Interviews with Andres Luer Solorza

During my degree in Florence I had my first collaborations which then became actual contracts and defined the moment I entered the business of being a Designer. Some parts of being a Designer are learned in university but some others are learned on the way and take years to fully engage. I remember working for a Yacht company in Italy that had the toughest delivery schedules and budgets, that was the moment I understood that there was more than just coming out with brilliant ideas, they needed to be grounded and work in a business environment.

I started my journey as a creator, as the term itself describes, Manu-facture was my main interest. At an early age I got involved in woodworking which later on expanded to all the disciplines required to become a Designer. I learned the process and steps required to translate an idea into a market product, work with deadlines and search for solutions that were cost effective and impactful and more importantly deal with teams. One thing was to build by myself, another very different is to have more people involved.

Every time I start a new project I spend a great deal of time researching, I want to know if there is something like this on the market, what are the current solutions and which are the latest technologies to achieve that. From that onwards the process is fairly straightforward. In-house development has a different pace in comparison with client's requests so it's at that point where I integrate the business model I've learned from working with larger companies. Having the possibility of making, modeling, real life prototypes in-house is a great advantage, I can get immediate feedback about ergonomics, sizes and materials performances, often accompanied by a 3D modeling on Rhinoceros. When it comes to rendering, I want full control on textures and graphics, so I always create renders myself using Photoshop.

I compare the emotion of the design process as the curve of parenthood. It starts with the excitement of getting to know someone new, then it moves to a full time dedication to reach its peak as you see the object. Next is the time of growth and maturity and finally letting the grown and finished product enter the market and have a life on its own, while I'm proud of it. Positive response from final users or clients is what fuels me to continue and gain confidence for the next upcoming task.

The ability to look with an open mind to what exceptional minds have done and grasp from there the right hints to come up with new ideas, is what has made my creative process successful. Maybe it is true that everything has been designed but it's about how to bring it to the context where new solutions are found, therefore the constant cycle of innovation keeps running.

Opening a second business in a new country has meant learning all about this new market, a lot of information has to be digested which translate in personal and business growth. The US market is one of the best and most competitive, building my presence here represents my biggest goal. The future looks fantastic, I'm gonna add to my current catalog a few more pieces, expand my collection and establish my name engaging into new collaborations.

Be curious and hungry of learning, the world today goes so fast that in order to leave your mark you must carry with you an important luggage of knowledge.

A great painter we all know once said "good artist copy, great artists steal". If you are humble enough to look at someone's work and be taken by it, you could then come out with the right clue to create something exceptional.

Self esteem is crucial. Learning how to present your ideas will put you in front of the right people and places. This is probably one of the most difficult talents you need to master. Be careful not to confuse it with arrogance. Design is also about collaboration, knowing how to deal with people will help you to delegate and create an environment where ideas flow.

I have understood that time is finite, yes let me repeat this, time IS finite. We go through life thinking that there will always be a tomorrow from which we borrow. I have a routine that works wonders. It's been a few years now that my alarm goes off at 6:45. Waking up early is by far the best way to trick time. Morning chores like emails and calls take around 30 to 45 minutes max. I delegate most of these tasks. The rest of the morning is for exercise and conceptualization, meaning all the mental and physical activity that goes into the landing of an idea, such as sketch, drawings, research, 3D modeling. Lunch is at 12 sharp, btw it's my first meal, since I practice intermittent fasting seriously. Then the rest of the day goes all at the studio where i Manu-Facture prototypes, models and final products.

I have no problem immersing myself into extended research, for me it's crucial to gauge what's out there, what's new and where there is room for improvement. Today's trends are transitory, they play no role in the big scheme of things. The big trends that have defined the world as we know it, have already been created and are those I take clues from.

There is a saying " if my grandma can't understand the function, you have to get back to the chalkboard" A great product is about that, it brings a positive experience to the user. This could come in hundreds of different shapes and complexities. One great example is Dyson products. It tackles a simple task, such as cleaning the floor. This is the tricky part, and the equation goes like this: thanks to the advanced system behind their products, cleaning the floor becomes a simple task for the user. In other cases the user's experience is enhanced not by technology or cutting edge systems, rather something intangible like art. The best example I can think of is Stark's juicer, what makes the user experience unforgettable is the poetry not the fact that you can get more juice from the orange.

