The White House tried crowdsourcing when Obama first came in. They asked the public what its main priorities should be. Legalising marijuana came up number one. Depending on your point of view it may, or may not, have worked for Obama but a version of crowd sourcing is delivering for furniture producer and retailer, Groopti. The website invites submissions from designers then people can vote to green light the production of their favourite product. Started by New York-based Duri Chitayat (behind sofa on right) Groopti has the manufacturing expertise and contacts as well as retail knowledge to put the successful items into production. The international team at Groopti also provide an estimated retail price for each product to help inform voting.

Above, lamp with laser cut Arabic type by Yara Al-Adib, estimated price $80.

Below Autumn Lounge Chair by Nicole Hodsdon, estimated price $500.

Also by Hodsdon, Jasmine chair below, estimated price $370.

Below, Beach Chair by Emil Thunstrom, estimated price $400. The Stockholm-based designer’s keywords to describe his product are sustainability, jazz, cigars and golf, not a combination of words you hear every day.

Crowdsourcing may not work in politics – in the UK, Number 10 tried it and Jeremy Clarkson was suggested for Prime Minister – but it seems to work for furniture.