Interview with Charlotte Friis

Charlotte Friis ("CF") interviewed on Saturday, 5 May.

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

CF : I have been a furniture designer for 15 years. I have worked for several: design, advertising and exhibition design companies in Great Britain and Denmark.

How did you become a designer?

CF : When I was little my mum incouraged me to paint and draw. I later took a Master of Arts in communication design at the Royal College of Art in London. In my final year I started to become more and more interested in 3 dimensional objects. I think my background in communication helps me to do original designs.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

CF : My approach to create a new design always takes it's beginning with a very strong concept. I don't work on weak ideas! Often, my furniture tells stories about contemporary lifestyle. I always do one to one scale prototypes - I want to test my designs before I show them to other people.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

CF : When I design I forget everything around me. To come up with the concept is very exiting and fullfiling. I also enjoy to see the final prototype after a lot of hard work.

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

CF : I am very influenced by communication design and it helps me find new ways of approaching the act of designing furniture and lamps.

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

CF : In the near future I want to finalise my rotating fan clock. It is a very interesting project - and I dont think it has any similarities to any existing designs.

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

CF : I think young designers should look for inspiration outside the area of funiture and lighting design. They have to think for themselves.

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

CF : I suggest, they should work on every single detail when designing - making compromises shows in the final prototype.

What is your day to day look like?

CF : I start my day with drinking coffee and think about the project I am working on. Then I might start making models in cardboard, wire and extruded polystyrene. It makes me happy to solve problems that occur during the design process.

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

CF : I hate design trends. I often find my ideas by working across form and function- giving existing objects a new meaning and function.

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

CF : I dont like projects that look similar to what I have seen before.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

CF : I often design on and off on a project for a long period of time. My design is ready when I can not find any missing details. It is an intuitive feeling!

What is your biggest design work?

CF : My most recognised project is Children Papers Chair. I do not know, why it gets more attention than my other designs. Currently I am very excited about my rotating fan clock.

Who is your favourite designer?

CF : I dont have any favorite designer.

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

CF : I am currently based in Copenhagen. I dont think the danish design culture effects my design - probably the opposite! I think danish design needs to renew itself!

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

CF : I prefer to work on a project by myself.

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

CF : My design tells stories about contemporary issues such as animal welfare, work/life balance, genetic manipulation, extensive use of paper (Children Papers Chair).

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

CF : I am very happy for my Silver A'award and think it will help me to promote my design.

Charlotte Friis Profile