From Old To New

Wanders "marr[ies] a traditional craft with emerging materials and production techniques to create an entirely new take on a familiar object."

Wanders' closeness to his Dutch roots greatly influences his designs.  This quote describes Wanders' love for combining the old with the new, as well as reviving the art and beauty of old handmade crafts, which have been a big part of the Dutch culture for many decades.  What's so great about him is that he is proud of his culture and tries to restore old traditions so that he can share with the world what was personal to him growing up in a Dutch family.  He incorporates techniques, such as crocheting or macrame, into his designs, but with a modern twist.  He plays with the old, traditional, organic-shaped, handmade crafts versus the rugged, industrial elements of today.  He celebrates the beauty of his Dutch culture but by "creat[ing] an entirely new take on a familiar object," people of all ethnicity can relate and love the art and culture as well.  And there, Wanders finds the perfect medium between the old and the new.

I feel that we could all learn something from Wanders.  Many times, we feel that old is old and traditional is too traditional.  It's in the past.  It's antique.  Some people love it and some people don't.  And if you incorporate your culture into the design, only a certain group of people will relate and others will find it unappealing.  So, if only a small portion of the world is going to accept it, why should we design it?  We don't realize the potentional of how these old traditional elements can be a great influence in the way we design.  By taking even a simple element, such as a doily, a decorative Dutch element, Wanders transformed this old, traditional, delicate piece of lace into a striking, timeless piece of furniture that is an expression of old traditions with the new.

We've been heavily influenced by the Canadian and American culture that we forget about our own cultural roots.  Why?  Because sometimes, we are embarrassed to create designs influenced by our own cultures when we're living in such a westernized world.  We want people to love what we design so we choose the easy way out by focusing on what's already heavily accepted in society and considered the "norm".  And so, it leaves everything else feeling unusual and out of the ordinary.  We often find ourselves walking into a Japanese restaurant with lanterns and traditional elements, and saying, "Oh, this is very Japanese."  But when we go into a Japanese restaurant that has a westernized, contemporary, modern twist, we find ourselves saying, "Ooo, I like this place.  It's so nice and different from what I expected in a Japanese restaurant.  I should take my friends here next time."

So where can we find common ground?  Everyone is born with a unique cultural background and there are so many elements of design and traditions that could be of such great influence in the way we design.  As an individual with Chinese cultural roots, I've been exposed to the Chinese festivals, celebrations, traditions, religions and old Chinese histories.  They have shaped me into who I am as an individual and even in the way I think and create.  Wanders has taught me that by keeping an open mind, we can create a whole new take on such a simple, traditional element, such as chopsticks or Chinese paintings on rice paper, in a way that it is modern and new but also reflects the Chinese culture.  He has shown through his "Knotted Chair" and "Crochet Table" that you don't need to make it look old and traditional.  Even such a simple thing like the crochet pattern of a doily can influence new, innovative design.  People will then see it for its beauty, shape and form rather than the traditional elements that helped create the design.

Wanders success in using his old Dutch roots to influence his designs by taking a new approach has given me the confidence to not be afraid to incorporate my own cultural background while adding a modern twist.  Old traditions can be too traditional and outdated.  And the new contemporary and modern designs are all starting to look the same and is growing tired.  But when you combine the two, you get something so unique, extraordinary and meaningful.  So being Chinese, it's who I am, and it's alright to use traditional Chinese elements of design into my works.  So there's my medium.

Bibliography

A., David. "L.A. at Home: Marcel Wander's New Book, "Interiors," Compiles the High Notes from A Maestro of Design." Web log post. Los Angeles Times: Home & Garden. Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2011. Web. 15 Nov. 2012. <http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/home_blog/2011/05/marcel-wanders-book- interiors-.html>.

"Accessories: Swing With The Plants." Droog - A Different Perspective On Design. Droog, 2012. Web. 15 Nov. 2012. <http://www.droog.com/store/accessories/swing-with-the-plants/>.

