Designer Interview
11 questions
IONDESIGN was founded in 1993 by Anja Götz and Christoph Fleckenstein. Today, IONDESIGN Berlin consists out of 9 team members with different backgrounds such as product design, industrial design, web and graphic design…
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
IONDESIGN was founded in 1993 by Anja Götz and Christoph Fleckenstein. Today, IONDESIGN Berlin consists out of 9 team members with different backgrounds such as product design, industrial design, web and graphic design, architecture, PR and fine arts.
What is "design" for you?
We always think in a three dimensional perspective. For us, there are no borders between different design disciplines such as architecture, packaging design, public design, graphic design, interior design. For us, "design" means to find all-embracing solutions.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
Anything that improves given circumstances and that is used by a big amount of people.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
The most important part is the function – usually that’s what we start with. The shape or outer appearance follows the function in order to provide the best possible solution for the user.
What makes a design successful?
IONDESIGN aims at the utility of the product and not the formalistic style. A successful design is long lasting and does not imitate the latest trend on the market.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Design can and should be an improvement for the context it is situated in. Design bears responsibility and we are well aware of this. In every project there are different framework conditions. An office design can improve the working conditions for the employees. When designing a workplace it is crucial to focus on the employees’ health, their motivation and productivity. In public space, the parameters are different. The public toilet we designed for Berlin’s Alexanderplatz for example needs to be hygienic, safe and barrier free. There is never one universal solution that fits anywhere. The responsibility of a designer is to take into consideration the specific conditions that form the design brief.
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?
IONDESIGN aims at the utility of the product or space - not the formalistic style. Every design task is different and therefore the solutions differ as well. Our goal is to design for today and tomorrow, this requires timelessness and high quality. This objective can be found in every detail of the SmartDigital Office. The flexible floor plan of the space offers the possibility to adapt the office to changes in the future. For example the desk area can be extended with additional tables and seating, without having to adapt the light fixtures. In every project it is crucial for us to come up with the ideal solution for the people who use the space or the object.
How do you work with companies?
We meet at eye level. It is important that our clients respect and trust us and the same is valid the other way around. Usually it starts with a problem which we are asked to solve. When getting to know our client better, we can see more clearly what we can do to address the company’s issues or to open up unexpected perspectives. We establish long-lasting relationships with our clients, which proves the success of our way of collaborating.
Who are some of your clients?
Our clients include Alessi, Audi, Axel Springer, Kraft Foods, MTV, Vattenfall, Wall AG and many others.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
We design as a team. Everyone of us is good at something else – that’s the great thing about this kind of team work. It’s obvious: one person has less knowledge than nine.
How can people contact you?
Through our website www.iondesign.de
