Jan Goderis

I am an interior designer by training but since my student days, I have been intensely involved in designing furniture and objects. After my studies, I started working on architectural projects where I often designed furniture, lighting and objects. At that time, I kept a sketch diary to note initial designs. Design for me is something that comes naturally and I enjoy doing it. In 2021, I started focusing solely on design.

The design studio is something that naturally grew out of my previous career where I designed interiors and architecture. We focus on a wide range of assignments. It's a challenge to discover new boundaries and challenges.

For me, design is solving an issue. To develop from an inspiration, which can vary greatly, an object of use that is easy to produce, ergonomic, user-friendly, aesthetic, and sustainable.

Every theme is a challenge. It is fascinating and has the satisfaction to develop new utensils. Discovering things that are new and have their specific core characteristics according to use, production, etc.... This can range from cutlery, furniture, a wristwatch or even a car or bicycle

The design of my 'Japan' chair and accompanying collection. Designing an original chair is more difficult than designing a complex building. Then coming up with a unique idea that is functional and aesthetic gives great satisfaction.

The dismountable table 'Nomad' with a new ash assembly system for the base.

Combining various materials is something I find interesting. That could be solid wood, plywood with visible structure, or leather. Every material has its properties and has its limits according to application. Pushing those limits is an adventure in itself.

When designs go smoothly, I enter a kind of euphoria. Coming to a solution has a lot of satisfaction. This also triggers new ideas for other designs. When designing, I always listen to music that enhances the feeling.

The functional, constructive and aesthetic aspects. It is a kind of trinity.

A euphoria that can be compared to going over your limits in a sports performance.

A lot of satisfaction, but being on the road is sometimes more important than the arrival.

If you can move people with your design because of its beauty, functionality...

Ergonomic, functional, aesthetic. I like simple things but they should have depth.

The materials and production techniques used must be environmentally friendly. The designer has a big responsibility in this, but so do the producer and user. The design should be durable in use, usable for several generations and relevant in form and solidity. Stand-alone experiments with recycling can be interesting but in our current industrial society, ecological mass production is more important to have an effect on our environment.

Now we are in a kind of transition phase. People are experimenting a lot with new materials and designs. But it is fashionable and not sustainable in my opinion. There is a lot of contemporary design now, which makes design elitist. Design should be accessible to everyone. The design industry can answer that.

My last exhibition was in Venice. This is my favourite city. An ancient but vital city that is very inspiring. For the next exhibition, I would like to show my work in Milan. Venice is interesting but Milan is the Mecca for design.

I absorb everything that is useful for a possible design. This can be something I see in a construction shop, an 'objet trouvé', art, music...it's a way of looking.

My designs are architectural and have a sober design but not minimalistic because I find ergonomics and functionality important and do not want to compromise on that.

Belgium is a compact country with a strong artistic culture. There is always something interesting to see or experience. I live in Ghent, a large but compact city, it does not have the bustle of Brussels or Antwerp, which makes it pleasant to live, it is also centrally located. Belgium is a good base to other countries in Europe or the world.

More than in the past, large design manufacturers are focusing more on well-known designers because name recognition is better for sales. It is important to give new talent a chance and bring new blood to a company. People often also select the realized work to see if it is in line with the DNA of the company, it is important to look at the design craftsmanship and to step out of the comfort zone of what has already been realized.

Usually I see something interesting, this can be very broad, which can use as a basis for a design. I sketch the first ideas in my sketchbooks, then draw it out in 2D for further design and then make a 3D drawing to further develop. If I feel it's right, I'll make a 3D print to fine-tune it further. A 3D printer is a rewarding tool for designing.

The plywood LCW by Vitra, the lounge chair by Borsani, a real sitting machine, the Y-bone chair, a chair by Ikea with an ingenious connection style and my own Nomad table design.

A strong cup of coffee to start the day, some reading, some designing, to the local art bookstore or one of the libraries in town and if the weather is good go for a bike ride or whatever gives you time to think.

Follow your own path, be inspired, but don't let fashion trends influence your work too much. Hang in there, eventually you will succeed in realizing your dream.

The design process and elaboration into a producible product gives much more than enough. All that is added is ballast, but it also has to be done.

Always question your work, but also dare to draw a line that you will not lose in it.