A product is ready for the time and place it has been conceived only, but the ever evolving cycle never ends. The train is hundred years old and has never stopped evolving, it was once ready when the engineers successfully harnessed the steam power, at that specific period of time, then again was ready when the electricity was introduced and ready again when it was introduced with magnets

By far the biggest work is the one you have to fund yourself. It implicates risks and dynamics that if overcome, pay off in multiple levels of your life. Suspending an income or stream of money to dedicate your time to your own project development is risky but rewarding. The good thing is that even failure during this exercise can teach you a lot. Orbita, which is my first lighting product, took me two and a half years of work, I derived everything into it and its success took me to a place I was just dreaming years ago.

It may sound like a cliché but to me Stark became the epitome of design. He was able to add art, poetry and challenge function like no one else. It had his period of influence on the whole spectrum of design and at a certain point he understood that his work wasn't tackling the issues our time was facing and with a remarkable speech acknowledged that design today needed something else. This is profound.

There is a valid concept that says you are what you eat, but there is an even more profound one which is, you express what you have lived. Richard Florida in his book Who's your city explains the deep connection between who you are and where you live, people surroundings and experiences are all subject to the environment in which you move. I have the opportunity to live in Italy for many years which accounts for the most part the success I have as a designer. I wouldn't be able to imagine and conceive ideas without it. At first, travels can leave only a few pictures worth remembering but if you let yourself be permeated by different cultures they will start building up on you a foundation that works as an endless source of inspiration.

I have two teams spread across two different continents, that makes me a 24h worker, when I'm sleeping they are working and vice versa. I can't imagine working locally based nowadays, globalization is not only having buyers from all over the world, rather finding the work force that keeps the ball rolling while we are asleep.

Recognizing the value of cultures is crucial. During these recent years I have started three join ventures with craftsmen/ artisan to develop products from which both parties benefit. The input of ancestral knowledge combined with today's advances in technology merge bringing to the market the ultimate craft.

we can all claim we are something, but it is the recognition of the masses that ultimately determine the success of your career. Art is by far the most volatile status of all. Who is an artist? ADesign is the best platform to expose your talent, in my case having won twice I can confidently gauge the benefits and the influence that had on me. The best part is the network that ADesign has set in place, a web like no other where all sorts of ideas and people can connect.

Interaction is Orbita's key element of innovation. A combination of highly skillful artisans with todays technology. Interaction translated as the gesture of the user splitting the domes to create light. from a single ball to two rotating hemispheres, perfectly balanced on a pivotal mechanism that allows a 360 degrees rotation and 4 different light settings.

Does the interaction with a lighting fixture makes the lamp more interesting or appealing to potential customers? From what I saw it does. This was the starting point of my design. At first I focus on which movement or gesture could be instinctive enough to lead the user to light up the lamp. The splitting of an sphere fit the requirement, intrinsically we know that the splitting of atoms create light, which by splitting the sphere resemble such fact. Next was to design the mechanical and electrical components that would allow such movements.

Develop the rest of the line under Orbita concept, 4 more lighting fixtures that explore in the same way the user's interaction with the light.

Two years end a half were required to finalize the design. The fact that Orbita is an on the go project I needed to design every part, not knowing how a part should be, I couldn't ask a supplier to make it, only after I was certain that it will work, I could start ordering the final pieces. Was a great challenge to test my knowledge on electric circuits, mechanical lathe and wood working.

Inspiration. By looking at what has been done in this particular field, lighting design, I saw room for experimentation, where advance tech and natural materials meet. I have developed a strong interest on natural fivers and their potential.

As of now I'm manufacturing the lamp myself. Outsource part of it will be the next step since orders have started to ramp up and customers satisfaction is at the core of any successful company.

I have been always involve in wood working and mechanics, it came natural the integration of both to an idea I had.

The are great inputs from craftsmen from Chile who showed me the workability and nature of the wicker natural fivers I wanted to use. By spending time with them I couldn't stop thinking on all the lamps i could make.

The customer that wants to be amazed and enjoy fine craftsmanship.

Simply the fact that is unique. It fits into a segment where there nothing yet.

Orbita as you may guess means orbit, like our mon around the Earth or Saturn's satellites. In homage to my roots I kept the word in Spanish.

Every step on the way had it's tool. Pen and paper for the first designs, Rhinoceros for the 3D modeling, Saw and router for the woodworking parts and metal lathe for the mechanical parts.

the gesture required to light the lamp up.

Craftsmen for the creation of the wicker lampshade, engineers for the electrical circuits.

Without technology this design wouldn't be possible. The whole lighting system that allows rotation and 4 light settings is the result of today advances in LED and connectors.

The research I conducted showed several data, some of them made me understand how fivers could be better used and on the other hand the user's tendency for products that have a certain degree of interaction.

