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DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?

: Vectis is a modern reinterpretation or early 20th century armchairs with influences from the Bauhaus and Art Deco movements. The design of the contemporary marquetry and leather bands is metaphoric as well as geometric.

DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?

: My main focus was to give Vectis a dynamic appearance through the choice of a trapeze and rhombus shaped structure. The lateral and backwards inclination of the structure emphasizes this dynamism.

DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?

: I designed the Vectis armchair in my design studio in Geneva during a period of 6 months.

DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?

: The design is being manufactured by a partner company and will be sold directly through my company ArteNemus (contact: info@artenemus.com) as well as trough selected decorative arts galleries.

DI: What made you design this particular type of work?

: I wanted to expand my collection of chest of drawers, tables, bookshelves by a compatible armchair.

DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?

: Some of my former designs, the chest of drawers Labyrinth or Shift, which both have an aesthetic determined by the combination of flamed maple with African ebony. Vectis has been designed to be compatible with them.

DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?

: After the initial idea originated in my mind, I started making first drafts on paper. Once the basic concept was established I transitioned to Rhino, my CAD software. Thereafter I used Maxwell Render to make the final choice in terms of materials and colours.

DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?

: The most unique aspect of the design is the graphic and pictorial design (especially when seen from the front) of the maquetry, which is extended on the leather cushions.

DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?

: I designed Black Labyrinth on my own. However, I am working with my manufacturing partners who master CNC manufacturing as well traditional art wood craftsmanship skills for its realization.

DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?

: CNC technologies as well as traditional wood art craftsmanship skills are required for the manufacturing of the structure and the marquetry rays. Without this combination, it would be difficult to attain the high level of craftsmanship and precision required.

DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?

: With regards to the ergonomics, especially the height of the seating surface and the height of the arm cushions I used dimensions from the F51 armchair from Gropius. The aesthetics of Vectis is however totally independent.

DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?

: The major challenge in terms of manufacturing is the contemporary marquetry made from African ebony as this is a wood species complex to work with.

DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?

: I submit designs to design competitions for three reasons. Firstly, it allows me to compare my designs to other designers’ creations. Secondly, winning an award and being in a catalogue is good public relations. And finally, it is a great personal satisfaction to win an award.