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Big Ideas
Dutch designer Teun Fleskens is an optimist with a big imagination
This article is printed in the May 09 issue of Designer
Fleskens discovered his passion for design whilst working as an interior builder. This prompted him to sign up for a course in furniture design which eventually led to him studying for a degree in Industrial Design at the Design Academy in Eindhoven.
Each year he participates in the Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven together with his business partner Ramon van den Heuvel of Ramon Future Furniture. He has worked for a number of companies including Shoesme, Douwe Egberts, Hilvaria Studios, Vlaemsch and Blink.
DESIGNER: What is your career background and how did you first become interested in design?
FLESKENS: After finishing school, I immediately started working as an interior builder. This is where I first came into contact with design and architecture. I had worked there for two years when I left for a company that specialised in making furniture.
In only a short time of working there I found out that I formed strong opinions about the assignments and I would want to do things differently. This made me realise that there was a drive in me, a fire, which I had to do something with.
In the evenings, I began designing furniture for family and friends. I did this with so much pleasure, enjoying everything about it, playing with the forms and material, that finally I decided to quit my job and start a course in furniture design.
In the third year, I arranged an internship with designer Michiel van der Kley. I was moved by his way of working, especially the freedom that he had, sitting together in the sun thinking of new ideas.
Again, it opened my eyes. Now not only furniture interested me, it got me thinking about a whole new world of interest.
Back at school I accidentally walked into a presentation about the design academy Eindhoven. This couldn't have been a coincidence. I began working as hard as possible and finished my course half a year earlier in order to start as soon as possible at the design academy.
I got a place there and really had the feeling that I belonged there. Aside from my studies, I tried to get some of my designs on the market. Right now my search for manufacturers continues but there are a few new designs in the production process.
DESIGNER: Who or what have been the biggest influences on your career so far and which current designers inspire you most?
FLESKENS: I am a new designer so I can only say what influences me so far. I think that it is my strong will to really go for it and achieve the freedom I first saw at my internship. Often I get reminded that in this fast world the importance of creativity keeps growing.
When I look at other designers and artists, what inspires me the most is when they visualize the broad possibilities of creativity and technology nowadays. Take for example, the work of Ross Lovegrove and Ron Arad. I'd also include the architects who are working in Dubai (Resier and Umemoto of RUR Architecture PC with their 0-14 tower and David Fisher's Da Vinci rotating tower).
DESIGNER: Do you follow a particular design process or is each project very different?
FLESKENS: Every product asks for a different approach. People react differently to different objects so for me it is very natural to consider that in my designs.
Of course there are a few aspects of the process that are always necessary. From the start, I always want to do research about the client, the target group and what is already on the market. When I have gathered all that information, I put it on a pile, mix it around, shake it and stretch it, reorganise it and put my own thoughts and ideas into it. Step by step it grows to the first part of inspiration.
The other part I collect from my surroundings: daily life; nature; media; anything that crosses my mind. I put this down in words and images and the first part of sketching is born. That will be followed by more sketching and sketching and more sketching.
Sometimes there comes a part in the process where I get stuck. This is when I need to do some running, meditation or just visit some friends.
When I find the basic form, I start making 3D models, looking for the final form, way of use, material and scale, but most important of all is finding out how the form best communicates the use of the product.
Out of these models I choose the final design for which I make new models in real scale and material.
DESIGNER: How would you describe your design style?
FLESKENS: In a few words my style could be described as experimental, communicative, pure, natural versus industrial and clearly present, but not demanding.
For me, the most important part of my design is that my products are not only functional but generally meaningful. The concept is very important. This can be a serious statement or just making a smile appear: capturing the essence of this conceptual thinking into a minimalistic design.
DESIGNER: How does being a designer affect the way you see the world?
FLESKENS: As a designer it is your duty to observe your surroundings and react to them. The world and its people are your playground and working field. Looking at the world through a true designer's eyes there is nothing that slips past your attention.
It is as much in the details as in the bigger picture. You observe everything from a distance.
Walking down the street I look for things that could use improvement. I try to find ways to combine different objects or products into new and better design. For example, when I look at a group of people leaning against a brick wall, immediately my brain starts working. How could I create a brick that is comfortable to lean on? Can I change the way of building up a wall or integrate a softer material? Continuing my walk I see some birds resting on a lamppost. What if the form of the lamppost has a birdcage integrated on the top of the light?
I have the opportunity to really improve my surroundings. This is what I love about this work. It's a constant adventure. I get no rest. It starts when I get up in the morning till I go to bed at night and sometimes even sneaks into my dreams.
Maybe a better question would be: How can you stop looking at the world as a designer?
DESIGNER: What kitchen- or bathroom-related design projects have you undertaken?
FLESKENS: I did an assignment for Gaggenau were I rearranged a fridge inspired by professional kitchens. In these kitchens they separate chicken, beef/veal, fish and vegetables by a colour system. I used this same method of separation in the Gaggenau fridge. It comprised of boxes with coloured cutting boards.
For Habidrome, I have designed several products for the bathroom together with my friend and colleague Luc van Hoeckel. I would like to describe this in detail, but because it will be produced in the near future you have to wait and see. Sorry!
DESIGNER: Have you worked on projects outside of the kitchen/bathroom sector and if so, what type of work does this include?
FLESKENS: Most of my projects are outside of the kitchen and bathroom sector. I'm not specialized in one particular sector, but try to design everything from tools to whole interior designs. I find it very interesting to do different projects - sometimes I feel like designing a lot of smaller products like lamps, toothbrushes, and coffee cups.
It is always challenging to find the best and easiest way to produce a product, but then it can also be refreshing to create a whole interior including the furniture. Clients tell me their wishes and I have the chance to put everything I do into one project, such as a living room.
I also still enjoy making exclusive furniture such as a bespoke table. This helps me to think in a different way, keeping in mind the individual's wishes and combining them with my ideas to eventually create a suitable interior or product.
DESIGNER: Which of your own design projects has been your personal favourite so far?
FLESKENS: I can look back at my designs and I can say which one I like better and why. For example, I was really satisfied with the growing chair. I like the way you plant it and can watch it grow. It creates a closer relationship with your chair.
But a design is a reflection of the period in time that you created it. I'm convinced that you have to keep improving yourself. So if you ask me what my favourite design is so far I would answer that I haven't made it yet.
DESIGNER: What is your long-term career plan as a designer?
FLESKENS: I'm working together with Ramon van de Heuvel. We create interior products for companies as well as for private individuals. I do the designing part and Ramon is responsible for the realization. This is something that I will keep up in the near future.
I enjoy the collaboration with other designers and artists because that will broaden my vision and brings more opportunities to undertake bigger projects. Of course I will continue to get my own designs manufactured.
I have a big dream for the future and I will do everything in my power to realise it. It's a combination of all these things. I see a big office where designers, artists, architects and engineers work together on the most interesting projects, uniting their talents and specialisations into a great creative and creating family, eventually using this to really add something to the world.
I hope to oversee and undertake projects in which solutions can be found for some of the greater problems that we have nowadays. I want to improve the environment and create systems that a lot of people can benefit from. I know that this probably sounds very idealistic but what can I say - I'm an optimist with a big imagination!
Teun Fleskens
www.teunfleskens.com