By far the most complicated part was the design of the electrical components. The light source required to be replaceable and easy to plug, intuitive like a bulb. This plugging system required then to be connected to the rotational circuit and be compact enough to fit in the 12mm core.

I have won ADesign Award in the past and I always wanted to win again. After I stepped aside from Interior Design it came natural to participate going back to Industrial Design.

The most important learning is the one I'm going through now, how to run a manufacturing line where there is people from different sectors involved. Suppliers, accountants, certificates, codes, agents and so on.

As a summary I want to say that the experience of seeing an idea become real is the fuel that propel all of us creative, is this what push entire societies forward and in every aspect, from music to arts to literature to design.

I come from a family of artists therefore museum and decoration were recurrent while growing up. After school I knew exactly what to study, Industrial design. Having learned at early age the basics of woodworking an electricity circuits Industrial design was more like a continuation for me. I started my university in Santiago and after 2 years I felt the need to migrate to a greater place, was there that I arrive in Italy and continue my studies in Florence. To pay for my tuition I worked as an apprentice for two extraordinary furniture makers from which I've learned a lot. After graduation I started collaborating with studios in Florence until my migration guts started telling me to leave again. China was the next stop and a new era of Interior Design opened up. Shanghai and Beijing were at that point the best places to be, vibrating cities with and a endless apetite for design. Eight years of top residential and commercial projects were the experience it was missing to complement with my crafty side. In 2019 in Seattle which is where I'm based now, I opened my own workshop, giving birth to the first ever products under my name.

It's something internal, stronger than myself. At this point of my life I can't help but deal with this natural burst of ideas that gather in my head every day and let me tell you, beside feeling great it makes you feel alive. I think is the feeling every creative mind shares, no matter is what you makes is tangible, a sound or poetry, the pure fact of conceiving something is unparalleled.

This is funny, well anyone who was forced to be a designer, probably have had little resistance after have figured out how fun it is!

I want to spend more time researching, in the past few years my interest for lighting fixtures has grown, I see great potential on using fivers on them, not just as a lampshade. I'm working on some products that highlight their qualities along with some cutting edge technology.

there is one particular thing that I believe is foundational, is the size of the creative compartment in your brain. It can be fed only by experience, travel, knowing people, reading, watching, the more you do, the bigger the database from which solution and new ideas are gonna come.

Those are labels the public will give you. Some clients are gonna think you are great, some reviews or critics are gonna think you are average. Now, to be the best, you have to commit and show up with products that make sense, and is it here were only best ones are.

First and foremost, any design that stood the test of time is great, by definition. Todays society forgets at a pace that is almost rude. By the time is was writing this there was a war going on in Europe, today, after 4 weeks of conflicts there were no news. So, if your design is great, your grandchildren's are gonna know.

Good design can only be executed by the best, simply because we have that knowledge from which every time come up with something that makes sense. Well all that knowledge was an investment, an investment that have a price tag. So only serious committed enterprises, companies, governments and people understand this value and they pay for it.

The time factor I would leave it aside, does not apply here, since if I could design to the people I admire the most, I would dedicate all my time. In regards of to whom design for, well there would be nothing more challenging than design for today greatest minds, not new reach kind of people, but best in their field with great understanding about life. Richard Branson, Elon Musk, George Harrison, Mik Jagger to name a few.

An affordable fully modular tiny house.

Accumulate as much knowledge and experiences as I can, so then you can perform the rabbit from the hat trick flawlessly.

The visionary Henry. Dreyfuss, here we have a man ahead of his time. John Lautner with his daring concrete houses, perfect source of inspiration. Alphonse Mucha and his timeless decors. Charles Eames, Raymond Loewy among others.

The iconic juicer from Philip Stark remain the best exercise of forced design adopted by the public.

I reckon two, one is an Interior. What makes it great is the level of satisfaction from the owner, the perfect execution from the contractor and the sense of completion I had. The second one is a product. Orbita lamp which brings something new to a pretty crowded field as the lighting business.

Being born from two artists, creativity and design build up early in life. At age four I started my first portraits and perspective drawings without knowing what it was, soon after my passion for building RC controllers took over. Many instances like trips to the museum and books propelled my imagination, I vividly remember watching a documentary about H. Dreyfuss, what an amazing visionary mind. That I would say was my eureka moment. After that it came clear to me that imagining solution to real problems wit high focus on functionality and beauty was the lifepath I wanted to pursue.

