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.