Books and music are important inspirations in design. Books are a source of inspiration and are often the origin of a design or help solve a problem. It provides insights. I use 2D and 3D drawing programs, photo editing programs and layout programs. The Internet is also an important archive for doing research.

For me it is something that comes naturally. Sometimes I work on a design for years, not constantly, I let it rest for a few hours, days, weeks, months, or years and take it back to work on. Also depends a bit on the deadlines, but this does not hinder the design. Due to time limitations, I often start designing in a more focused way. Designing under time pressure often leads to surprising solutions.

I do the designing and I am assisted with administrative tasks. My partner and friends are a sounding board to demonstrate my designs, which is part of the design process.

I am currently working on hardware for production. I really enjoyed designing hardware, it's almost like sculpting.

The easiest is via email 'jangoderis@gmail.com, or via my website 'www.jangoderis.com' where my other contact details are also available.

To me, designing is like making a work of art and is what I prefer to do and what I am strong at.

In the first period of my career, I mainly worked as an interior architect on architectural projects at the well-known architectural firm Driesen-Meersman-Thomaes from Antwerp (BE). These were mainly public buildings, restorations, and conversion of historic buildings. Including the restoration of the library of Renaat Braem, then the youngest protected monument in Flanders. Braem was the only Belgian architect who worked in Le Corbusier's office. Braem was a very important figure for modernist architecture in Flanders. An auditorium for the University of Antwerp. The offices of fashion designer Dries Van Noten in Antwerp…but also the scenography of international exhibitions at Bozar in Brussels. In these projects, the detailing of the architecture and furnishing was very important, so I designed both architectural and interior elements. That is why my designs have a strong architectural character. Through these projects, I have gained a broad experience in product design. Since the beginning of my career, I have always kept sketchbooks where I wrote down design ideas. So I have always been involved in design. In 2021 I officially started as a designer.

In architectural projects, a lot of time and energy went into things that have nothing to do with the design process. In the end, I decided to stop doing this and focus on design so I could do what I love to do and what I'm good at. It was a logical step. Since my student days, I have been taking part in design exhibitions and competitions. In that period of architectural projects, The design was somewhat pushed into the background. At that time I had little income and I had to take care of my family, which led me to the world of architecture. When designing, there is also the challenge of pushing new boundaries to the application of materials and production, whether or not combined with traditional and/or in combination modern production options. From the start of my artistic education, I felt a lot of satisfaction in designing. When designing goes smoothly, it's like I get an adrenaline rush. During my 8-year training as an Interior Architect, it quickly became clear that I had a lot of design talent, I say this in all modesty. Designing always came naturally and got high marks on my work. That's why I also became a professional designer. Designing gives me a good feeling that you can compare to a Runner's High.

Aesthetics, ergonomics, and functionality are important elements but it is more extensive than this. Ecology, producibility, and sturdiness are linked to sustainability. During the design process, all these elements are tested simultaneously. They are inextricably linked during the design process. Remove 1 element and your design loses a piece of its design quality. During the design I first make a 2nd drawing, this is the most important phase. With this, I make a 3D simulation and 3D prints. When the design is ready, I made a High-End prototype to go to a manufacturer.

If it's been a while since I designed, it feels a bit awkward and insecure to start with a new design, but I have no problem with a design 'Block'. For a design, I can always fall back on the ideas that I have noted down in my sketchbook over the past few years. But it is important to get in the mood while designing. I always listen to music while designing. It makes me feel good. The choice of music also determines how I feel. When there is a breakthrough in design I feel euphoric, it has a blissful feeling. And in that mood, new ideas spontaneously emerge.

For my training as an Interior Architect, I followed a technical course. Because of this, I have technical insight and I can easily put myself in this aspect of the design process. I can also easily imagine a design spatially. These aspects have become automatic. I have also always been sensitive to the use of colour. I have often done restorations of historic properties where implementing and matching colour was important when adding new elements in a historic environment. The application of colour and materials are very important when designing. A design can stand or fall with it.

