Design Mindset

Sticking to your principles, from zero to hero

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Building a studio to pursue an unorthodox design approach may be difficult to start with but it pays off: German industrial designer Sebastian Herkner explains why, and how he coped when no-one noticed him

Sebastian Herkner - How to stick to your principles _ from zero to hero - cover

Industrial designer Sebastian Herkner is a perfect fit for contemporary, climate-change conscious times: he is passionate about revamping crafts but doesn’t disdain technologies, he is an expert on materials, devoted to sustainability, local production and durability. And, cherry on the top, he runs a studio-workshop in the German town of Offenbach rather than a big design destination. Needless saying, when he started, in 2006, all these choices made him sound almost like a weirdo. Back then, the design community was totally focused on digital technologies, new plastics, and global manufacturing processes. While cities where thriving on gentrification and industrial looks,…

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Sebastian Herkner | © Cover Image: courtesy of Thonet

Sebastian Herkner on his Let lounger chair designed for Fritz Hansen: constructed without glue, it’s steam-clean friendly and optimized for high-use environments

Metropol lamp, designed for Australian brand Rakumba, is a decorative yet functional collection that begins with a single lamp but can reach the grandeur of the chandelier setting.

The Mbrace collection of ourdoor furniture for Dedon combines teak, woven fiber and an optional die-cast aluminum base.

The Mbrace collection of ourdoor furniture for Dedon combines teak, woven fiber and an optional die-cast aluminum base.

The Bell table was produced by ClassiCon in 2012, 3 years after it was published on Wallpaper: it features a glass base that was hand blown in the traditional manner, using a wooden mould, and a metal top

With Theia, for Freifrau, the design concept was to fuse the frame and the seating shell to place equal emphasis both on the upholstery and the frame

The Pipe collection of armchairs for Moroso responds to the slimming trend with a design that plays with the natural appeal of a pleasing roundness, casual and lightweight

The Rio collection of sideboards and lamps for Punt is based on pure and balanced shapes made of solid wood, structured glass, fabric and brass with the base made of marble cylinder

Designed for Linteloo, Gilbert is a modular sofa that allows people to sit at an angle thus inviting conversation rather than TV watching