Interviews with Joakim Rydén

I have always liked creating my own designs, so being in a creative field was always a plan of mine. Back in school, I thought I would become an architect. I did study architecture, but my interest in lighting really grew through sketching light and shadows. The constant contrast between light and dark was what pulled me towards the field of lighting.

I would love to design, produce, and sell my own designs. However, I am currently focused on designing only, so that is something I would like to do in the future.

Designing for a purpose. It may be a small purpose, but having something to fulfill or solve makes the design process flow better for me.

Just like with design, I think it should be presented in your own way. Show your personality through every part of your work.

The design of our environment is very important for our well-being. For example, the design of public spaces, living spaces, educational institutions, workplaces, kindergartens, and hospitals. Good design helps improve the function of all these places.

I have always liked creating my own designs. So being in a creative field was always a plan of mine. Back in school, I thought I would become an architect. I did study architecture, but my interest in lighting really grew through sketching light and shadows. The constant contrast between light and dark was what pulled me towards the field of lighting.

Except for the obvious answer, which is luminaires, I love designing with traditional materials in focus. In my design, Shwood wood is the material in focus. In other designs, the beauty of glass is in focus.

No one has missed the evolution of AI and its impact on the design field. Although being a very interesting technology that is only in its beginning, I believe that there will always be room for all types of designs. There will always be something interesting and unique for every type of design technique.

I am inspired by various places and situations, but I love to seek inspiration in the little things, like something small that really stands out to me. Something like that can stick in my mind, and I can draw inspiration from it for a long time. It can be a meeting between two materials or a specific angle of a shape.

Design with a purpose.

For me, being open-minded is the most important and not being afraid of trying new ways of designing and new ways of thinking about design.

Since I discovered my passion for lighting through sketching, that technique will always be a favorite of mine. It is also starting to be a little nostalgic for me to sit down with a blank paper and a pencil. So I tend to always start by sketching and then move on to digital formats.

Ryden.Studio on Instagram