Designer Interview

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Interview with Nicolas Brevers, at Sunday 18th of March 2018

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?
NB: I was not destined to become designer, I studied chemistry, herbalism and then the programming (IT developper).It is rather my passion for new technology and geometry, mathematics that led me to realize this type of lighting.

FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
NB: I’m based in Belgium, i work in my workshop « La Vallée »,. (this includes special orders—models up to2 meters in diameter—all made using exclusive materials) or subcontracted (standard models ) to an organization providing professional integration for people with disabilities. Every Lamp guarantees a commitment to sustainable, ethical, and responsible production.I'm trying to show my vision of design: a playful kinetic art form resulting from extensive research on aesthetics, harmony and natural balance.My passion for perfect proportions in accordance with the timeless laws of sacred geometry led him to adorn space with his atomic light forms. These forms are pure, light and contemporary and evoke the essence of natural elements. They are a testament to a new design language where rationality and functionality meet emotion and beauty to create a hypnotic and soothing universe.

FS: What is "design" for you?
NB: Beautiful and functional at the same time.

FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
NB: Tensegrity stuctures

FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
NB: Dandelion Mirror is an interactive product combines with real time generative algorithmic art and facial recognition technology, gathering user’s smile as nutrient, raising virtual dandelion growing. The project wants to rethink and encourage our living with pure smile and heath care by applying smart technology and media art.

FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
NB: The "XYZ golden rectangles tensegrity", with a diameter of 100 cm, this fixture was realized for a restaurant.This ceiling lighting is a structure composed of 3 golden rectangles in total tensegrity forming an icosahedron. The goal is an overall rendering towards ideal proportions. The tensile structure is made with a single string connected by a single knot. A dynamics of forces interacts in this module, a pressure between the rods, a tension in the strings. A dynamic that is reinforced by the sacred properties attributed to the icosahedron, form used in feng chui representing water, the second chakra, creative source of life.

FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
NB: Material: wood, brass.Platform: rhinotechnology: 3D printing

FS: When do you feel the most creative?
NB: Unfortunately when I go to sleep, my brain does not want to stop ...

FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
NB: The proportions and the balance in the materials used.

FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
NB: During the creation I feel focus, during the production I feel in a meditative state.

FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
NB: When I discover a finished piece, I am sometimes happy or I am disappointed because I can still improve the product.

FS: What makes a design successful?
NB: Simple, efficient and beautiful at the same time.

FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
NB: The Functionality.

FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
NB: It can bring a reflection to people, if its possible give a priority to equitable and local materials.

FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
NB: Connected, standardized objects.

FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
NB: Milan Salone del mobile 2017 , Maison et objet Paris in september

FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
NB: The organic mathematics , is my source of inspiration.These harmonious proportions found in nature which man has used for millennia. The golden ratio, is a key of my work. i draw infinite inspiration from these principles and is furthered by my ongoing research into harmony between an individual and his/her environment.Since my childhood, i have a passion for modular origami. I'm Following in the footsteps of scientists like Ron Resh and Richard Buckminster Fuller, i tirelessly play with geometrical forms modulating, assembling and disrupting them until new creations are born. I'm also inspired by Snelson’s discovery of the principle of tensigrity, as seen in the GOBO’s structure and its brightly projected forms.

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?
NB: A constant concern for balance, ideal proportions and lightness.

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?
NB: I live in Belgium in Brussels, I am not too influenced by my country but rather the Scandinavian countries and I like very much the of the south east asia.

FS: How do you work with companies?
NB: NA

FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
NB: There are several steps, prototyping, 3D design, create a template, the finished product in a loop, until the product is perfect.

FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
NB: NA

FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
NB: I live day by day, according to my inspirations it’s who guide my days.

FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
NB: NA

FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
NB: The “golden ratio” !

FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
NB: Creativity, method and rigor.

FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
NB: 3D: rhino, inventor.cnc.Paper, pencil.

FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
NB: When I have an idea, I only stop when I finish.

FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
NB: The design can take a day and finishes can take several months.

FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
NB: What is my source of inspiration.

FS: What was your most important job experience?
NB: IT, has taught me to realize and understand complex systems.

FS: Who are some of your clients?
NB: Private, interior designer.

FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
NB: I like modular structures because it is playful.

FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
NB: Subcontract a part of my production to devote myself more to the creation.

FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
NB: Iwork on my own.

FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
NB: I'm working on a kinetic object, a wall frame with a structure in movement controlled by arduino.This structure makes a cycle in one hour, it creates an almost imperspectible and hypnotizing movement at a time.

FS: How can people contact you?
NB: Nicolas BreversTel: +32 499 499 19 33 21email: lightmygobo@gmail.comweb: nicolasbrevers.com

FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
NB: NA

FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.

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