Etherington, Rose. "Villa Moda By Marcel Wanders." Dezeen RSS. Dezeen Limited, 20 Apr. 2009. Web. 15 Nov. 2012. <http://www.dezeen.com/2009/04/20/villa-moda- by-marcel-wanders/>.

"Happy Hour Chandelier." Happyhourchandelier.com. Happy Hour Chandelier B.V., 2012. Web. 15 Nov. 2012. <http://www.happyhourchandelier.com/>.

Holt, Steven, and Mara Holt. Skov. "Form Follows Ornamentation: Marcel Wanders." Manufractured: The Conspicuous Transformation of Everyday Objects. San Francisco: Chronicle, 2008. 136+. Print.

Jane, Szita. "Marcel Wanders." Web log post. Dwell: People. Dwell Media LLC, Apr. 2006. Web. 15 Nov. 2012. <http://www.dwell.com/articles/profiles-marcel- wanders.html>.

"Marcel Wanders & Droog Design." Marcelwanders.nl. Marcel Wanders, 2004. Web. 15 Nov. 2012. <http://www.marcelwanders.nl/new-pages/droog-01.html>.

"Marcel Wanders: A Design for Life." Design Build Network. Net Resources International, 2010. Web. 15 Nov. 2012. <http://www.designbuild- network.com/features/feature91657>.

"Marcel Wanders." Designboom.com. Designboom, 16 Dec. 2004. Web. 15 Nov. 2012. <http://www.designboom.com/eng/interview/wanders.html>.

"Marcel Wanders | Product Design & Interior Design." Marcel Wanders. Ed. Joy. N.p., 2010. Web. 15 Nov. 2012. <http://www.marcelwanders.com/index.html>.

"Moooi." Moooi.com. Ed. The Moooi Team. Moooi BV, 2012. Web. 15 Nov. 2012. <http://www.moooi.com/company>.

A Man Of Many Talents

Wanders went from an ordinary student in art school to a man of many wonders.  Being first discovered for his "Knotted Chair", and then creating many product collections for high-end, top of the line companies, including Moooi, B&B Italia, his talent does not stop there.  His love and passion for design has allowed him to broaden his expertise and scope of work to also designing for interior and architectural spaces.  He's like the Lady Gaga or Elvis Presley of industrial design, as he is talented in a large spectrum of works, including hotel, academia and architecture.  He's at the top with all the other leading designers, including Philippe Starck and Jergen Bey, whom he had the honour of working closely with.

In all of his works, he displays his niche for theatricality and manipulating with space and textures.  They are all unique, over the top, and portray the feeling of luxury and elegance, with a slight sense of whimsy.  He doesn't just design a space but he tries to create an experience that is magical and memorable.  He wants to make you fall in love with the space and have an emotional impact on you even after you leave the space.  Therefore, his designs speak for themselves as words cannot describe the beauty, intricate details, patterns and grandness of the space. 

Here are some examples of his interior and architectural design projects:

Kameha Grand, Bonn

 



Lounge Area

Wanders believes that hotels are all so boring.  Even though many designers may not approve of his crazy designs, he feels that different is interesting. People are so used to the box-shaped hotels with an unappealing exterior, and even more so, the 4 wall bedrooms with wallpaper, a bed and some furniture. Sure they may have a nice chandelier or some soft couches in the lounge area, but once you see so many of them, they all start to look the same and nothing sets one apart from another. 

The Kameha Grand Bonn Hotel is a beautiful architectural building with glass panel windows on all sides with breathtaking views.  Wanders created a connection between the outdoors and grand scale of the architectural building by bringing those inspirations inside.  The space is very large and extravagant with high ceilings that create the open and airy feeling, while maintaining the warmth and comfort.  Consisting of a hotel and conference hall, Wanders played with contrasts.  From a personal, intimate setting of the Rhine-Hotel to the high energy, lively atmosphere of the conference rooms, Wanders combined the obvious differences to create a medium.  The large space and hard materials were softened with more curvilinear shapes and elegant materials, such as glass and crystal, for sparkle.  And the result is a space that is a calming, serene getaway with design that evokes the imagination and inspiration. 