At the age of 15, I started an 8-year artistic education. I came from a technical school and at the start of my artistic education, I came into contact with new music, art, architecture... I had a great interest and hunger for that. It has enriched me as a person and as a designer. It's a learning process that never stops. The 1st year of my education was still a search for myself, but in the 2nd year, I went full out with my creativity. Designing gave me great satisfaction. At the end of my education, I often participated in exhibitions and competitions. After my education, I ended up in the architecture world. I had a great interest in that because for me good architecture is determined by a good interior. The two are inextricably linked. With an interior assignment, you also have to take into account the orientation of living spaces, views, layout, materials… My design projects are strongly influenced by this. They have something architectural. Due to the variety of these architectural projects, I have gained broad experience in designing various things. That experience now comes in handy in my design projects.

Try to be yourself. Look at what is happening around you but respect your own vision. But also question your work and reflect this to the outside world by asking for different opinions. And be patient, a start can be difficult. Believe in yourself.

Broaden your vision by opening up to different and new things. Look at architecture, art, but also everyday things… this can be very enriching. Keep learning. Go to lectures, follow courses, and info moments… so that you become more professional. Look up contacts and broaden your circle of acquaintances. Dare to ask for advice and help from others. But above all, stay true to yourself.

A good breakfast with strong coffee is a solid start to the day for me. In the morning I mainly deal with practical and administrative matters. In the afternoon I start designing. Sometimes I go cycling in between to think and relax. I go visit a friend. Or I go to the library or art bookstore in town. This is very inspiring and energizing. I live in a city where everything is close by which is an unprecedented luxury. The best time for designing for me is in the late afternoon.

I follow trends from a distance. And let me subconsciously be inspired by it. When designing, I mainly follow my own vision. My designs are simple and sober, almost minimalistic but with substance and they cannot always be pigeonholed. As a result, I hope to be able to make sustainable and timeless designs. Trying to respond to trends is exhausting and oppressive to me. If I follow a trend, it is mainly using (new) material. My designs are simple and lend themselves to deriving other designs from them without copying myself. This way I can easily design family collections and my designs are commercially interesting.

Good design is subjective and can depend on various factors such as the purpose of the design, However, some common characteristics of well-designed products or projects include functionality, usability, aesthetics, and innovation. A well-designed product or project should meet the needs of its users while also being visually appealing and easy to use. Additionally, good design should be innovative and offer a unique solution that sets it apart from similar products or projects.

For me, designing is a process of omitting things, designing to the essence. You instinctively feel that a design is ready. You subconsciously have criteria for yourself that a design must meet and you automatically work towards them. When all the puzzle pieces fall into place, the design is complete. Those puzzle pieces are ergonomics, aesthetics, proportions, and construction…all elements important for good design.

The JAPAN collection is the most important design for me so far. It is a collection of seating furniture and tables. It started with the design of a lounge chair. When designing, the basic conditions of a chair were sought. This resulted in a simple seating construction. During the design, we sought to get to the essence and leave out superfluous things. Due to the basic design, the design of the lounge chair was also used to design a chair, stackable, with or without a backrest, a bar chair, a lounge chair with a backrest and a chaise longue and even a table. The construction is made of steel tubes and wooden legs and end pieces. The seat and back are made of saddle leather. Due to its simplicity, the design also lends itself to making plastic versions for industrial production. This makes it an important design. Subsequently, derivative chairs were also designed, including a wooden chair made from pleated wood and a chair made entirely of aluminium with a stretched leather seat and back. I am currently working on various designs, including an easily mountable and stable trestle system that provides legroom. Lighting designs, some chairs and I started with a modular seating system.

I have great admiration for 'Jasper Morrison' and the way in which he rethinks existing designs and thus creates a new evolution in design by applying new materials and production techniques. Charles and Ray Eames are historically the most important designers for me. Their designs still look very current after all this time. They are ingenious, simple, ergonomic and beautiful. I haven't thought about it until now, but I've already purchased some of their designs over time. The final design was the LCW plywood. It is very comfortable and behaves like a sculpture in space. Eames designed it in 1946 and it still doesn't look dated, which is the case with most l design classics without detracting from the design. If this were possible I would like to have a conversation with Le Corbusier about architecture. He is the most important architect of the 20th and even 21st century. As the most important designer of the 20th century, I would like to have a conversation with Charles Eames

Italy is for me the most inspiring country in terms of architecture and art. My favourite city is Venice. It is often said that it is an old museum, but I do not think so. It is a bustling and dynamic city where old and new trends enter into dialogue with each other. On every corner, there is something surprising to discover with beautiful buildings and squares or art. The colourful architecture reflected in the water is unusual and special. We try to avoid tourist places. But Venice has always been a magnet for tourism. Due to the high concentration of art and culture, the city feels like a cradle for our Western culture. I got the inspiration for my Mann table design in Venice. Music has always been very important while designing, I will never design without it. It helps me to get into the right state of mind that helps determine my choice of music. My music interests are very broad, ranging from Bach to Miles Davis and Nina Hagen. Like most people, my music was founded during my adolescence.

