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Interview with Bonnelycke mdd |
Home > Designer Interviews > Bonnelycke mdd |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Bonnelycke mdd (BM) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Bonnelycke mdd 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?
BM: Did I always want to be a designer ? I think so, but as a child I did not know there was a name for it. All the way back in primary school drawing anything, taking things apart only to put them back together in a new order, and most likely incorporating some new feature, was were I kind of set apart from the rest. So I guess we all tends to follow the path where we experience a kind of success - so did I.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
BM: Bønnelycke mdd was established in 1988. Bønnelycke mdd is a multi disciplinary design company with both national and international experience. We are perfectionists with professional curiosity. We provide a wide variety of design disciplines encompassing architecture and interior design, furniture design and product design to communication assignments, graphic design and web design. From day one, the core of our work has been to create products simply because they are needed. Designs by Bønnelycke mdd grow out of a specific need or requirement expressed by the customer – and by the general public as such. This has resulted in a comprehensive portfolio of projects and designs allowing the company to slowly but steadily expand over the years. Many of our clients are manufacturers who operate by means of either in-house production or through sub suppliers. Thus, since 1988, we have accumulated a substantial amount of design knowledge and manufacturing experience within the global market. Our assignments often integrate several of our disciplines. This generates a credible image and a customized life cycle of the designed product. This means that the complete life span of each product from manufacturing, packaging and distribution through to context and sales is important to us. We do not accommodate our clients under false pretences. Qualified sparring is our clients’ guarantee for strong and competent solutions, which are profitable and aesthetic, and we do not compromise in this respect. Customer / Bønnelycke relationships are often long-term and based on mutual respect, loyalty and trust, which is the result of honest open dialogue, credible designs and last but not least, financial viability. We are committed to providing our clients with what they pay for – which is their own design!
FS: What is "design" for you?
BM: At Bønnelycke mdd we do not design for the sake of it. We believe that design does not hold any values per se. To us, the value of a design emerges when a product has relevance and when it is purchased, used and appreciated - this is why we design.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
BM: We enjoy every each assignment, and luckily we are mostly asked to design buildings, interiors, furniture or goods aimed directly at the enduser - the one and only who really has to fall in love with the result of our design work.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
BM: Well, actually there is no one, two, three or more favorites …
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
BM: It was a lamp design.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
BM: No favorite - from our point of view all materials, platforms and technologies are interesting and challenging.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
BM: I don't feel creative. Creative is not something one can feel or decide to be, creative is something one may have been - it is past tense. Actually I think creativity may only be recognized after it has taken place.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
BM: We carefully define the wishes, goals and conditions relevant to each assignment. The joy of working with and around boundaries is a driving force providing inspiration to our designs. Visual communication during the process creates a vital platform for debate, understanding, cooperation and ultimately completion of an assignment. Our objective is to create valid, all-round solutions for our costumers - whether they are private individuals or corporate units. We are committed to providing our clients with what they pay for – which is their own design!
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
BM: The entire palette - excitement, anger, frustration, joy, relief, fulfilled and just keep going.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
BM: Childishly happy.
FS: What makes a design successful?
BM: To us, the value of a design emerges when a product has relevance and when it is chosen, purchased, used and appreciated - when someone actually choose to have this specific design in their life everyday, that is a successful design.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
BM: There is no such thing as good or bad design - either it is design or it is not. If we like it is an entirely personal judgement or taste - exactly as it is with rain, sun, food, wine, music, aso.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
BM: The exact same as for any other person on planet earth - we have to do the best we can for all of us. We all know when we have done the best we can, we also know when we haven't - then we just have to do it all over again and again until we have !