Stonehouse

 

 

In 2002, Wanders designed the "Stonehouse" for Interpolis, an insurance company's main office building, located in Tilburg, the Netherlands.  The purpose of the space is to have enough flexibility for the 3000 employees to do their work in their office, meetings rooms or workstations.  Wanders based his concept on the club scene where gatherings and discussion can take place at a more personal, intimate setting.  It is to feel like a city with different spaces specializing different services, such as food, education, culture and communication, that surrounds a square-shaped, central area.  Open workspaces are available for meetings, discussions and conversations.  The relaxed nature of the company is represented through the fun, round, dome-like shapes that act as rooms.  While the space is whimiscal and fun, the linear, angular lines of the furniture pieces keeps the office feeling professional and respectable. 

 

 

JVC Building

 

Although Wanders is not an architect, he could fool anyone with his design for the JVC Building situated in Mexico.  Architects may think he is crazy because their way of thinking is very structured and different, but he strongly believes that straying from the norm can be interesting and unique.  And Wanders loves to be different and set himself apart from other designers.  Therfore, he strives to design architecture that is monumental, legendary and will be talked about for years. 

 

In the JVC Building, his concept was inspired by how he " dream[s] of creating an open fortress which makes the inhabitants feel safe and protected and is a welcome, new garden for a city of flowers."  They look like clouds in the sky and his use of greenery feels fresh, lively and inviting. 

So...

I've learned that being a designer, limitations is not an option.  In this day and age, students go through high school and post secondary believing that we have to choose one major and stick to it.  When we graduate, we have to find a job that relates to our field of study.  But learning from Wanders experiences and works, I think what makes him a great designer is that he's not afraid to try new things.  Though he may have started out as a furniture designer, his passion for design has allowed him to branch out and learn the skills needed to be an interior designer and architect.  This is truly inspiring because it opened my eyes, and I hope it also does for you, that we're not stuck to just one profession.  Even if I may have graduated with a diploma for interior design, I, too, could work on designs for an architectural building or create furniture designs and collections for an elite design store.  Or even so, I could incorporate my love for interior design and combine it with my love for handmade arts and crafts.  A combination of Martha Stewart and Marcel Wanders?  It's a possibility. 

Expanding boundaries and breaking out of one's comfort zone is the key to success.  But most importantly, keeping an open mind and believing that there are no limitations in the design world and life in general is the biggest lesson we can learn from Wanders.

Who Would've Thought?

When Wanders says he takes his job seriously, but not too seriously, he's telling the truth.  In the Happy Hour Chandelier project, he displays his sense of humour and whimsy. 

Wanders and famous Dutch dance choreographer, Nanine Linning, collaborated to come up with a design concept that was different, innovative, showstopping and would knock everyone's socks off.  Without a doubt, Wanders did just that.  Featured in hospitality, and art and design events, entertainment was an important factor.  Therefore, they fantasized about "being served petit fours at tea time, [or] little spoons of chocolate mousse" that would provide an unique experience for anyone.  But the one idea that struck them was the possibility of having beautiful female angels float from above while serving flutes of champagne.

And the result was the Happy Hour Chandelier.

Happy Hour Chandelier features sexy Dancing Angels who perform beautiful dance routines while hanging upside down on these large chandeliers.  But what makes them unique is that hanging around the base of the chandelier are bottles of champagne which these Dancing Angels serve to the party.  They also serve cocktails and alcohol, as well as chocolates, caviar or any savoury treats of your choice.  They are renowned world-wide and fly anywhere around the world to provide great entertainment for spectacular events, including award ceremonies, red carpet events, fashion shows, charity gala's, or smaller, more intimate functions at night clubs and restaurants.

