As Eleven.Twelve.Thirteen wraps up, we bring you the interview between curatorial design company, EFNBE, and Sydney based designer Christel Hadiwibawa. Here EFNBE chats to Christel about design, manufacturing and future plans for ChristelH…
EFNBE: So Eleven.Twelve.Thirteen is a celebration of your work produced from the last 3 years as well as the launch of your latest projects P3, Hugo, and Hover. Do you feel that your designs have changed over the 3 years?
CH: (Smiling) Yes indeed… Coming from a craftsmanship background my designs have definitely embraced a more industrial approach to meet market and client demands, but this in itself has brought a whole window of opportunities of discovering how to marry the use of hand skills with the advancing capabilities of technology to make things quicker and more efficient, primarily focusing on the final user. I have noticed that it has also become about creating effective business systems that function smoothly.
EFNBE: Of all the projects you are exhibiting, what are they and how did they come about? Do they relate to each other?
CH: My projects consist of Hover and Hugo, which are two pendant lights, Kembla which are square shelving units, P3 chair, and the Tilt coffee table and stool… These projects came about based on experimentation with materials and what material would be best suited for the particular project at hand.
CH: They relate in the sense of material choice, what I mean by that is timber, bamboo, metal and concrete are the main materials I use… but there are also themes that connect each piece such as the narrowing gap between eastern and western influences, shapes, colours and everyday objects that encourage social interaction, or stimulate thought and honor the creative process as well as the user.
EFNBE: As you know, a common complication for designers in Australia is their connection with local manufacturers. What has your experience been with this?
CH: I believe where ever you are based whether that be in Europe, Asia, America, or right here in Sydney, you can begin to find a network of manufacturers that can help support the production process of your designs… Don’t get me wrong it is hard work and takes time, but I began with simple door knocking in addition to asking my existing contact list if they could refer anyone/companies that I could collaborate with to bring my designs to life. From my experience, it’s really about developing relationship skills, being ok with rejection and having perseverance and genuineness.
EFNBE: What or who do you reference to in design? Where does your inspiration come from?
CH: There are a few designers I admire however over the years I am finding my own vernacular is developing as I discover and experiment things on my own. It’s nice to read what other designers have achieved and are working on, but it is more for reference and appreciation of their creativity and skill. Nowadays I am finding my ideas often come from areas outside my industry.
CH: My inspiration comes from people, traveling, and the subtle details discovered in everyday objects. Shapes, material, culture and exploring new environments shift your perspective and this ability to look at things differently is what stimulates creative solutions and ideas.
EFNBE: What should people expect from your next project?
CH: My next project is focused on providing practical solutions for the end user, giving them more ownership and creativity over their own furniture and space… When you think about it, if the technological devices that we are all using everyday have offered people greater options and flexibility, then why can’t furniture?
EFNBE: What would your ideal situation be as a designer?
CH: I love design, I love speaking, and I love people… so my ideal situation would be a larger and more consistent scale of what I am working on now… which is having CHRISTELH products distributed in Australia and globally; collaborating with other designers, manufacturers and retailers both nationally and internationally on a variety of projects in the areas of furniture, product and interior design; and speaking at events.
EFNBE interview with CHRISTELH - October 2013 – Sydney, Australia.
Photography by Natalie Lim