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
BM: The only competitive parameter left is design. Price and quality are common denominators which anybody can live up to - if willing to.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
BM: We as a design company do not exhibit, our clients does in all major furniture and design fairs worldwide.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
BM: Inspiration mostly comes from works we already did - given the fact that every each time we design something, other ideas "pop" out all by themselves. No matter if we archive them in an idea bank or not, they are already stored in our minds - ready to be explored and used. We use them, without thinking them, the next time we discuss a new assignment with an existing or new client, the client most often ignites the "stored" ideas. The joy of designing is basically related to the joy of working with and around boundaries given beforehand. In fact, our creativity is stimulated by such boundaries because we are forced to utilize them optimally - both physically and financially. An assignment with no boundaries loses its importance. There must be a starting point as well as a definitive end.
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?
BM: We don't describe or define our design style, many other do, but we don't. We view all assignments through the same optic irrespective of the scale, and approach them with equal dedication and enthusiasm. We carefully define the wishes, goals and conditions relevant to each assignment. Visual communication during the process creates a vital platform for debate, understanding, cooperation and ultimately completion of an assignment. Our objective is to create valid, all-round solutions for our costumers - whether they are private individuals or corporate units.
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?
BM: Bønnelycke mdd is based in Denmark, and yes the cultural heritage has a major effect on the way we design and therefore also on the designs themselves. Our clients are based worldwide, and so far we have not experienced anything but pros as a result of living in Denmark - design wise that is.
FS: How do you work with companies?
BM: At Bønnelycke mdd, we create well-defined guidelines each time we initiate a new assignment or new phases within an assignment. Any cooperation with us implies a clear overall view of all procedures initiated by Bønnelycke and at what cost. Consensus of each step within the process is important in order to maintain focus – and to know the extent of the investment. We do not accommodate our clients under false pretences. Qualified sparring is our clients’ guarantee for strong and competent solutions, which are profitable and aesthetic, and we do not compromise in this respect. Customer / Bønnelycke relationships are often long-term and based on mutual respect, loyalty and trust, which is the result of honest open dialogue, credible designs and last but not least, financial viability. We are committed to providing our clients with what they pay for – which is their own design!
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
BM: Be available and be open for discussion, the company and the designer has the same goal - to make a success for the company. The designer's success is measured only by the company's success. How to select a good designer ? Whauu - that's quite a question to a designer - I assume the designer's toolbox and skills are sufficient, exactly as if one were to hire a carpenter I would assume he has saws, hammers, nails and knows how to use them. Given that toolbox and skills are sufficient, I think the most important thing to evaluate is the designers ability to communicate with exactly you (the company) - in my opinion you should be in eye-height. Probably a good comparison is that the company should evaluate the designer as if they were to have a new partner in the company - one with other skills, but with the same goals as the company already has.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
BM: Nope, not really ...
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
BM: I only have favorite designs at home, each has their purpose - otherwise why would I have them ?
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
BM: I guess it's like most other's: get out of bed, do the best I can all the time I am awake, go to sleep - next day same procedure.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
BM: Well I don't know if it's a pearl of wisdom but I know it's true: The least you can do is make an effort.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
BM: If I could find negatives, I would do something else.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
BM: LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN and listen again to your client - interpret - add more than expected - look at the result, and if it's not good enough (yes one can easily see that) start all over again.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
BM: Ability to listen and communicate.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
BM: We try to use all available sources and tools, and what is not available we either accept or try to make them available.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
BM: I spend all the time I find necessary without managing hours, but for my employees I insist they have their time off - go home on time, have weekends, holidays aso to nurse their families and other relations.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
BM: From start to finish, and then some.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
BM: What is the cost ?
FS: What was your most important job experience?
BM: Definitely that it helps to practice, you can only get better.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
BM: Our clients are manufacturers worldwide, developers in Europe and local private clients.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
BM: The ones where enthusiasm is present from start to finish.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
BM: Our next design must be better than the last one.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
BM: We work as a team with different forces, and we strive to work as team players with our clients.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
BM: Luckily we always have work-in-progress, but I do not find it appropriate to mention them since they are all in-progress for our clients.
FS: How can people contact you?
BM: Easiest way is to visit our site www.bonnelycke.com and contact us from there. Obviously our existing clients has all necessary info to get in touch with us any time.
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
BM: Probably, they just don't pop up right now.
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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