Chew on This: A Fresh Take on Design With Common Object Studio

In a design world that often prioritizes polish over playfulness, Common Object Studio is a breath of fresh, candy-scented air. Grounded in joy, friendship, and a serious commitment to sustainable materials, the American design duo, composed of college besties Fernando Ramirez and Justin Beitzel, has created something as unexpected as it is delightful: the BuzziChicle. 

Drawing inspiration from Fernando's childhood memories and the playful, pillowy shape of classic chewing gum, the BuzziChicle is more than just a piece of furniture; it’s a mood. Soft, bubbly, and unapologetically fun, this piece brings a fresh, pop-infused perspective on functional design. However, don’t be deceived by its candy-coated charm—both designers are deeply committed to sustainability. Every curve and material choice has been thoughtfully considered to minimize environmental impact while maximizing positive vibes. 

In a world filled with gray cubicles and cold minimalism, Common Object Studio introduces a burst of color, character, and consciousness, creating pieces that not only look good but also do good. What does the future of sustainable design hold? It’s vibrant and likely features a BuzziChicle at its heart. 

We sat down with the duo to chat about design philosophy, gum-inspired forms, and where BuzziChicle might be headed next. 

How would you describe your personal design philosophy, and how did it guide your approach to BuzziChicle and the collaboration with us? 

Fernando: Our design philosophy is rooted in playfulness and practicality, and we love diving into materials and processes. We believe design should evoke emotion but also serve a purpose. With BuzziChicle, we could take these sustainable principles that we've established here and really push them into a commercialized product. Sustainability is at the core of everything we do, and BuzziChicle reflects that balance. We also wanted to create something that’s visually engaging but also functions as an acoustic solution.  

Can you describe the moment when you knew you wanted to turn gum into an acoustic solution? Was it a random idea or something more intentional?
 

Justin: It was a bit of both! We wanted to play with soft loose objects that could work together and also bring a casualness to a space. At first, we thought of the forms as little pillows, but then Fernando shared his childhood memories of the gum during his visits to Mexico, and that sparked the idea. But once we started thinking about how we could combine the playful shape with acoustic functionality, it felt like a natural fit.  

Gum isn’t a common source of inspiration. How did that influence the form and feel of BuzziChicle? 

Fernando: Growing up, I was captivated by those multicolored packs of gum. It wasn’t just about the flavor, it was the way the colors came together, the layers, and how they interacted. That playfulness inspired the shape and energy of BuzziChicle. It’s all about bringing joy and surprise into functional design. 

When did your journey with sustainable design begin, and how does it shape your work on BuzziChicle?
 

Justin: Sustainability has been a core value from the beginning. We started by working directly with material suppliers and recyclers to better understand how to make our designs more eco-friendly. For BuzziChicle, every material and manufacturing choice was made with the environment in mind, whether it’s through using recycled materials or eliminating glue and foam from the solution. If sustainability isn't prioritized from the beginning, it can easily be overlooked. 

What design challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
 

Justin: It took a lot of testing and iterations to get the material choices and shapes just right, which finally led us to using a completely recycled material instead of a foam, which turned out to be really beautiful. Working together allows us to bounce ideas off each other to find a solution. And working with BuzziSpace, it was amazing to see how fast everything could come together. 

What’s one design detail you’re super proud of that most people might miss?
 

Fernando: I think upholstered lighting is a fun idea in general. So one of our goals was just to play up that interaction of these little shapes that are tethered and showing a clear relationship to each other as a singular unit. And we hope people appreciate the beautiful craftsmanship. 

What’s the ideal environment for BuzziChicle, and how do you envision people interacting with it? 

Fernando: We wanted BuzziChicle to be a modular system that is meant to be engaging in open offices, lounge areas, or even hospitality zones. It’s designed to be playful and adaptable. We hope anyone who sees our work with BuzziSpace will feel that same spark of nostalgia and connection that I felt looking at those colorful gum packs as a kid. 

Finally, what emotion or vibe do you want people to feel when they see this piece, and what do you hope people will remember about BuzziChicle in the years to come?
 

Justin: We want people to smile. BuzziChicle is about creating a moment of joy, a playful escape from the seriousness of everyday life. We hope people remember it as a symbol of how design can be fun and functional, while still being mindful of the environment. It’s a piece that reminds you that design doesn’t have to be serious to make a meaningful impact. We really hope people embrace the positive energy it brings. 

In a time when the design world is searching for purpose and play in equal measure, Fernando and Justin have found a way to serve both. And if the future of sustainable interiors looks anything like this? We’re savoring every bite.