The philosophy of the design agency is based on various values such as creativity, innovation, functionality, user-friendliness and circularity, which employees must also feel in touch with. While designing both existing techniques and digital tools are used. There is a vivid interest in researching new techniques, materials, ergonomics, ecology, and social and economic aspects in the designing process. The development process looks for the essence of a design, for form, material, production and user-friendliness in dialogue with the various parties. Currently, I work alone. I am currently negotiating with some companies to bring designs into production and I hope to be able to attract employees so that I can concentrate more on the creative process.

During the design process, consideration is given to how a design can be produced locally. This implies how we can combine new automated production techniques with local labour. Too often low-wage countries are still used where labour rights are not respected. By bringing this back to the regional level, less socially strong workers can also be attracted. In addition to eco-design, there are also initiatives that focus on this group of workers for production. I also had the chance to participate in that with a light design.

My work does not always fit within the current fashion trends but is aimed at a sustainable and timeless design. Because of this, I was considered an outsider and received less attention. The awards I won gave people interest and respect for my work. As a result of which it was published more often and I was selected for various manifestations. The name recognition also made it easier to get in contact with design companies and gives better visibility in the design landscape.

At the age of 15, I started the artistic training 'Interior Art' at the Sint-Lucas art institute in Ghent, Belgium. So I started designing very early. Afterwards, I followed the master course in 'Interior Architecture' at the LUCA School for Architecture in Ghent. Immediately I had a broad interest in art, architecture, literature and music to use and implement in my school projects. I have always had a great appetite to discover new things. This made the courses very interesting for me to discover myself and my talents. The creative process gave me a lot of satisfaction and felt like something natural. It was like learning to discover a language.

For me, designing is looking for a solution to a problem. How can I convert an idea into a functional, aesthetic object. It may sound crazy, but as a child, I mainly played with LEGO. I only had a limited number of LEGO pieces but tried to make all kinds of constructions with them. For me, designing is a further natural evolution of that. Designing is a spontaneous process, often the design is based on something I saw. That can be art, an object found during a walk in the woods or by the sea, architecture.... And when you see it, a design process starts that evolves further and usually deviates from the starting point in order to arrive at a new given. Often it is also an image that appears in my mind. I always and everywhere have a sketchbook with me where I sketch these ideas. These are rough basic designs. Hence research into how I can further design it according to an original idea, which is aesthetic, ergonomic, and sustainable. In this process, I immediately think about how it is constructed constructively and whether or not it is producible, whether or not it is geared to the production possibilities of the customer. When designing, there is also the challenge of pushing new boundaries to the application of materials and production, whether or not combined with traditional and/or in combination modern production options. From the start of my artistic education, I felt a lot of satisfaction in designing. When designing goes smoothly, it's like I get an adrenaline rush. During my 8-year training as an Interior Architect, it quickly became clear that I had a lot of design talent, I say this in all modesty. Designing always came naturally and got high marks on my work. That is why I also became a professional designer

I ended up in an artistic education by accident. First I had technical training. My father saw that I could handle more challenges and enrolled me in art school. In retrospect, this turned out to be a good decision. The fact that I did technical training beforehand has always played to my advantage. When I design, I immediately think about how something is put together and how it can be produced. Which also ensures that I can easily imagine something spatial (3D). It was under gentle duress that I became a designer.

My design interest is very broad. It started with furniture, later lighting and utensils, glass and ceramics... But if the opportunity arises I would like to design bicycles, cars, clocks and even fashion etc…. I have never felt confined to a particular theme. Perhaps this is also due to my hunger to discover new things. In the meantime, I already have a broad design portfolio that is very diverse in terms of content. I would like to design more lighting. The combination of light and a shape containing the light source creates a special interaction.