Wanders has shown through this project how he has taken an ordinary object of a chandelier that acts as a light fixture, and transformed it into something bigger.  He has combined the beauty and grandness of a chandelier with the beautiful movements of the dance form shaped by the human body.  He also created contrasts with the chandelier's simplicity in its form and shapes with the complexity and details of the female form.

I think we could learn a thing or two from this project.  Thinking outside of the box can lead to great ideas.  Human interaction should always be factored during your design process.  They play a huge role in the impact of one's design.  Wanders always designs for the people and wants them to fall in love with the design as much as he did.  I believe that everyone should learn to do the same.

Open Your Mind

“It’s a mess up here.” Marcel Wanders is talking about his brain, and the necessary disorder of an open mind in design. “Philosophy is not one truth, but thousands of truths. You don’t have to believe in just one thing. When you choose one idea, you close yourself to the rest.”

After reading this quote, I couldn’t agree with him more. Wanders sure has a way with his words in that they contain such deep meanings and truths. I believe that his words have inspired me to want to be a better designer who is willing to take risks, expand my comfort zone and do things I normally wouldn’t do. He’s given me the confidence to believe that you should not set limits for yourself.

In school, students are like robots. We attain the information we learn from the teachers and do our assignments, projects and design our spaces accordingly to their lectures, standards, and expectations. But where is the creativity? We’ve simply hid it in the back of our minds and hearts because we’re afraid of failing. We’re so focused on getting a good mark that we choose to make design choices that we know will be approved by the teacher and are comfortable with. So in short, we take the easy route by doing the generic, same, boring, already-been-done designs. So how does one stray from that one minded way of thinking?

Wanders believes that the key to great, innovative, new design is to always have an open mind, and to have fun with it. By being open-minded and not taking things too seriously, he allows himself to think of all the crazy ideas that could be used to come up with a strong concept. How else would he have thought of using a rope, something we don’t pay too much attention to, and decide to create a chair out of that simple construction. Or using a soft, delicate doily, which basically acts as a decoration on the dining table, to create a usable, functional and sturdy table. Now that’s what you call an open mind. He thinks of all the possibilities and does not limit it to one idea because otherwise, the design will be static and unoriginal. And Wanders is all about originality.

His open-mindedness isn’t shown only in his way of designing, but also in his belief that “philosophy is not one truth.” We are often shaped to believe that as a designer, you should have one good, strong philosophy, such as being “green” in all your designs.  And with that one philosophy, it will mark your identity as a recognized interior designer in the world. However, Wanders breaks this belief and instead believes that one should not be limited to one philosophy but to have as many philosophies as long as it defines you and your works.

Therefore, Wanders is a man of inspiration. He believes in the strength of an open mind, the beauty of bringing back the old by mixing it with the new, the joy of “inspiring people to make their life a masterpiece,” making beautiful things & the challenge of changing the familiar into something extraordinary.

Villa Moda

Villa Moda is located in Bahrain, UAE, which is an extravagant retail store in the Middle East.  It is owned by a fashion icon of the Middle East, known as Sheikh Majed.  Sheikh is all about taking risks and he wanted to find someone who was just as adventurous and over the top as he was.  He wanted someone who did not have any experience in designing retail stores in hopes that they could design with a fresh eye and new approach.  Therefore, Wanders, who has been well-known for his furniture designs, had the honours of designing the interior of this luxury fashion store.

“The souk is the ultimate marketplace, a concentration of innovation and tradition, diversity and intimacy. Lose yourself in labyrinth passages and find yourself anew. We designed Villa Moda Bahrain as an international Babel of fashion, in order to share instead of divide. Meet the people of the own streets; shake hands and learn each other’s language.” - Marcel Wanders

Those are the words Wanders had to say about the concept of his design.  He was inspired by the traditional souk, which is an outdoor marketplace filled with food and merchandise vendors held traditionally in the Arabian city.  Therefore, Villa Moda combines all of the different, unique cultures and creates a festive place that celebrates people coming together and the joining of all the festivities and joyous moments.

