Interview with Ingrid Kulper

Ingrid Kulper ("IK") interviewed on Wednesday, 28 March.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

IK : I have been in the industry for about 25 years. I started with designing children's furniture , with the inspiration from nature and the magic of the fairytale world. My most prominent customer was a little princess from Jordan where I did design and create a whole room for her. She loved frogs and I had a hand carved frog on many of the furniture.My educational background is autodidact.I very much liked to make children's furniture and rugs while my daughter was small as it all started with making furniture for her. Much later when she was a grown up I did change for designing just rugs.

How did you become a designer?

IK : I always had an big interest in design and to create. On a trip to Bali where I did have my carved details made for the children's furniture I came in contact with the symbols of sacred geometry. I felt very strongly that I did want to incorporate sacred geometry in my design. I started to experiment and made my first rugs this way.For me a whole new world was opening and since that day my main focus was geometry.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

IK : I do think a lot of color combinations and if i see a pattern or form I can start thinking how it would look on a rug. I use digital tools as well as I experiment by cutting and pasting, using my hands adding and switching pieces together and apart.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

IK : When designing and creating I feel very much alive and in the now. I actually love the whole process from the initial idea to the end result. Sometimes I have just an idea in my mind I like to try and then time stands still.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

IK : One of my skills I think helped me a lot is that I believe that everything is possible,and even if I do not always succeed I do not give up as long as I really have the passion and motivation to go on, even if things look a bit dark.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

IK : I am very happy where I am in my process especially with being able to do and designing rugs in this for me very special patterns and formations. I am very interested in alternative health, politiks and ways to expand consciousness. Even if my customers do not really always believe that our wellbeing also can be influenced by form an color especially thinking of the vast selection from the world of sacred geometry. I do believe this and feel very happy to be able to contribute this way. My dream projekt would be together with others designing a varietyof rugs for a spa or Hotel complex.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

IK : I feel that the best way to grow your knowledge is to be aware that mistakes are important on the way. This does not mean that you do have to repeat the same mistake over and over again. When I did start up with the children's furniture , I did my self look for producers and now with the rugs I do the same. This is of course a risk and can be expensive. I always had in those days another job to be able to get around.

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

IK : I would say very shortly but sincere, follow you joy not the money !

What is your day to day look like?

IK : It all depends if there are any mails to respond to, any updates to make etc. My most boring task is to finish and send invoices even thou I suppose this should be pleasing. I also connect and go to meetings with interior architects for potential future co creation.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

IK : Pinterest I find very inspirational to expand my field of interest.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

IK : For me to recognize a good design means there must be a feeling of awe when looking at a beautiful crafted objekt.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

IK : I always feel when a design is ready. The most difficult part for me is to decide the color combination. Once one design is ready I always like to go on and do one more and one more. So I do end up with many different possibilities.

What is your biggest design work?

IK : I still dream of that project !

Who is your favourite designer?

IK : The artist I do admire very much is Leonardo Da Vinci. Then the Icelandic Danish artist Olafur Eliasson.In Architecture I admire Zaha Hadids work and also Antonio Gaudi.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

IK : Since I started to work with geometry and sacred geometry my life has changed for the better for sure. It makes me feel so much more connected to everything around me and new doors open constantly.Music and form are tightly connected and there are some interesting storys about this.

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

IK : I mostly work alone and would like to connect with others as well if the opportunity comes up.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

IK : Right now I have not come to the point where I can really contribute to society as a designer. I do admire artists and designers who do however.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

IK : To participate in A´Design Award and Competition has been a great experience for me. I learned very much by answering so many questions and explaining my design. Also I see this as a great opportunity to reach out and also come in contact with other creative people. There is genuine interest to be of help for all participants from the organizers. I feel very thankful and happy to get the opportunity to eventually become the designer of the day.

Ingrid Kulper Profile