Interview with Olivier Felix Isselin

Olivier Felix Isselin ("OFI") interviewed on Monday, 29 May.

How did you become a designer?

OFI : I studied architecture in Paris, but I quickly realized that I didn't want to pursue that path. After spending some time working with an architect, I understood that the profession, as it was practiced, wasn't suitable for me: creative freedom was stifled too quickly, and there were too many administrative constraints... I should mention that alongside my studies, I was also involved in the artistic direction of major events in Paris, held in magical places like the Centre Pompidou, the Conciergerie, the Hôtel de Sully, and so on. I had to make a choice ! Subsequently, I directed several contemporary art galleries, curated exhibitions, and created and managed various spaces. Finally, it was only when I settled on the French Riviera that I decided to showcase my work as an artist. Ultimately, my entire journey has been that of a free man, turning my passions into my work and vice versa. Design is a natural continuation of my life's path.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

OFI : It always starts with a spark. I can't explain it. It can happen anywhere, at any time. The idea is there, evident. After a necessary period of contemplation, comes the moment of bibliographic study. If my idea still seems relevant, I proceed with technical studies and begin the modeling process. What characterizes me the most is perhaps my affinity for clean, unadorned forms.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

OFI : Excitement, pleasure, stress, motivation, obsession

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

OFI : As a child, I played a lot with Lego: I enjoyed challenging myself and finding solutions. My grandfather, an Italian entrepreneur settled in France: I spent a lot of time with him. We would discuss his projects, and I would assist him in creating his plans. His analytical mind and ability to generate new ideas inspired me. And, like him, I enjoy looking ahead. Directing art galleries was also a formative experience for me: I sharpened my eye and learned a great deal from the artists I represented and the people I encountered during that period.

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

OFI : Although my path has been ultimately coherent, it has unfolded in waves: I become passionate about each project, dedicating all my time to it, and once it is completed, I need to move on to something else. It is the creation and the challenge that drive me forward. My future plans: I don't have a predefined career plan, so I remain open to possibilities. As long as a subject interests me and falls within my area of expertise, which includes requests for creative work (space or product design), artistic direction, organizing an exhibition, and so on, I am potentially interested. Of course, I will always continue working on my personal projects. The two are not mutually exclusive. My dream project: Everything I have done so far is a part of me, but due to a lack of time and resources, I haven't been able to create my own nest: a place that I have envisioned entirely, where architecture, art, and design intertwine... All set within a natural environment: My "Villa Adriana."

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

OFI : At over 40 years old, I still consider myself a promising young creator! But on a more serious note, here are some classic pieces of advice that are always worth mentioning: Be curious about everything - Learn to appreciate the things in life while maintaining a critical eye - Don't give in to ease or take shortcuts - Don't hold back or shy away from hard work - Lastly, focus more on your output than on yourself.

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

OFI : I believe the most important thing is to stay true to your own convictions and never compromise! Only a certain level of radicality allows for the creation and preservation of one's own style. That's why it's crucial to be honest and, even if you need it, learn to decline a project if it doesn't resonate with you.

What is your day to day look like?

OFI : Working alone requires great discipline, so I try to establish a daily routine with some rituals, but I don't set fixed hours. It's the ongoing work that dictates my schedule. For example, if I'm in a phase of finalizing a project, I isolate myself and dedicate all my time to it, sometimes working day and night! I never hold back, but I don't consider it a merit because I genuinely love what I do.

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

OFI : I try to avoid following trends. Nowadays, everything moves too fast, and the public doesn't have time to "absorb" them before moving on. The disposable culture is not for me. Moreover, our society will eventually have to question itself because the future lies in sustainability. Our planet cannot endlessly endure our missteps.

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

OFI : For me, design is primarily about the relationship with space. Good design is an object that appears obvious, yet different, and while it represents a particular era, it retains its modernity. Personally, I prioritize the pursuit of simplicity and purification. In this sense, I am a disciple of Mies van der Rohe: "Less is more." The visit to his Pavilion created in Barcelona in 1929 for the international exhibition left a deep impression on me. Everything is there!

How do you decide if your design is ready?

OFI : It's not me who decides; it's the deadline imposed on me or the one I set for myself. It has always been a challenge for me because I struggle to stop. It becomes an obsession, as I believe there is always room to enhance the outcome, to refine it further. Fortunately, these deadlines push me to conclude. In retrospect, maybe it's because once a project is completed, it no longer belongs to me... It's akin to the feeling parents might have when their children leave the family nest: there is the happiness of seeing them take flight, but also a sense of heartache and letting go.

What is your biggest design work?

