Parsons Industrial Design Alumni Launch Souper Studio
Souper Connect is a human-shaped building block that can’t stand up by itself, reminding users that people need to rely on each other for support. Originally designed and developed by Peter Minsoub Sim during his first year of the MFA Industrial Design program at Parsons, the product is the first offering from Souper Studio, which was started by Sim, Andrew Longo, Blanca Codina, and Mara Zimmerman.
“Over two years of collaboration during our Master’s program, we discovered a mutual interest in designing tangible products for daily life,” share the designers. “Recognizing the strength in our collective vision, Peter brought us together to form Souper Studio, united by our shared enthusiasm for design and innovation. As a group of experts in design, manufacturing, and marketing, we are excited to not only introduce our own designs but also help other designers bring their visions to the market.”
For Souper Connect, the group’s first product, they wanted to design something that would inspire play, collaboration, and exploration. There are a variety of ways to assemble the product, which expands the building possibilities, and gives users the opportunity to fidget, create, and share.
“While our primary focus is on the home goods and gifts market, our overarching goal is to spotlight emerging designers with unique ideas,” they explain. “We seek to share projects that are not only practical and thoughtful but also have the power to bring a smile to people’s faces. At Souper Studio, it’s about more than just the product—it’s about the people behind it.”
During their time at Parsons, the four designers were trained to not think or design in a specific way, but learned through immersive experiences and exposure to diverse perspectives. The inclusive environment at Parsons allowed them to experiment and collaborate, and test their visions beyond the classroom.
Next up, Souper Studio is working on their next product, the Faucet Lamp, a faucet that pours light instead of water. Designed by Codina, the lamp was initially developed as part of her thesis project while at Parsons.
