Behind the Designs
A Peek into the Creative Mind ofOne of
the World’s Top Designers
Story by Debra
Kronowitz
In
an ongoing series, Design District Magazine
sits down with top designers to get a glimpse into the creative
mindset. In this issue, we spoke with artist and craftsman
Tord Boontje. Boontje incorporates a romantic, artisanal
sensibility to contemporary industrial and product design. His use
of intricate detailing and rich colors are his signature. From his
studio in Bourg-Argental, France, the Dutch-born designer has
created for Swarovski, Artecnica and Moroso. His glassware,
dishware, chandeliers, lighting, furniture, fabric designs and paper
products have catapulted him to the top of contemporary design
culture. His successes include the
Wednesday Collection, Habitat’s
production of his Wednesday Light
(the renowned Garland light) and his
continued alliance with Swarovski, designing chandeliers for its
Crystal Palace.
He has also created a special holiday collection for department
store Target. Boontje will be at the Luminaire Coral Gables showroom
on October 8 for a cocktail reception. The reception will feature
his products from the Swarovski Crystal
Palace line. |
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When did you
first become interested in design?
As a child, I was always busy building dens, making things for my room,
making clothes, doing things to my bike, etc. My mother was an art
history and textile teacher, so I grew up in a very creative
environment. But it was not until I was about 15 that I discovered you
could go to a college and learn about this as a profession.
Explain the process you go through when you begin the creation
of a new product.
The start is always slow. It takes me a while to understand the whole
scope and possibilities of a new project. I don’t like to repeat myself
and look for a new creative approach to each new project. In a way that
makes it difficult but also the most creative; this is often the main
reason in deciding if I should take on a new project. After this
research phase, I sketch or make simple models in paper. Often, there is
a clear direction that comes out of this phase, something that is
exciting and makes sense. Then we start working on the idea as a studio.
Do your ideas usually come swiftly, or do they grow slowly over
time?
Slow, slow, slow.
What inspires you to create a new product or design a new
project?
A new, creative idea.
Much of your work is in glass and lighting, what drew you to
this?
A light is a very atmospheric element in a space; it can create emotion.
What do you love most about what you do?
Experimenting, finding new ways of doing things.
What is your favorite part of the design process?
The moment that the idea begins to form itself, when it becomes a new
story that makes sense.
From where do you draw your inspiration?
Art, technology, nature, life.
Who inspires you?
Alexander McQueen, Viviene Westwood, electronic music, Tim Burton,
Alfred Hitchcock, film in general, Fabergé, Newton, Victorians, Neal
Stephenson, Mandela, Mikhail Bulgakov and fairy tales.
What projects are you working on now? Any special projects for
Swarovski, Target, etc.?
With Swarovski we are working on extending the collection of the
Blossom and
Ice Branch
chandeliers, and I started thinking about
a new chandeliers idea. We are also working with Artecnica to develop a
new project in the Design with
Conscience collection. In total, there are
probably 15 different projects going on in the studio.
What would you want the readers to know about you?
I have a strong interest in film. One day I may try and make one myself.
First of all, I started working on a story to make a children’s book.
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