OFI : I find it hard to rank my projects. I have an insatiable appetite for challenges, so every new project excites me. But if I have to mention one creation, perhaps I would choose one of my installations: "Bacchanalia." I created this piece in a magical location—an old shipyard transformed into a contemporary art space overlooking the sea. I was the curator of the ongoing exhibition, and in a space that I initially decided not to occupy, I ended up creating this installation, which I had a precise idea about for some time. The result, the location, the sea, the light... All of it brought me great joy. This artistic project could be adapted into a fountain and would fit perfectly in a city or within a vineyard. I hope that it will become a reality.

Who is your favourite designer?

OFI : Undoubtedly, the architect who evokes the most emotion in me is Tadao Ando. The simplicity of lines, the play of light, the use of raw concrete, his relationship with nature... Everything moves me in his constructions. Furthermore, I am very much in tune with the modernists and the freedom that characterized them. Like the artists of the Quattrocento, they completely disrupted existing codes. Artists such as those from the Bauhaus movement and its director Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright, Oscar Niemeyer, and many others. Lastly, I have a great affinity for the furniture of the "Space Age" movement from the post-war period, including designers like Eero Saarinen, Verner Panton, the Castiglioni brothers, Eero Aarnio, and more. It's an era I didn't experience firsthand, so I likely idealize it, but I imagine it as a joyous time where anything seemed possible. That's the perception I gather from their creations. If I had the chance to speak with just one deceased designer, who would I choose? The list is quite long, but I would probably choose Le Corbusier. He was not only an architect, urban planner, designer, painter, and sculptor but also a great theorist, whose influence on architecture and design is immense. I would have loved to learn from him and engage in debates.

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

OFI : Undeniably, my life experiences have a significant influence on my design projects. A person's culture inevitably shapes their aesthetic vision and preferences. According to my friends, I'm perpetually 17 years old and will probably go bad before ripening! This mindset is undoubtedly a strength in my life as it fuels my insatiable curiosity and thirst for discovery. It's a driving force that guides my choices and actions, both in my personal life and in my design practice. I've been fortunate to always live in beautiful places, from Paris to Dijon, the Alps to the French Riviera, passing through Langres. I'm deeply immersed in these environments, and they have greatly contributed to shaping me. My relationship with aesthetics has always been essential. I believe in the utility of beauty. Beauty is the added value of a place or an object. Beauty makes us feel good. Music also plays a vital role in my life. It evokes profound emotions within me and surely plays a central role in my creative process. I attach great importance to its role in my daily life. It accompanies my moments of reflection and relaxation. For me, music is never just background noise. Artists like David Bowie, the Velvet Underground, Iggy Pop and the Stooges, Bob Dylan, Magma, Sonic Youth, Joy Division, and many others resurface tirelessly. And whenever I can, I escape to explore museums and exhibitions and visit places I love. Whenever possible, I try to travel, not necessarily far or for long periods of time. Italy remains my favorite destination. I am in love with this country. Whether wandering through the landscapes of Tuscany, savoring a Spritz in front of the Colosseum, strolling among the fountains of Villa d'Este, or standing above the Bay of Naples, gazing at Mount Vesuvius, whether enjoying a simple pizza or taking a break at the spiaggia dell'Olivetta in Portofino, or discovering enchanting villages like Barga, getting lost in the alleyways of Venice, or revisiting Lake Como, I feel at home. Naturally. My lifestyle and culture, shaped by my experiences, my appreciation for aesthetics, my love for music, and my thirst for exploration, all come together to influence my approach to design. They provide me with inspiration, inform my choices, and contribute to creating meaningful and impactful designs.

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

OFI : I work alone. And depending on my projects, I seek partnerships. Whether they are service providers or sponsors, I operate based on instinct with the goal of establishing long-term collaborations built on trust and loyalty.

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

OFI : I feel deeply involved in urban planning. I strive to denounce its aberrations while also being proactive in proposing solutions. I firmly believe that poor urban development is the root cause of many social and environmental issues in our society. There is so much to be done. Object design is also important, but its significance may be subject to reassessment over the years. Nevertheless, it is of lesser concern. Being a recipient of the A' Design Award will hopefully lend more legitimacy to my viewpoints and make them more widely heard.

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

OFI : This is a significant milestone for me. It is the first time I have participated in a design competition. This award is an honor, and I thank you for it. Receiving this recognition has prompted me to engage in valuable introspection. While I naturally prefer to focus on the future rather than dwell on the past, it compelled me to pause and take stock. This critical self-reflection has proven to be highly constructive. Ultimately, it is quite stimulating. Additionally, being a recipient of the A' Design Award should help elevate my spa, Space Oddity, and more broadly, introduce my work internationally, which is one of my objectives. Lastly, this award will lead to new connections and, consequently, new opportunities, both on a personal and professional level.

Olivier Felix Isselin Profile