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Interview with Klavdija Höfler and Matej Höfler |
Home > Designer Interviews > Klavdija Höfler and Matej Höfler |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Klavdija Höfler and Matej Höfler (KHAMH) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Klavdija Höfler and Matej Höfler by clicking here.
FS: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
KHAMH: Matej: I have always been fascinated by objects or spaces, from my childhood on. I was fascinated by pictures of my grandfather, which hung on the walls of our home and plans turbines of my father, who is a engineer. I like to draw. All these led me to the study of architecture and contact with the design. Klavdija: I like designing and drawing from my childhood. I always wanted that my profession is connected with design and art. My desire to develop over the years grew and I decided to move from words to action.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
KHAMH: Studio Höfler d.o.o. is mainly an architectural studio, where we design smaller, larger buildings and open spaces. We decided to create a new department for toy production and develop a brand.
FS: What is "design" for you?
KHAMH: Matej: Everything with the idea that there is something beautiful, useful and permanently. Most things devises or spaces that are useful and inspirational people. When designing products and spaces it always leads me user experience. It is not importnat only visual aspect, but also experience of the type, smell and sound. In addition, am committed to democratic design. This is a design that allows the user to different approaches and the use of the product. Klavdija: When I think about good design, I think about beauty, functionality, good presentation and story.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
KHAMH: Matej: Buildings, furniture and toys. Klavdija: Toys, ornaments for christmas and parties.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
KHAMH: Chairs of Slovenian designer Niko Kralj.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
KHAMH: Matej: The moste of my time I do building design. In the past I also do occasionally graphic design. Now I design a toy, portable baby crib Sofia, together with my wife Klavdija.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
KHAMH: Wood in all possible shapes and processes.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
KHAMH: Matej: Mostly in the evening. Klavdija: when I am very relaxed or I see something beautiful, like nature.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
KHAMH: Usability and beuaty.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
KHAMH: Something between passion, joy and doubts.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
KHAMH: Matej: Something between satisfaction and doubts. Klavdija: Satisfaction and hapines.
FS: What makes a design successful?
KHAMH: Matej: When the product is a long period of time under construction and you can still be able to say that it is good and modern. Although the modernity at product design is not a lead for me. Klavdija: That people notice the design and buy the product. That customers are satisfied with the product because they get inspiration for their work or because like to use or watch it.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
KHAMH: Matej: The most important aspect for my criteria is usefulness of the product. In addition, it must be beautiful, because beautiful things we rather touch and used. An important criterion is the the strength or manufacturing quality. And if there is something beautiful and quality made it is also permanently, which has given me an important criterion. Klavdija: Beauty, usefulness, quality, innovation, tehnology, design presentation.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
KHAMH: We, designers are certainly responsible for the work that we do. By this I mean the responsibility of users, subscribers, environment and of course to the people who made the product.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
KHAMH: Matej: I have had a several exibition like an architect, the last was on Month of Design in Ljubljana, Slovenija, October 2015. We plan the first exibition for a toy in Bled in Slovenia in the shop Zakladi Slovenije, Treasures in Slovenia between May 2016 and September 2016. The second exibition we plan in Ex-Chiesa di San Francesco, Viale Lorenzo Spallino, 1, 22100, Como, Italy, between the dates 9th of June 2016 and 28th of June, 2016. The third exibition we plan on A' Winners' Exhibition at Cube Design Museum, Museumplein, Kerkrade, Netherlands, between July 2 and August 4 2016. The fourth it will be on A' Winners' Exhibition at Bologna Design Week, Italy, between September 28 and October 1 2016. Five exhibition will be on Month of Design in Ljubljana, Slovenija, between 19 October 2016 and 19 November 2016. Six it will be on' Winners' Exhibition at "Shenzhen International Industrial Design Fair" Shenzhen, China, between 6 and 8 November 2016.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
KHAMH: Matej: Inspiration may come from multiple sources. I am often inspired by an older product, where the manufacturer also a designer. This I combined with perception of the image, or use of a new product, more on a subconscious level. And I try to discover in what form, image or pattern, this relates. Klavdija: Inspiration I get when I feel totaly freedom.
FS: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
KHAMH: Matej: I do not believe too much in the style of design. Closer to me is idea of the right approach, because each product has their own story.
FS: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
KHAMH: We believe that our cultural heritage make us more reacher and also is an important source for inspiration.
FS: How do you work with companies?
KHAMH: We work with a lot of diferent companies. We work very good.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
KHAMH: First we talk about what we wanted to do. Then we make first sketches. After that we make smaller models. Then we made plans and go to craftsmen. And then do prototipes.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
KHAMH: The Mosquito chair designed by Niko Kralj. Lamp Parentesi designed by Achille Castiglioni. Wodden bike Woodster. Tripp Trapp high chair for our daughter Sofija. La Cupola espresso coffee maker design by Aldo Rossi.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
KHAMH: To follow the main idea in all phases od designing.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
KHAMH: Matej: The most important tool is my hand. Important software tools are Rhinocerous, Autocad and Archicad. Klavdija: I use my imagination, then I draw my ideas on the paper and hang it on the wall. I also use books.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
KHAMH: It depends of project. Mostly about 6 months.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
KHAMH: We design our product by ourself. We outsource graphic designer.
FS: How can people contact you?
KHAMH: Address: STUDIO HÖFLER, projektiranje d.o.o., Gradišče XV/5, 1291 Škofljica. Phone: +38640-670-810. E-mail: info@kukulila.eu, https://www.facebook.com/kukulila.eu/.
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A’ Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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