Storefront & Entryway

From the moment you step foot in the store, you are welcomed by a beautiful storefront filled with dozens of oversized pearly white balls and with a single red ball at eye level with the words Villa Moda in gold.  The whimsical and very different, uniquely designed storefront doesn't need to rely on a flashy sign for the store or beautiful displays of clothing because the design already speaks for itself.  You are automatically enchanted by this fun yet luxurious place that you are drawn to walk through the hallway with the large, gold motifs on the walls and ceilings.  It really feels expensive and classy with the white and gold.    

Most retail stores rely on lavish window displays to attract customers, using mannequins, merchandise and props.  But Wanders strays from the norm, and instead, creates an emotional experience that you will remember and want to go back, not just for the merchandise, but for the retail design.  Instead of using the typical glass windows and simple white walls with wood flooring, for example, he plays with patterns, shapes and form using the white pearl balls and decorative motifs. 

Every corner you turn, there is something different and exciting. There is always something that catches your eye. I don't think there is one spot in the entire space where your breath isn't taken away. You can't help but stand in awe of the place. It is very stimulating with all the floral patterns, curves and over the top, upscale decals and graphic designs. However, it is done in a classy way that makes the place feel very hip and happening, and is the go to place for the newest and latest trends in the fashion world. The use of mainly shades of grey and white create a very sophisticated feeling which allows the vibrant, soft fabrics of the different clothing collections to pop out. It is a great way to bring one's attention to the product. 

Just Because It's Functional, Doesn't Mean It Can't Be Beautiful.

“I’m here to create an environment of love, live with passion, and make our most exciting dreams come true.” - Marcel Wanders

That’s what Wanders had to say about why he does what he does. He not only designs because he is passionate about it but because he also wants to design for the people. He wants to design things that people would love and feel like they are emotionally connected and attached to it as soon as they lay their eyes on it. He believes that things can be beautiful.

Now what struck him to be so strong in his beliefs and to be so passionate about what he does? One day in class at the Academy of Arts, his teacher was looking at the clock he designed. Though he was praised for its functionality, the comment that stuck to him the most was why it was so ugly. It was then that he realized that he could design things that are functional but also beautiful.

“Nowadays people don’t just have things because they need them, they have things because they love them. That’s my vision.” - Marcel Wanders

You can see his strive to make a difference in people’s lives just by his designs. Not only are they functional, but you can see the thought process he takes.  He looks at the different elements and tiny details that would serve the comfort and functionality of the product. The chair he designed, as discussed in the blog post, "Sometimes Failure Leads To Success", is nothing like you’ve ever seen before. We’ve gotten so used to normal, round or straight backed arm chairs with the 4 leg posts. And how do we feel about that? They all look the same. They’re nice, but there’s nothing that strikes us and makes us fall in love with the piece of furniture.

But, Wanders does the complete opposite.

He takes the idea of a normal armchair with its sturdy base, cushioned seat and high back which makes it comfortable to lounge in.  But then he takes it to another level and shapes it into a bean bag style made of beautiful crochet, doily-shape patterns.  Instead of the normal, clunky, solid armchair, he chose to make it transparent.  And as soon as you see it, you are taken back by how someone is able to design something so different, unique and beautiful.  You find yourself longing and yearning to buy it and envisioning yourself lounging in the chair with a cocktail in hand.  It makes you feel classy, upscale, and fashion forward.  And with that, Wanders has done his job. He’s made you fall in love with his designs. He has made you see the chair to be more than just a chair. It has become a piece that you feel connected to and defines you and your personality.

Here’s a quote he says to describe his beliefs:  

“I don’t want to make furniture that’s not functional.’ but the problem with modern design is that it defines functionality too narrowly. The more functional a chair, the less we feel it in our butts. The ‘I don’t know it’s there, so I don’t have to car’ approach is fine with a pacemaker. But a good chair you feel in your heart.”

