ASSEMBLY SYSTEM

F4ST

Design + engineering: Jacob Goettler · Developed for ZGO · Invention patent

Four steps. One secure connection.

F4ST turns frame installation into four clear actions: align, slide, lower and lock. Developed for ZGO, the patented mechanism makes assembly faster, easier to understand and more repeatable while creating a secure final connection.

07 / SMARTRIM
PATENTED COLUMN-MOUNTING SYSTEM

SmartRim

Design + engineering: Jacob Goettler · Developed at SPFE · Invention patent

One system. Different column geometries.

SmartRim is a patented mounting system that adapts to round, square and triangular columns. Its adjustable mechanism secures directly to the column for quick installation and flexible positioning at the required height—one compact solution for different geometries and application needs.

HOW WE WORK

From obstacle to production.

  1. 01

    Define

    Clarify the real obstacle, user needs, constraints and commercial target.

  2. 02

    Design

    Shape the product language, architecture, mechanisms and key interactions together.

  3. 03

    Prove

    Prototype uncertain elements early and learn through physical testing.

  4. 04

    Industrialize

    Resolve materials, tolerances, suppliers, tooling, cost and production risk.

  5. 05

    Launch

    Close the final details and support production until the product ships reliably.

THE STUDIO

JACOB GOETTLER
SHANGHAI

Senior design thinking. Hands-on execution.

NNC-LAB is Jacob Goettler's independent design and development studio in Shanghai. Across more than 20 years in China, Jacob has developed standard product ranges and special projects with global furniture leaders including Herman Miller and Haworth, while working closely with leading Chinese manufacturers of height-adjustable tables. This experience connects international design intent with practical engineering, production and commercialization.

JACOB GOETTLER
SHANGHAI
EXPERIENCE20+ years in ChinaDesign development close to manufacturing
CLIENT EXPERIENCEGlobal furniture leadersStandard ranges and special projects
MANUFACTURING NETWORKLeading China partnersHeight-adjustable table specialists

START A CONVERSATION

Have a product that needs to get real?

info@nnc-lab.com