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Interview with Enrique Kahle |
Home > Designer Interviews > Enrique Kahle |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Enrique Kahle (EK) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Enrique Kahle by clicking here.
FS: Could 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?
EK: I studied architecture at the University of Navarra and in my family we have a familiar creative background with my father who is an sculptor, my uncle and my sister Architects and other uncle painter. I guess all this influences address my discipline of architecture with a crossover character. After my studies in architecture, there was a big crisis and the job expectations were very low. I started to paint and modeling clay until the first assignments as an architect. The design came later when developing interior designs where ever since the beginning I designed simple items of equipment and furniture to solve specific problems of the project.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
EK: My main job is in the study of architecture where we develop work in interior design, corporate and residential buildings and urban planning. Dvelas is an activity that started as a diversion to reuse old sails but has ended up being a company that designs manufactures and markets furniture.
FS: What is "design" for you?
EK: Design is the discipline that tries to solve human problems through the use of shapes and materials.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
EK: I like to design buildings and spaces and adequately equip them to be beautiful and comfortable and therefore I like to intervene in the design of equipment.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
EK: I think I am very encouraged during and after a trip. Whenever I go out of my usual environment of life and work I have a strong incentive to design, but I also like to travel with the commissioning of a project or idea in my head. .
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
EK: There are many aspects I have in mind when designing such as the material, the place, the economy, the means available but perhaps "right thing" and "concept" are the two key aspects to be satisfied with a design.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
EK: During the design process I am very nervous and anxious, there are phases of disappointment, insecurity, anger, until you see a good design. Then I feel a deep joy. However this process can take several days or even months.
FS: What makes a design successful?
EK: like it when I see a design where I think their main source of beauty is in the proper use of the material and the means used. When this happens it's exciting.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
EK: When judged in most cases we lack data. I very much appreciate the context in which designs are produced but for this we must have good information. I like when the designs are appropriate and measured
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
EK: The designer has to be by definition a person committed to his work. Architecture is an art form out of necessity and design as well. Art and Necessity have to be both there. And the symbolism is also required. Society needs symbols and responsible attitudes and the designer as an actor has an obligation to give.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
EK: I think today the design is becoming more responsible, less frivolous. The design has become a value that no one can ignore. The future of design advances on responsible attitudes.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
EK: Dvelas made a presentation of his collection in September 2011. This exhibition was held in Imatra Bilbao, a gallery that fuses Art and Design. In this case we simulate the gallery Imatra Bilbao as the living space of a sophisticated and refined castaway who use their scarce resources such as sails, wood or ropes to solve all your domestic needs with apparent spontaneity defining all areas of your life daily, reserving an area for conversation, another to meditate, a work area, cooking area, eating and sleeping area. The pieces of furniture were accompanied by photographs of the artist Siegfried Koch, father of Arraitz. Then we come to more prosaic and commercial exhibition space as "Nude" in Valencia Habitat Fair in October 2011, the "Greenhouse" the Stocholm Furniture Fair in February 2012 and the "Discovery" area in the Temporary museum for new design in, Milano Tortona area in April 2012. Our next appointment is the exhibition "Fresh Green", in Germany 20th May 2012 in the Sculpture Park at Schloss Gottorf, Schleswig
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
EK: Dvelas is a very specific company. Design spaces, contemporary furniture and accessories based on the reuse of sails. The designs are inspired by concepts of navigation, the rigging of the boats and sewing techniques of professional sailmakers. It is also important to be consistent with the material and use it other than a lining or upholstery fabric but maintain tension and work as it did when it was "sail" on a boat. All these conditions self-imposed limit of the designs but also indicate in a fairly clear what counts and what does not.
FS: How 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?
EK: I think that could be described as simple yet expressive. I try to use fewer materials and a well-defined role. At a formal level I like that there are few gestures and that is clear and accompanies the concept. The initial phase of design is quite intuitive. In subsequent revisions of the design concepts are sought analytically.
FS: Where 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?
EK: I'm from San Sebastian, a coastal city but live in Pamplona to 80 km inland. These are areas with a strong personality where Basque vernacular architecture is very influential. The school of architecture at the University of Navarra and architects as Javier Carvajal, Redon Guibert and now Patxi Mangado are clear influences in my training. Also the metaphysical research sculpture by Jorge Oteiza is an important reference in my conception of design and space.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
EK: I usually start turning a concept, this concept can be weeks and months in my head barely draw Until there comes a time when the idea has matured and the shape appears quite intuitive. At this point I take the pencil and draw compulsively. Once the drawings I see the form and concept are one, it's time to consider doing a demo. In the model you realize many things and have to make corrections. Then comes the prototype where new issues are to be solved. So until a solution can be considered editable
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A’ Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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