I was looking for a shape that could serve as the foundation for a comfortable seat and back and discovered it in a skateboard.
01What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
I was looking for a shape that could serve as the foundation for a comfortable seat and back and discovered it in a skateboard.
02What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
Best comfort in combination with a minimalistic, original design.
03What are your future plans for this award winning design?
Hopefully It can become an icon.
04How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
More than a year from the assignment to market.
05Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
It was commissioned.
06Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
Jati & Kebon Furniture manufactures the Skate collection.
07What made you design this particular type of work?
It was a commission.
08Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
A design is always a continuation of what already exists.
09Who is the target customer for his design?
Residential and contract customers.
10What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
Nice detailing and a great comfort.
11How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
Skate is derived from skateboard, which was the primary source of inspiration.
12Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
3D drawing and render software
13What is the most unique aspect of your design?
The shape
14Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
I collaborated with the weaving craftsmen. They deliver a great job in the weaving.
15What is the role of technology in this particular design?
Not that much.
16What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
Making the frame minimalistic but strong.
17How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
Jati & Kebon Furniture proposed and submitted the design.
18What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
Skate Teak is a sibling collection to the Skate Alu collection. I learned a lot about wooden connections while working on the teak wood chair.
បទសម្ភាសន៍អ្នករចនា
37 សំណួរ
As a kid, I loved to build camps and toys. I was also constantly redesigning my bedroom, so probably it has always been a main interest. Currently I’m specialized in designing chairs for industrial production.
01Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
As a kid, I loved to build camps and toys. I was also constantly redesigning my bedroom, so probably it has always been a main interest. Currently I’m specialized in designing chairs for industrial production.
02Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
Mathias De Ferm is a small studio of two persons. Inhouse we do all the design on computer. Prototypes are made by specialists in the right technique. Their input during the prototyping phase is essential.
03What is "design" for you?
It means drawn. A word that is often used in the wrong context.
04What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
Thonet No. 14, achair made with a new (at the time) technique, unique, and industrially produced. Durable and made in large quantities from locally sourced wood. Even by today's standards, this is a very environmentally friendly design.
05What was the first thing you designed for a company?
A concrete barbecue
06What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
Mathias is passionate about old-school production techniques like milling and cutting. New techniques like 3D printing are also very intriguing.
07When do you feel the most creative?
When I just finished a great new concept.
08Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
Technical feasibility
09What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
All kinds of feelings; ecstasy, excitement, but also frustration and exhaustion...
10What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
Pride, insecurity, and an overabundance of information about all the compromises that had to be made.
11What makes a design successful?
Original, functional, beautiful, long-lasting, and good sales figures.
12When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
The looks
13From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Making long-lasting, functional products.
14How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
Globalisation, more international, more custom made
15When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
Prior to the corona pandemic, I didn't do exhibitions; my clients mostly do the exhibitions.
16Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
Nature, art, antique, technique
17How 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?
Form follows function. Contemporary and designed to last.
18Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium. We do have a big scene of great interior architects and a Flemish interior style. We have also a lot of outdoor furniture companies. The biggest disadvantage is that it is a small country. So the local client base is quite limited.
19How do you work with companies?
As close as possible. I like to give my opinion about all the details.
20What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
A portfolio is essential. I believe it is a good criterion to see if a designer works for the same clients on a regular basis. This means that other businesses like and respect this designer.
21Can you talk a little about your design process?
There are two types of projects: client assignments and free work. Free work always begins with a brilliant idea that, after a day, appears to be quite stupid. The next step is to see if it is as unique as I believe. Then I start developing it as a concept.
22What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
- Kitchen knife, Japanese – custom made
- Homemade cutting board
- Custom 4 meter long table
- Ribag lighting
- Prototypes and first series of tables and chairs
23Can you describe a day in your life?
- Bringing kids to school by bike
- Work
- Running tour
- Eat
- Work
- Cook
- Kid time
- Clean up kitchen and preparing the next day
24Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Don’t overinvest in prototyping tools. I see a lot of young people end-up as a carpenter, while their dream was becoming a designer. Build up a good relation with your clients. And, instead of focusing on the current big names, try to identify high-potential brands and grow with them.
25From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
- I can design what I would like to have in my house.
- I’m over focused on what is not good in products.
26What is your "golden rule" in design?
If it’s easy, it already exists, you have to suffer and enjoy it.
27What skills are most important for a designer?
Being an all-rounder, a designer does not only designs.
28Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
Solidworks, Corona rendering, 3D printing
29Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
Put things into perspective, you don’t need to design 10 new chairs per year. Accept that it will be a slow process.
30How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
1 year up to many
31What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
I'd like something similar to what my competitor has. (Something I never make.)
32What was your most important job experience?
Having a booth at the interior fair in Kortrijk, Belgium at the beginning of my career.
33Who are some of your clients?
Jati & Kebon Furniture, Joli, Röshults, Royal Botania, MiaCara
34What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
Techniques and mechanics in design.
35What are your future plans? What is next for you?
Becoming more international, reaching a more global audience.
36Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
A' Design Award គឺជាពានរង្វាន់រចនាល្អអន្តរជាតិដែលវាយតម្លៃដោយគណៈកម្មការ។ ចូលរួមក្នុង A' Design Award ដើម្បីទទួលបានឱកាសក្នុងការទទួលស្គាល់ដោយគុណសម្បត្តិ ទទួលបានកិត្តិនាម កិត្តិយស និងការផ្សព្វផ្សាយសម្រាប់ការងាររបស់អ្នក។ ដាក់ស្នាដៃរបស់អ្នកសម្រាប់ A' Design Award ហើយប្រកួតប្រជែងដើម្បីឈ្នះ A' Design Prize ដ៏គោរពរាប់អាន។