Wanders' love for people and designing for them is something more people need to do. A lot of designers have steered towards focusing on ways that they can highlight their talent or to get praises from people. But Wanders' down to earth personality has made him “legendary, larger than life” as people love him for what he does and his undeniable passion and love for being such a people person. He states “I see people and I just want to be there for them. I want to help them live their dreams.” How could you not love someone who loves to do his job to put a smile on people's faces and warm the hearts of others.

"Sometimes Failure Leads To Success"

As discussed in the previous post, "From Delicateness to Strength," Wanders had taken his prototype of the Lace Tables and transformed it into something that is now sold in stores and at his own company, Moooi.  

Crochet Tables

These "Crochet Tables" represent the softness and delicate ornate patterns of the doilies while subtly displaying the minimal structural form of a cube.  Although this piece may be simplistic in design, it is heavy in its conceptual design.   It is a piece full of contrasts.  The "Crochet Tables" is an expression of beauty versus functionality. By manipulating its form into a box-like, angular shape using epoxy resin,  it challenges the softness of the materials.  It also mixes the old traditional, kitsch doilies that has been part of the Dutch culture with the new, contemporary designs.  Wanders has manipulated the "closed volume" nature of a cube by creating a hollow form using an "open web" material.  He was able to make a form that feels heavy and full of volume, feel light, delicate and beautiful.

This is an example of Wanders' ability to make the expected, unexpected.  He believes that there are no boundaries when it comes to design.  It just shows that sometimes ideas are limitless as long as you allow your mind to explore new things.  The crochet cubes set an example of Marcel's love for playing with "under-experimented" textiles and materials because of their "structural complexity."
 

Wanders didn't stop with just the "Crochet Tables".  He also designed a "Crochet Chair" along with many other functional pieces.  The "Crochet Chair", also made of handmade crochet cotton that has been hardened with epoxy resin, speaks out form and function in the most minimal design.  The simplicity of the shape is intensified through the use of handcrafted, floral doilies that have been joined together to form a beautiful pattern.  It allows you to appreciate the beauty of the old kitsch design in a whole different light and larger scale. 

These Crochet Chairs add great texture to a minimalist space,  It also creates beautiful shadows as the light travels through the hollow form and transfers the intricate patterns of the doilies onto the ground.

Here are some other products from the Crochet Series featured by Moooi.

Topiaries

Crochet Lamp Blossom

 

"From Delicateness To Strength"

"Marcel Wanders.  Just as a snowflake is formed, one crystal deposited upon another, a crocheted doily grows through an accretive process - one knot built upon a previous knot until a perfectly symmetrical pattern takes shape.  From a single string - knotted, looped, and twisted repeatedly - the intricate order of the doily emerges, bringing comfort to pattern-seeking minds."           - Mara Holt Skov           

Lace Tables Prototype

How a man is able to transform something so ordinary in our everyday lives, like a doily you place at the dinner table, into something extraordinary, conceptual and unique is almost unfathomable. 

If I was given the challenge to turn a doily, which is so delicate, flimsy and ornate, into something differerent, I may have thought of a cushion cover or candle holder.  But I would not have thought of taking the elements of a doily and crochet technique and transform it into a table.  Why?  Because I would be afraid of it failing.

However, with Wanders, he is constantly keeping an open mind.  Rather than focusing on the results, he is always thinking of every possible way there is to "transform the familiar into something different and deeper."  And because of this allowance to keep his creativity flowing, he is able to design things that are not stuck in the past and already done before.  Instead, he is always coming up with new ideas and starting new trends.  

He first began with the "Lace Table".  He was to turn something soft, lace, into a familiar object, which in this case was a table. This Swiss lace had to be hardened with resin and shaped into a cube shape to transform a soft material into a structure that was supposed to be able to withstand weight. Though it only went as far as a prototype because the lace was too soft to be functional, the creativity of thinking outside the box was more valuable than the actual object developed. It opened their eyes to things that has never been thought about before: to change handmade textiles into something that could essentially be considered as a raw material, such as the new age wood or metal.

