Yaacov Kaufman (born 1945) is a distinguished Soviet-born Israeli industrial designer and academic, celebrated for his innovative contributions to lighting, furniture, and conceptual product design.
Kaufman is known for bridging the gap between art and utility through rigorous experimentation with "families" of objects.
Partnered with top European brands including Arflex (e.g., the Virgola armchair), Tecno, Porro, and Serien.
Yaacov Kaufman’s partnership with the Italian heritage brand Arflex is defined by a playful yet rigorous exploration of geometry. His most iconic contribution is the Virgola series, which transformed punctuation marks into ergonomic seating.
Kaufman's work for Arflex is often cited in design history for its eclecticism. While Arflex was known for mid-century modernism, Kaufman introduced a "post-modern minimalist" vibe that was both sculptural and functional.
Comma (1991):
The name means "Comma" in Italian, reflecting its distinctive curved profile.
Structure: Built with a steel frame and molded polyurethane foam.
Features: It is widely recognized for its high, arched backrest and slim metal legs (usually aluminum or black-painted steel).