Ceci n'est pas un buttplug

If you're familiar with our Intimacy Furniture, you know we deliberately opt for subtle aesthetics. Not just a stylistic choice, but a conscious strategy: to integrate sex furniture into daily life without it being recognized as such.

A core principle in Nikita Aulov’s work is challenging and reshaping #stigma through design. “I take familiar shapes — often loaded with specific connotations — and pull them out of their original context to give new meaning or function. That confusion triggers emotional and cognitive responses, which serve as a design experiment: to explore the effects of subtle and explicit shapes, and to better understand how people react to sensitive topics. This opens up space for dialogue, shifts in perspective, occasional humor, and #SocialInnovation — both for myself and others.”

Take our 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘦, for instance: it looks like an ordinary lounge chair, but it’s also a thoughtfully designed, ergonomic sex aid.

Or the 𝘗𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘗𝘪𝘱𝘦: shaped like a weapon, but intended only for peaceful use. The pipe is designed to self-destruct if used for violence.

“I intentionally explore the tension between form and function. What happens when you place design on a scale — from extremely subtle to highly explicit? Where are the boundaries of what’s ‘acceptable’ or ‘shocking’? What kinds of reactions, connotations, or insights emerge from that? Can design help question — or positively reshape — societal thought patterns?”

🎁 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀

What looks like a sex toy… isn’t (seriously, don't use it!). The large one is decorative; the small ones are keychains.

Perfectly fitting within our themes of intimacy, symbolism, craftsmanship, and socially engaged design. Each piece was hand-turned on a lathe from local leftover wood.

And honestly, which sex toy is more #universal and #inclusive than a buttplug? Regardless of gender, origin, or disability… everyone has a butt! 🙃

Every student, lecturer and expert who took part in the #UD2Care Design Sprint received one as a personal gift. A small token of appreciation for their remarkable motivation and involvement in the project.