Before the coronavirus emergency, Ziemiņš mainly designed installations, decorations, and designs for events. When events subsided and the hum of work ground to a halt, Mārcis developed a new business idea satisfying the current demand. He created the "Spray Box": a hand disinfectant stand combining function and design.
Ziemiņš is the owner and head of the design company "Dont Panic" Ltd (sic), which works with installations and decorations in the event industry.
Like many others, their professional activity was suspended during the crisis. "I lost ongoing and scheduled projects. I had to come up with a way to help the society and to keep the company going. The product I made is a disinfectant stand called 'Spray Box'. The idea is simple: combine hand disinfection with aesthetic design that complements the interior rather than destroying it. At the same time, it had to be easy to use and cost-effective. The stand holds up to five liters of liquid. It is stored at the bottom, easy to refill," Ziemiņš told Latvian Radio.
He admits he didn't really think about disinfectants before the crisis, with the product springing up as a result of COVID-19.
"Design and attractiveness are important to me; at the same time, I follow the principle form follows function. No unnecessary extras. Orders are already coming in, stands are being produced and will be delivered next week."
"There is an interest from people who want to export the product. Orders come from different people and companies - from churches to shops, offices, tourism agencies," said Ziemiņš.
"There are a number of bonuses to the product. It holds a large amount of liquid, is sensor-activated and doesn't have to be touched. If necessary, I will modify the design in the future and offer a competitive price - the stand cannot be too expensive at this point," said the designer.