Atelierluer is a laboratory, where 20 years of experience collide. In it every aspect of the design process takes place, every sketch gives shape to a drawing, every drawing to a model, every model to and object, every object to a product, every product makes a client happy. Before stablishing Atelierluer I collaborated with brands and studios in Italy and China creating a network of suppliers, contractors and dealers from which I've learned the essence of the business, crucial knowledge to add to my creative vision. My clients range from high-end developers to furniture brands, private residences and collectors.

Design is the key some of us has, a key to open a third dimension where new ideas and solutions for al sort of problems are. I'm not talking only about ideas for objects, rather anything related to the mental process of conceiving something. Take for example a composer, it takes from that dimension the right notes, the right chart the right scale and creates a new song, hence he has designed. A DJ same thing, a writer same thing, even an accountant does it, it designs the best tax service for you! in my case I take hints to create objects, brand new with high aesthetics values or problem solving.

There are two kinds of works that I like the most. Those that are the result of an inhouse design process, that require a medium long term study for a long term impact, such as products for specific needs and those far fasters and dynamic like interior design, in which a hint from a client's taste is translated into every single aspect of their homes, from the paint on the wall to the rug in their closet to the sconce in their porch.

I don't have favorites designs, rather I have a huge respect for all those designs that have stood the pass of time. Art Nouveau for example, after two hundreds years we are still in awe when we see it and the way it touched every aspect of society. Art Deco? outstanding, so much information there, BAUHAUS no need introduction, is probably the creative exercise that changed the industry.

Trends that come and go have zero resonance on me.

Melamine dishes, it was a great experience. On the first meeting the owner quoted "in this field almost everything has been designed, nevertheless I expect from you something new". Tough beginning but in a matter of two months I came out with two collections that marked the beginning of a long and successful collaboration.

I believe nothing can be compared to Wood. Strong yet vulnerable, solid yet unstable. wood is one of those materials to which you need to adapt to. Every specie hold different properties, each with intrinsic characteristics that work only in certain environments. Wood leave no room to improvisations, its like a friend, whom you have to treat well.

After so many years in the field of design, creativity doesn't have an exact window or place in time from which shows up. I have reached the point in which I don't have to think about it, it's wander around mi mind always and when I need the right idea, it shows up.

On removing, chiseling the idea until makes complete sense and when it gets there, I keep Removing. I'm obsessed with the idea that design can always be improved until it becomes a piece of art.

I think like in any other activity in which you crate something, the emotions is reward. Reward of being appreciate by your client, reward by being successful, reward by have solved and addressed the issue that it was created for.

It is fantastic to see an idea mature to become real, how does impact the field which it was conceived for and the influence that could have on people and in some cases on society.

Depends of the context. it could be as simple as have a client satisfied. It could be when it solves a problem bringing value to a community and the most memorable case in which becomes timeless, an starting point for new ideas.

How the complexity of an idea is brought to simplicity. An idea on its early stage requires so much chiseling and laborious thoughts that by the time it materialized all what needs to be left, must make sense, in other words harmony.

We designers influence different aspects of society. The constant evolution in taste, trends, styles, technologies and industries are all trigger by an idea that brings a surplus, this surplus bring better results to a determine sector from which people can benefit, by doing so, elevates people condition, which translate in a improvement in their community, which translate in awareness of our surroundings thus the interest on protecting the environment.

The design field will see a radical cross road ahead, on one branch there will be race for highly technological advances, as well as AI to create the solution for the future challenges, primarily focused on environment and the other branch will pursue the intrinsic value that makes us humans, satisfy the inner desire for beauty and status, which will be led by a whole new wave of influences.

It took place in 2013 in Beijing, China. Probably one of the most memorable collaborations I've done in my career. In occasion of Beijing Design Week, Yin & Yang was the title. It talked about the morphosis of a style influence by time and place. Savio's furniture were turned into what it could be it's clone in 200 hundred years time. The next one will be in Milan, at the Salone satellite that is held in Milan downtown. It will show the lighting collection I'm developing during these years.

It is the constant flow of visual information that I'm exposed to that inspire me. Most of the time are clues found on opposite elements. Many times times I've found the perfect idea for a product by looking to building's details, while the perfect hint for an interior came from looking a painting or a movie.

My style is the conversion of past and present. From the past I steal from the masters, those who have given form to every style we see today, from the extreme detailed architecture of Lloyd Wright to the boldness of Lautner to the pop and irreverence of Stark. There is no design that doesn't have a substantial content of it. All that I mix it with my own experience in crafts and interpretation of beauty.

As I mentioned before, I think creativity is the result of the exposure to the elements and people. I have the opportunity to live for a decade in Italy, mostly in Florence, which opened the doors of perception and the realization that everything is the continuation of something else and most important, of someone else. The exposure to such masters is vital.

