We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Stephan Seifert about their original and creative Stool design work. Stephan Seifert is an award-winning industrial designer, that makes our world a better place with their original stool works.
Stephan Seifert ("SS") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Echape Stool. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
SS : During the intitial investigation we saw in one of the gestures the leg of dancer. We decided to work with this as it gave a large volume of gestural aesthetic lines for what usually is quite a static object.
SS : The main focus was to find a visual language that would allow the Thelos design language to shine through. Thelos prides itself in sculptural pieces that show of the furniture making craft, whilst remaining highly functional and beautiful pieces.
SS : The future plans would be to develop some companion pieces, such as high table for the high stool, that will enhance the sculptural qualities of the stools.
SS : Between the design concept and final manufacturing files, there would hve been 3-4 month time frame.
SS : Thelos gave us a very open brief. We were asked to design a stool using the Thelos design language. During the initial exploration we decided to develop the idea of dance that we had discovered during sketching. This gave us a strong sculptural, aestetic and rich cultural language to draw upon during the development of the concept. It also allowed us to introduce sinous scultural lines into what is generally cold and impersonal designs.
SS : The design is currently produced by the company Thelos based in Barcelona
SS : Thelos's design philosophy allowed me to explore personality, sculptural and expressive lines, that allows a design object to get some personality. In designing echape we were not focused on follwoing any trends. We wanted to infuse some personality into the design.
SS : Of course. My design influences come from many varied fields, from the architecture of Gaudi of my adopted home here in Barcelona, but also from the Nordic Design traditions as well as meaning imbued design of Maori carving.
SS : Designed for bar and lounge areas of hotels, resorts and private residences, the Echape family of stools invites interaction, conversation. It's design conveys the freedom, energy and spark that should be present in these spaces.
SS : I think this design has a well defined personality. I think in recent years design has become very politically correct, ending up with designs that in some ways lack personality. We have stoped making manifiestos and statements with our designs.
SS : Echape is both a position in ballet, and also means escape in French. Since stools are usually in bars and lounges, places where we "escape" the stresses of daily life it seemed like a good conotation.
SS : The usual design process of investigation, sketching, 3D modelling and physical modelling were used to design and refine the stools.
SS : I think the most unique aspect of design is the story of the design in junction with traditional craft, sculptural shape and high technology.
SS : I collaborated closely with the Thelos technical team to ensure the technical feasability of the design.
SS : Both 3D design software and CNC 5 axis milling is being used to help manufcture the design. As usual with furniture it will still be finished with traditional craft skills, in this case with the added vlue of it being completely ecological glues and sustainable wood used in the production.
SS : The design was more influenced by the need to create a unique vision of a new design than by data driven research.
SS : I enjoyed learning more about working with wood, especially solid ecologically grown woods as are being used by Thelos.
SS : Thelos decided to submit my design to the competition, for which I am very grateful! :)
SS : It was great to be allowed to fully explore a creative vision in such a scultural way. Also I enjoyed resolving the technical and constructive issues that resulted from pushing wood to it's limits.
SS : I'd also like to thank my partner Júlia, whose continuing passion for ballet had a strong influence on both the research and who chose the final name.