The "Lace Table" was a project Wanders constructed during his early years working for Droog.  It brought about more questions that they did not have answers to.  However, it enforced change as it lead to new directions.  It impacted the way people thought and made them realize that having an open mind may not lead to the desired result but it could light a match to a new flame.  With Wanders' ambition and drive, he was able to take the ideas he learned in the prototype stage and transformed it into something functional and usable, which will be discussed in the blog post "Sometimes Failure Leads To Success". 

Although this design may not have served its purpose as being a functional table, being a consumer, I'd buy it as decoration and it would be a beautiful, delicate and exquisite feature piece.

"His Contribution To Droog Design"

Marcel Wanders designed many products for Droog Design.  　

“Swing”

http://www.droog.com/store/accessories/swing-with-the-plants/

Quoted by Wanders, “I believe that every girl dream to be a beautiful princess, hoping for her prince to come, swinging gently in a summer garden on a green covered swing full of green glossy leafs and fresh white flowers."

The seat is made of polyethylene and hung by ropes. There are two openings on the ends of the seat where soil can be added and planted with seeds. When these plants have grow ninto the beautiful vines that wrap around these ropes, “it becomes a poetic resting place for either your garden or your living room.”

 An event called “Garden of Delight” was held in Milan by Droog Design where the swings were featured as one of the hands-on installations. People came in to relax, get away from the dangerous world and could just enjoy themselves without worries. They entered into an enchanted forest, got massages, enjoyed a picnic and wonderful, calming music of birds chirping, while swinging on the “Swing” that hung from the ceilings. More information and images can be found on this website :
http://www.drooglab.com/projects/events/garden-of-delight/.

　
　　

“Set Up Shades”

http://www.moooi.com/products/set-shade

These lamps designed by Marcel for Droog Design took the expected, which is the usual, simple shades that we expect to buy when we purchase a lamp and transformed it into the unexpected by stacking a series of shades on top of each other. Available in three sizes, they not only look like a sculpture or artwork but it displays Marcel‘s play with type-forms to make something unsual but beautiful. This is a great example of Marcel‘s ability to take something like a lamp shade, challenge its limitations by “exploring the boundaries” and making it into something striking, unique and innovative.

 

"The Knotted Chair"

Another prototype that Wanders made was the Knotted Chair. The Knotted Chair brought about questions that people never thought about before because it has never been done.  But he made the impossible, possible.  He opened their eyes to new and innovative ways that a chair could be designed, rather than sticking to the normal 4 straight legs and straight back. He also expanded their views on uses of materials that were out of the norm. Constructing a chair out of knots seemed impossible but he was able to compose a prototype. The prototype received so much positive feedback and stirred huge discussions in the design world that he decided to take it a step further.  The chair was to be sold in stores for the world to enjoy and appreciate such great design. Never did they think that it would become marketed in the design world but it got the attention and was high in demand.  Manufactured by Cappellini, an Italian manufacturing company, it is still a desirable product today.

The Knotted Chair is a fusion of the unordinary with the ordinary and is a display of obvious contrasts. It combines the old techniques of hand-crafted work with the new age way of making things using factories and machinery. It defies the softness and forgiving nature of rope by making it into something functional, sturdy and 3-dimensional.  It maintains its beauty and is made obvious what material was used to construct such a striking piece of furniture.

It combines macramé made of rope with a rough, raw material using strong carbon metal to create a contrast between soft and hard materials, as well as old and new materials. These materials have been braided using an aramide technique with a carbon centre to create the many knots that compose the shape and design of the chair. It is then soaked in epoxy, which is hardened using a frame to sustain its shape along with gravity to add the finishing touches.  The transparency of the chair makes it look light and airy, as well as complicated in its structure. The complicated twists of the braids and knots represents strength and resistance to breaking down and collapsing.

