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

Studio Lievens interest is in re-imagining the nature and re-constructing it through the human perceptual vehicles, like geometry and science. To understand nature scientifically human need to construct a system that divides its complexity and explains it. Having that in mind my work tries to re-imagine the concept of natural phenomenon and re-construct them into every-day objects. Dividing nature and its phenomenon into bits and pieces and re-assembling it understandable, usable and relatable objects is the methodology of the work.

Nina Lieven Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Nina Lieven.

Designer Interview of Nina Lieven:

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?

NL : For as long as I can remember I wanted to work in a creative field. As a designer and as well as an artist I like to think in terms of concepts of things. But as a designer I also need to find solutions for usability. An artist uses the work to communicate with the audience and that moment of contact is when the work really starts to exist. Both an artist and a designer create experience-objects.

DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

NL : Studio Lieven’s main interest is in re-imagining the nature and re-constructing it through the human perceptual vehicles, like geometry and science. My work tries to re-imagine the concept of natural phenomenon and re-construct them into every-day objects.

DI: What is "design" for you?

NL : Design is a way of relating to the world. It influences our daily lives. We perceive it consciously and unconsciously. Design emphasizes meanings, messages and the use of things.

DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?

NL : The light is a phenomenon that inspires me because of its essential presence in our daily lives. But I cannot say that I like it the most.

DI: When do you feel the most creative?

NL : When I don’t have a deadline.

DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

NL : The majority of my focus goes to the conceptual phase of the process. Also finding new technical solutions that transfer my design concepts to actual objects is where I spend a lot of overall design time.

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

NL : All of them other than boredom.

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?

NL : I feel happy to move on to my next design.

DI: What makes a design successful?

NL : It depends on how you define success - one unique piece can be as successful as other that is mass-produced.

DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

NL : The design should fit into the context it is made for. It must fulfil its inner purpose. It’s similar with the art. Imagine a work of art or a design as a circle. A good piece fills this circle completely satisfying everything it is set out to do. A bad piece fills it half way. That it true regardless of how big the circle is.

DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?

NL : It’s a tough one. On one hand design is a luxury. On the other hand sense of design is global and reaches everybody around the world. Designers in my opinion must adopt sort of designers’ Hippocratic oath to strive to improve people’s lives and make balance with the nature.

DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

NL : Due to 3D printing and digitalisation of things we have going on now increased possibilities to create objects and less limitations to what they can look like. I think that this technological change will produce multitude of styles and new freedom of expression.

DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?

NL : At the moment I exhibit at Venice Design 2017, from May to November. I have some unconfirmed plans to exhibit in the US and in Germany.

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

NL : I can find endless inspiration in the nature. There are so many interesting phenomena, colours, substances, forms that I want to transfer into the language of design.

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?

NL : Germany in general, Berlin in particular. A lot of design in Germany is technology driven. Germany is country of engineers. I felt that as a positive influence in my work. Berlin on the other hand is a cultural island, very diverse and international. Due to its history Berlin still have a lot of empty spaces both metaphorically and actually and therefore a lot of opportunities for people to act and develop.

DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?

NL : I start with conceptualisation. It entails a lot of research, reading, drawing and imagining. I’m trying to see my future object in a broader scientific and cultural context. Second step is experimenting. Going into material. Modelling. Breaking things and starting again, mixing things that don’t belong together. As a result of these experiments I make choices. I chose the direction to take. After that comes elaboration. Expanding and perfecting. Than comes prototyping and production.

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

NL : If you don’t enjoy it it’s gonna be too hard. Don’t give up.

DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

NL : Positives. You get to design things. It’s a creative job. If that’s something that is close to your heart. Negatives. It’s a good work but sustainable only for few.

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

NL : Design needs to have a reason.

DI: What skills are most important for a designer?

NL : Creative talents are important but not enough to succeed. You have to also be able to communicate, promote and sell.

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

NL : from three month till five years

DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?

NL : Main idea comes from me but after the conceptual phase I enjoy working with a small group of selected people. I am really grateful to have inspiring and smart people around me that help developing my projects. Its important to have a good team. Btw . we always look for interns.

DI: How can people contact you?

NL : Through my website. ninaliven.net