I don't consider myself a design legend because designing comes naturally to me. I think it's especially important to follow your own path. Being open to discovering things, and that doesn't always have to be new things. Don't be afraid to come out with your work. Try to show your work through as many channels as possible. And be patient. If you know you are good, persevere and believe in the future, chances are you will be discovered.

A great designer always goes a step further than expected, he explores new boundaries and knows how to surprise people with fresh ideas. And therefore they don't have to be spectacular designs.

When a design triggers something emotional in the viewer and/or user. Arousing amazement. And again that doesn't have to be spectacular or complex. That wonder can be diverse such as; the proportions, the tactile, user comfort, shape, and material combination….

Good design can be enriching for users. It can improve the quality of life and not always in a material way but also mentally. It can subconsciously give you a sense of well-being. Good design is also sustainable. Due to its qualities, it enters into a relationship with its user and the design can be passed on to the next generation. That is why 'Vintage design' is so popular. The combination of good design creates a bond and the design has a soul through use over time.

I would like to design a super piece of furniture for myself to live in. A simple and functional sculpture to live in where everything has a meaning in terms of aesthetics and use.

Designing the ultimate chair. After the tables, the chair is the most important piece of furniture in a home. It must meet various requirements, aesthetic, ergonomic, sturdy, comfortable… Often so-called trendy design does not meet these requirements.

Unfortunately, I don't know this. Perseverance and self-belief are important elements. But even so, you should always “question” your work to yourself. This ensures an evolution in your work and you transcend new boundaries, which will make you unique as a designer

Pierre Chareau, and in particular his 'Glass house' in Paris has been very important to me. The house and the furniture he designed for it together form a living machine, but not in the narrow sense of the word. In addition, 'Le Corbusier' and Soviet architects such as 'Konstatin Melnikov' 'Charles and Ray Eames' have been very innovative in technique, production and design and their designs are still current. I find contemporary architecture very inspiring. Architecture largely determines the evolution of design. I have great admiration for 'Jasper Morrison' and the way in which he rethinks existing designs and thus creates a new evolution in design.

My most favourite designs are P81 relax chair designed by 'Borsani' and the LCW plywood by Eames. The P81 is an almost unlimited adjustable seating and reclining furniture, the system is ingenious in its simplicity. I am the proud owner of a P81 sofa from the 1st production period that I found in a dump and completely restored it myself. It was a grateful tool for me when designing chaise longue and lounge chairs. The Eames LCW plywood is very comfortable and behaves like a sculpture in a room. Eames designed it in 1946 and it still doesn't look dated, which is the case with most l design classics without detracting from the design.

The JAPAN chair, and by extension the entire JAPAN collection. The design is very simple and reduced to the essentials for its form and function. The omission of parts was an important process that led to the final design. Because it has been reduced to the essence, a complete family of chairs could be designed, with a backrest, a stackable, lounge chair with and without a backrest, a chaise longue, a bar stool and a table. Steel, wood and saddle leather have been used for the chair. Versions in plastic are also possible from the JAPAN designs. And so a foundation has been laid for a new chair design made of folded wood and a version completely made of aluminium so that it can also be used outdoors.

When designing, I always question the design. Being critical also teaches you to see a design from a bottom point of view. This way you discover new possibilities that you didn't think of before. Sometimes it is important to let a design rest for a while, this can be an hour, days, weeks, months. Unconsciously you keep working on the design and this can lead to solutions. Ask family and friends what they think of the design and test their experiences and your opinion or vision.

Musician or fashion designer. Music is very important for me when a design. It cares for and supports your state of mind when designing and stimulates the creative process. Although I would have loved to do fashion, I find it a volatile medium with a hellish workload where one has to design a new collection for every season. But in the meantime, many designers are abandoning this and limiting themselves to a few collections per year. The consumption of clothing as a result of this is also no longer justifiable.

For me, this is designing an aesthetic and functional utensil in the broadest sense. Currently, there is a (fashion) evolution to design objects that are not functional. They are more decorative objects that have a short lifespan due to their lack of functionality. These are designs that are often aimed at a middle-class audience. I think it's important that design is accessible to everyone. Many classics are priceless for the average man.

My wife's support is very important. I often ask her opinion during the design process. She has an architecture and photography background that is valuable. My teachers were also important, apparently they quickly recognized my talent as a designer. But friends who are in the same industry or in the art world and are critical also help to discover new possibilities.