The “Knotted Chair” is the perfect example of what Wanders loves and believes he was born to do: making something that is so familiar like a simple knot into something that it large scale and unimaginable. It also shows his insanely creative mind of being able to transform something soft and flat into a voluminous, strong, sturdy and rigid structural form that is usable, functional, durable but also stunningly designed. He also displays his love of reviving the old with the new: bringing the old, traditional macramé braiding technique from the sixties back by incorporating industrial, technological influences into the design.

Born and raised in Boxtel, Netherlands, Marcel Wanders, is “one of the legendary, larger-than-life designers of our time,” as well as, a respected individual, creator, designer and “iconoclast” in the creative, design world.

However, his whimsical and interesting designs didn’t always come easy and was not always as easily accepted as it is today. During his enrollment in design school, when he was asked to design a clock, he did not get the praise that he thought he would receive. Instead his teacher told him that the clock had a good concept being “theoretical and dogmatic” but “too bad it’s ugly.” Such a comment had an impact on him as he decided that he would design things that were unusual and out of the box but “there was no reason he couldn’t make beautiful things.” Though he was kicked out of design school after his first year, in 1988, he graduated cum laude from the School of the Arts Arnhem.

It wasn’t until he started working as one of the major designers for a renowned Dutch company called Droog Design that shaped him into the cutting edge and influential designer that he is today. Situated in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Droog Design was founded by designers Gijs Bakker and Renny Ramakers in 1993. The name Droog, which means “dry” in Dutch, is fitting for their company as they were known for their highly conceptual but simplistic and dry humour products. This pioneering company believe in breaking from the familiar and the conventional. They question many objects of design including what is considered the norm and accepted by consumers as being a good, asthetically-designed product, as well as, its functionality, appearance, texture, choices in materials and manufacturing process. The company’s mission is to create familiar objects, such as furniture, into something that serves the same purpose but has a “raw strangeness and style resistant nature.” They want to figure out how to design products in a way that no one has ever done before.

This was everything Wanders could dream of.  He basically had free reign to design anything his imagination allowed him to explore.  Whatever his heart desired, he could express it through his designs. It trained his mind to constantly question and challenge limitations by opening his mind to every thinkable possibility rather than the result.  This influenced him to create strong and conceptual objects that were unique and different.  His ability to break out of the static and uniform way of thinking was shown in his first Droog project of the "Knotted Chair".

In 1995, Wanders started his own company at a studio in Amsterdam called Marcel Wanders studio, once known as Wanders Wonders studio.  Despite his achievement, it was the year of 1996 that sparked the beginning of his fame as a globally recognized designer when he gained recognition for his "Knotted Chair".  It received many positive feedback internationally and has become an iconic piece to this day.  Wanders is now unstoppable and “ubiquitous.”  His works can be found in all of the big, high-end European design companies including Bisazza, Cappellini, B&B Italia, Flos, Moroso, and especially Droog Design and Moooi.

He also became the co-founder and art director of Moooi in 2001.  He and his partner, Casper Vissers, make a perfect team.  While Wanders contributes creatively through his passion for design, Casper’s strong marketing skills with his great design sense has made them successful. This company is a great representation of Wanders as the collections presented are “timeless objects of beauty which possess the uniqueness and character of antiques combined with the freshness of modern times.” Thus, the name Moooi is derived from the Dutch word “mooi” for beautiful but an extra “o“ is added to emphasize its “beauty and uniqueness.” Although the works of many other famous designers, along with Wanders' designs, are featured in Moooi, Wanders has total control over what is to be carried by Moooi, in order to ensure the company maintains its mission statement.

But Wanders' talent doesn't just stop there.  Besides designing objects and furniture, he also has a knack for architectural and interior design.  He has designed many retail and hospitality interiors, including Villa Moda and Kameha Grand Bonn hotel, which received the MIPIM Awards 2010 in the hotel category.  His success has been recognized globally as he has won many awards including Elle Decoration International Design Awards Designer of the Year in 2006, Philadelphia Museum of Art’s modern design collaborative award, and Collab, the Design Excellence Award in 2009.  His talents and success is truly unstoppable and he has become a leading force in the design world.