Every time I start a collaboration with a company, I leave aside the romanticism of design and I implement a more structured mindset, in this way I build the solid and robust foundation that incorporates every technical request. When the process has arrived at a certain stage I shift to the former strategy and bring in unique, innovative, bizarre solutions forming the perfect medium for the last step, and the most exiting process for me, the sculpturing process, where the chiseling of the exes takes place and fine detailing start to emerge.

Today it’s simple, you no longer need a resume o even a curriculum, the designer you need is visible in his totality, the best way to gage his talent is to check his platform. For instance, if the designer has been posting for years and has thousand of followers it means only one thing, he is committed, every post, every content is the demonstration of a mastery, a dedication to what he know what to do best, in a few words there is a consistency there that can bring value to a company.

It takes different courses, depending of the subject. Sometimes its a simple spark that becomes the main project I dedicate myself to, a solution/improvement to something that already exist, something new, study what's already been done, preliminary sketches, 3D modeling, suppliers research, promotion. If there is a client, getting to know them is vital, in case of a company I apply the corporate rules.

Lamps - Stairs - Chairs - Doors - Fireplaces

Sunday has been for a long time my favorite day, for me is a day with zero expectations, where all the rush of the weekend is gone and the cream of the people is outside, those that no need to respond to upcoming Monday stress. Monday morning gym, brunch, park/outdoor, evening live music. all venues and activities that fuel my mind and creativity.

Start Early!! be hungry of learning and most importantly find a mentor. I can't stress enough the importance of learn from others mistake and gain knowledge from someone who has already been there and went thought the same process. lastly but not last, you must achieve a level of mastery on one aspect of what you do, just pick one and be it's prophet.

Who ever is in a constant state of thinking, creating, imagining is alive, and feeling alive is the best that could happen to a human being. whether a cook, a writer, scientist or photographer, come up with new ideas and make the world a better place can only have positive sides.

Think twice

Observation

The most important thing for me is to be able to materialize, fast, a prototype, therefore a few pieces of wood, cardboard, some plastics, marble and metal are a must have, I implement that with tools and I'm ready to go. Along that Rhino 3D modeling is my to go software.

I have a routine set in place which works wonders. All began thou by an early alarm. I dedicate the morning to the process I call desk related tasks, like using softwares, checking email, sketching and drinking my coffee. I dedicate the afternoon to the more energy taken processes, which I call woodshop. That is all about making, sculpturing, sawing milling and hammering. The evening is dedicated to stilling from the great masters, info in, garbage out.

All depends of the circumstances. Under a contract, the agreement will determine the time and deliveries, since there is a client whos controlling the budget. In case of an in-house project, things are organic let's say. I enjoy brainstorming with my colleagues, I feel like is the process in which we should dedicate the most time, no constrains since whatever will come out from it will pave the road for the next steps. By getting this part right an idea can materialize in 2/3 weeks

How would you imagine this...?

Without a doubt was a job in which I needed to deal with a team of 50+ people. From land owners to lawyers, architects and contractors. 50.000sqm of commercial development in a foreigner language. It remained in my mind because it taught me how to handle and communicate in a way that the job could be completed fast and perfectly executed.

Furniture companies - Residential developers - Private customers

By far working with wood is the most enjoyable work. Wood is knowledge, is challenging, it requires the best of you, the process of imagining something and being able to bringing to life using your hands is priceless.

Explore the possibilities and interaction between natural fibers & technology. Orbita, which is my latest lamp does that. I want to continue developing high-tech products with an emphasis on craft and natural material. Next are two more pieces that add to the lamp collection and a collaboration with an Italian company for the development of a Bedroom furniture line.

Explore the possibilities and interaction between natural fibers & technology. Orbita, which is my latest lamp does that. I want to continue developing high-tech products with an emphasis on craft and natural material. Next are two more pieces that add to the lamp collection and a collaboration with an Italian company for the development of a Bedroom furniture line.

In terms of Interior Design I have accepted to do one more and it is probably the best stage in which apply 20 years of learning, it is 500sqm state in lake Washington Seattle. For the furniture collection, This year I'm coming out with 2 great collaborations. The first on see a Bedroom set for a local brand and a new furniture line for an Italian company. On the In-House projects, I'll continue with Orbita and two more lighting fixtures that are gonna explore natural fivers and tech with a high dose of user interaction.

@Atelier.luer and @Designlkpro on Instagram

www.atelierluer.com

andres@atelierluer.com

"Deviation to the norm is the pillar of progress" I love this quote and I think there is so much to learn from those whom have changed the world for batter, with their ideas.