Alexander Lervik

Press / 2008

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MD (Ryska)-Alexander Lervik

md · Portraits & interviews · 2 pages

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FURNITURE DESIGN | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 4/2008 | price 6 BGN / €6.00

PATRICIA URQUIOLA -

INSIDE-OUTSIDE / CHILL OUT IN STYLE UNSTUDIO

DESIGNED IN CHINA GREEN DESIGN

9 771312 646002

MICHAEL BIHAIN The design of the Belgian Michael Bihain is aimed at the liberated person. One who seeks new forms, greater functionality, and maximum simplicity. Bihain's furniture, jewelry, and accessories are an intersection between an individual lifestyle and collective memory.

MD: Your definition of design? MB: I do not have a definition, but everyone can have their own. MD: What are the greatest challenges that a contemporary designer must deal with? MB: Humanity. Does design have limits? Design has none, but designers do. What are the most important qualities that a product must possess in order to be successful? MB: Autonomy and honesty. I await the era of non-furniture.

ALEXANDER LERVIK The studio of Swedish designer Alexander Lervik creates furniture and non-traditional lighting fixtures, and carries out interior projects for restaurants, nightclubs, and boutiques in Scandinavia, Italy, Japan, China, and the USA. Works by Lervik have been presented at the National Museum of Sweden in Stockholm, the Norwegian National Museum in Oslo, and the Museum of Design and Decorative Arts in Gothenburg, Sweden.

MD: Your definition of design? AL: The meaning of the word design in America – engineers design an engine and work on every detail – from the idea to the finished product.

What are the greatest challenges that a contemporary designer must deal with? AL: Today the world is global, designers read the same magazines and have almost the same information. The result is that similar products are created. The challenge is to find new inspiration.

MD: Does design have limits? AL: Yes, of course.

MD: What are the most important qualities that a product must possess in order to be successful? AL: Commercial and at the same time unique. With good ergonomics.

MICHAEL BIHAIN

The design of Michaël Bihain, from Belgium is targeted at the liberated man. The one who is looking for new shapes, greater functionality and maximum simplicity. Bihain's jewellery and furniture are a point of intersection of individual life style and collective memory.

MICHAEL BIHAIN:

MD: How would you define design? MB: I do not have a definition, but everyone should have his own

MD: What are the greatest challenges contemporary designers have to cope with? MB: Humanism

MD: Can design have limitations? MB: Design has no limitations, designers have

MD: What are the most important characteristics of a product in order to be successful on the market? MB: Autonomy and honesty, but above all I am waiting for the "No-Furniture" time.

ALEXANDER LERVIK

Swedish designer Alexander Lervik's Studio creates furniture and non-conventional lighting fixtures, as well as restaurant, night club and boutique interior spaces in Scandinavia, Italy, Japan, China and USA. Works of his have been exhibited at the National Museum in Stockholm, Sweden, the National Museum in Oslo, Norway and Röhsska Museum of Design and Decorative Arts in Gothenburg, Sweden.

MD: How would you define design? AL: As the word is being used in America. The engineers design an engine. The complete work from idea to finished product.

MD: What are the greatest challenges contemporary designers have to cope with? AL: Today the world is global, designers read the same magazines and get mostly the same information. This leads to similar products being made. The challenge is to find new sources of inspiration.

MD: Can design have limitations? AL: Yes, of course.

MD: What are the most important characteristics of a product in order to be successful on the market? AL: Mainstream but still unique. Good ergonomics.

English translation of the original article. Text read from the scanned original; small transcription errors may occur.