This double presentation will explore both historic and contemorary Czech design.

Czech glass carries centuries of craft knowledge, yet today it sits at a crossroads between heritage and reinvention. Jakub Pollág, designer and founder of the documentary Youtube channel Why It Takes Time, explores how Czech glassmaking traditions are being reinterpreted by a new generation of designers, studios and ateliers. Drawing on his work directing Why It Takes Time, a channel dedicated to filming the hours, costs and human effort behind exceptional craft, Pollág shares behind-the-scenes stories about the tension between commercial pressure and artistic integrity.

Most products are designed to be seen. Jakub Pollág designs to be understood. In this talk, he dissects the decisions behind his work — the materials, the manufacturing, the meaning — and makes the case that quality isn't a finish. It's a way of thinking. Why does it take time? What quality costs, what it reveals, and why it's worth it.

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About Jakub Pollág

Jakub Pollág is a product designer based in Prague, Czech Republic. Pollág is the founder of zeitgeist.limited, a design and manufacturing studio that seamlessly combines craftsmanship, innovation and sustainability. His work brings together a deep understanding of production processes with a clear, contemporary design language. After graduating from the Royal College of Art in London, Pollág gained hands-on experience with mass manufacturing at British brand Buster+Punch and served as co-creative director at Bomma Glassworks. He is recognized by platforms such as the German Design Award and Elle Decoration Award. In 2025, he founded documentary YouTube channel Why it Takes Time.