We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Ridzert Ingenegeren about their original and creative Folding Knife design work. Ridzert Ingenegeren is an award-winning industrial designer, that makes our world a better place with their original folding knife works.
Ridzert Ingenegeren ("RI") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work K29 Folding Knife. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
RI : The idea was to design a knife that would fit the outdoor brand Bergkvist. At the same time, it had to be a unique addition to the collection of the brand.
RI : The focus was to develop a unique folding knife with a striking design that could be protected by a design patent.
RI : My client has been selling the folding knife for a few years now and the plan is for this to continue in the future.
RI : The design process took a few months, which was followed by a couple of months for prototyping and discussing with the manufacturer.
RI : The design was commissioned by the Bergkvist brand. A folding knife was on my list of products that I definitely wanted to design at least once, so it did fit my personal goals as a designer as well.
RI : The production of the product is handled by my client in collaboration with a manufacturer.
RI : I searched for a combination of logical functionality and novelty. I included specific aspects for ergonomics. The materials realize an interesting contrast. The wooden handle pieces have a large impact on the design and make it nice to hold.
RI : The existing Bergkvist knives were an important inspiration, but I made sure to come up with something new and useful for the brand.
RI : Adventurers, lovers of the outdoors, but also people who love to buy it as a present for someone else.
RI : The form language and materials set the design apart.
RI : The name K29 came up as a natural extension of the name of the knives that the brand already had. The designation communicates that it is the next one hand knife after K19.
RI : Software packages for both 2D and 3D models of the knife, as well as an ergonomic database.
RI : The balance between curved and angular lines and the way the wooden handle pieces are combined with the steel parts of the handle.
RI : For finalizing technical details, I collaborated with the manufacturer of my client.
RI : As with all mass produced items, technology has a distinct role. I had to take limits of effective production into account. What is possible in mass production is dictated by the machines that are used, and they all have their specific limits.
RI : Ergonomic data influenced the handle design. Apart from this, my client gathered user feedback during the design phase that helped us with decision making.
RI : One of the challenges was to find the right screws to use in this knife. There were a few requirements for them: they should not only be used in this knife, but they would be integrated in the rest of the knife collection too, they had to be widely available, and easy to remove and attach.
RI : The collaboration with my client was pleasant and since the knife is a successful product on the market, I thought it might as well be a good candidate for an award.
RI : During the design of this work, I learned that details might take time to work out, but that it’s worth it to pursue perfection.
RI : Yes, if you’d like to develop your own product as well, have a look at www.ridzert.com
