We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Markus Fuerderer ("MF").

Markus Fuerderer is an award-winning New York City-based lighting designer. He is working as project lead and product designer at OVI, the Office for Visual Interaction, Inc. — a visionary firm specialized in lighting design for signature architecture. Since over a decade, Markus is working on projects around the globe with some of the world’s most celebrated architects. He is an active member of professional organizations such as the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America - IES, the International Association of Lighting Designers - IALD, and the American Institute of Architects - AIA. Active in a broader sense, Markus serves as a recurring guest judge for the Lighting Design Program (MFA) at Parsons - The New School for Design as well as the School of Architecture & Design at the New York Institute of Technology - NYIT. Born and educated in Germany, Markus received academic degrees in both architecture and product engineering. His award-winning designs focus on essential yet intuitive purism. Markus has cultivated a multi-disciplinary approach to create integrated lighting solutions for architectural space and industrial products —carving shape from darkness.

Markus Fuerderer Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Markus Fuerderer.

Designer Interview of Markus Fuerderer:

DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?

MF : Since my earliest memories, I was always passionate about creating and shaping my environment - originally trained in architecture, I have applied a comparable design process to design products and visual communication. I am especially intrigued by the thought of shaping haptic objects or spaces with the immateriality of light.

DI: What is "design" for you?

MF : Elegance of function

DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

MF : I am interested in strong contrasts: light vs. shadow, warm vs. cold, hard vs. soft. etc.

DI: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?

MF : Analytical, focused on function.

DI: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?

MF : New York City - here is where I find diversity and contrast - from people to architecture this environment certainly influences my way of thinking. I really like traveling for a change of pace and to be inspired by different sceneries and cultures, but in New York you can just walk down the street and see the world.

DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

MF : The best part of a designer's biography is not the record of his achievements, but the story of his style.

DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?

MF : Profound and enduring beauty of simplicity, clarity and efficiency. (Absence of ornamentation)

DI: What skills are most important for a designer?

MF : Focus on what's important.

DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

MF : Initially, I like to sketch my ideas on a blank sheet with a pencil. I believe in the purity and simplicity of clear concepts as a starting point of the design process. Once the design direction is established these sketches are translated and studied in various digital 3D models and photometric renderings. More and more, we see 3D prints supporting the design process as an objective reference. Ultimately, the best results make it into -what I like to call- the essential "presentation pitch": 3-4 images that display the essence of the design at one glance.

DI: How can people contact you?

MF : by Email: mail@markusfuerderer.com