Interview with Karsten Thormaehlen
Designer Interview
20 October 2018
As a young boy I‘d liked to become an architect or a car designer. I always loved to „build“ things: cars, robots and houses with LEGO, later tree houses. And I loved painting until I discovered photography. I thought studying communication design would train me in most of the skills for my future life.
I run a photo studio in Frankfurt / Germany. Offering a few disciplines like architecture, event, corporate, stillife photography and professional rental of space and equipment.
To make art with a purpose
Conceptual photographic series, but I also like type, book and logo design
I designed quite a few Corporate Identities and brands. Some are still around.
When I‘m bored
Happiness
Happiness
There are mostly no rational reasons. You have to watch it‘s reception long term and you‘ve to separate monetary (sale numbers) and honorable success (awards etc.)
Estethic aspects, those are completely personal. Usability, sustainability and price.
Very important. Design always comes first to convince a customer. And there‘s no difference if we talk about package design or car design, low or high priced objects. Designers have to make sure of responsible use of materials from sustainable, legal and under proper, fair conditions produced conditions.
Still evolving! People become more sensitive for good design, see the Company history of Steve Jobb‘s Apple!
On Oct. 25, 2018 opens the exhibition GREY IS THE NEW PINK at the Weltkulturen Museum in Frankfurt. I‘m very happy to be with my work part of it.
I own more than 2,000 books about everything, I like to visit art exhibitions, art festivals and museums
Structuring my schedule and send myself reminders about the dead line.
It depends on the complexity of the „object“. You can‘t generalize this question. Some designs are in your head for decades before you decide to „give birth“, others take just minutes if you i.e. create logos or posters published in the web.
“How did you get this idea?”
Always have a plan „B“, accepting that there‘s always a big portion of luck. When the design process is finished you you share more and more control. Until you give up control completely when it comes to selling your „product“.
Samsung, Zwiesel, Messe Frankfurt, A. Lange & Söhne, Bosch etc.
When I started commercial photography I liked stillife photography: food-, cosmetics-, accessoires-, glass- and tableware photography. Lately I like to work with “real” people, bring out their best.
Continuing doing what I’m doing.
It depends on working on assignments where I’m supplied with layouts and I’ve just to figure out how to find subjects or decide on the light and perspective. Or if a client just gives me a theme or a product and leaves it up to me how to visualize. The last option is if everything comes out of my brain: the theme, the idea, the concept and visualization.
All my projects are long term, never really finished.
Via my website www.karstenthormaehlen.com and / or email kt@karstenthormaehlen.com