Archive for February 2010
Daniel Svahn
Daniel Svahn, 30, Sweden
School: Beckmans College of Design. Graduated 2009 (BFA)
Department: Form
Specials: Product- Furniture- and Interior design
Design background
After Beckmans I now run my own design studio. I also work as an assistant at Jens Fager A&D. During school I had a summer internship at Matti Klenell/ Peter Andersson Design Studio.
Important lessons learned during your education
That you can’t learn everything in school. You have to push yourself and seek the information and means you need for specific projects. To use the knowledge of your teachers and classmates in off-school projects and to use the workshops after hours!
Did you do anything prior to your education to strengthen your skills and to get into your school?
I studied sculpturing and 3D art for 2 years at the Idun Lovén Art School. Before that I went 1 year at the preparatory art school Konstskolan i Stockholm.
Project title
Quiet Riot – screen wall. (part of the series “Roaming the Streets” which also featured a sideboard and a clothes hanger).
Length of project
On and off for about 12 weeks.
Concept
Furniture inspired by observations of shapes and expressions in the urban environment.
Inspiration
For the screen wall it was riot railings and how beautiful they are in their shape, roughness and basic function to divide. I was also inspired by soiled concrete walls, like by graffiti and trashy posters and what not.
Materials
Steel rods, sound absorbing plates, upholstery and fabric.
Keywords for the visual design
To get the true shape of the railing (and because of lack of time and money) I made the prototype from real railings that I rebuilt to the shape I wanted. As a “real” product the framework and construction would be very different and I’m already working on developments for it to make it more functional and expressive. But it’s still thought to work as a combined sound absorbing screen wall and notice board.
How is your work process when you design?
I actually work a lot in my head and sketch through thoughts. I probably need to sketch more for real and I’m working on it. Then there’s a lot of modeling in small-scale, computer 3D and full-scale. When I make prototypes I really want them to work and be able to be tried out.
Which part of the process is the hardest for you to work through?
The final decisions. No matter how well I plan my work I will always end up having trouble deciding the last small things like defined details and colors.
In your experience, are there specific skills that would be helpful to master?
- Fundamental knowledge of construction, how things can be joined and how they work together.
- Being able to make construction drawings like in AutoCad.
- To communicate yourself and your ideas in a way people can understand.
What are your strengths?
I work pretty well in stressful situations, but I’m also very good at making schedules and deadlines and to follow them.
What are your weaknesses?
I’m never really satisfied, but who is and should you be?
Do you turn to specific areas for inspiration in general?
Oh, it can be all and nothing. There’s something in everything, you just have to be observant.
Any designers you find inspirational?
There’s so many talented people, it’s hard to name only a few and leave others out. But basically all people who follow their dreams, have fun, work hard and who can stand for their works all the way to the end.
Other students you find inspirational?
My former class- and school mates, my fellow designer friends and as above.
Is your work process based on a special approach towards design?
Hm, I don’t know. I like to be rational, realistic yet out there. And to experiment and have fun! That is key, the work shouldn’t be a burden.
Do you have a dream scenario for you and your design in the future?
To continue to develop myself and learn new things along the way. And hopefully make designs that get appreciated and to do it for a living.
Has it always been a dream to work with design?
I knew that I wanted to work with something creative and at first I aspired to be an artist. But then my interest for design grew and I realized that, that was my heading. But I try to combine the two and be as artistic I can in my projects.
Why did you choose this specific specialization?
I like, not quick quick, but quick results and I like people and I like working with people to try to solve their problems. Also I need the push of a mission/deadline to get to work.
Do you have any other projects you would like to highlight?
The rest of the products in the “Roaming the Streets” series. But also my exam project at Beckmans called “Viskningsleken” (Chinese Whispers).
An alternate, random like and collective design process I experimented with to find new and exciting shapes for furniture. (Check the website through the link below. red.)
Were can we find more information about you?
Contact info
daniel@danielsvahn.com
Carl Hagerling
Carl Hagerling, Sweden
School: Studied Master of Industrial Design at Lund University
Design background
- Graphic + industrial design at own company Hagerling form, Malmö (www.hagerling.se)
- Industrial designer at Hareide designmill Gothenburg (www.hareide-designmill.se)
- Interface designer at Sony Ericsson Lund (www.sonyericsson.se)
Did you do anything prior to your education to strengthen your skills and to get into your school?
Studied graphic design and multimedia for 2, 5 half years
Project title
UNO
Length of project
3 weeks
Concept
Furniture collection
Inspiration
Spacecrafts from the 60′ties
Materials
Wood (mdf and oak) and steel
Keywords for the visual design
Space, clean, *light*
How is your work process when you design?
I work very quick to not lose my first instinct. Look allot on inspirational pictures. Find shapes that are interesting. Sketch pretty quick on different solutions. Make it in CAD. Make prototype
Which part of the process is the hardest for you to work through?
When the project is slow and you get bored of the whole thing
In your experience, are there specific skills that would be helpful to master?
Sketch, CAD, Creative, some engineer skills and to be persistent
Do you turn to specific areas for inspiration in general?
Here comes a cliché: I find inspiration in everyday objects. Could be anything from clothes-peg to tree structure
Any designers you find inspirational?
Tom Dixon and Claes Nellestam
Is your work process based on a special approach towards design?
Clean and uncluttered lines
Do you have a dream scenario for you and your design in the future?
Just to be able to continue to create.
Has it always been a dream to work with design?
yes
Do you have any other projects you would like to highlight?
I’m doing new work all the time for different clients. Check out my webpage: www.hagerling.se for latest project
Were can we find more information about you?
