Where It All Began Established in 1997, Blu Dot's very first designs were sketched on a shared roll of butcher paper spread across a long table in a 300-square-foot space in Minneapolis. Three college friends—two architects and a sculptor—just dreaming and designing. The early makings of a very humble venture were inspired by their own futile search for desirable and affordable modern designs for homes. Together, they’ve built a business that not only supports design habits but lets them have hands-on the whole process, from product development through the customer experience. It’s how Blu Dot designs pieces that are in it for the long haul. Some of the most popular designs today were part of their very first collection.