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

FREUDWERK combines modern aesthetics with established traditions and stands for the highest demands in design and manufacture. FREUDWERK develops objects blending into and enrich the living environment. The exclusive selection of materials and products demonstrate quality and functional values linked with a pureness and clarity of form. The interplay between design and handwork is the major focus. Its intensive development process combined with an in depth know-how and a passion for details enhances forms, materials, modern techniques and traditional handcraft. All products are crafted in small quantities. FREUDWERK articles have an individual timeless elegance combined with a long life durability.

Matthias Scherzinger Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Matthias Scherzinger.

Designer Interview of Matthias Scherzinger:

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?

MS : After my school leaving examination I decided to train as a furniture maker. I completed my apprenticeship as best of my course. Beside of my daily working life I went for few years every week to a painting school to improve my painting skills. After some time of practice in my apprenticing company I received an scholarship for further and advanced training. This allowed me to go on travels, e.g. NZ, UK and Switzerland with the objective of getting new techniques, how other businesses are working and learning about the culture. After my return I wanted to advance in a creative way in my job without backing out of the job. So I decided to go to university. I started my studies for few years in Interior Architecture in Bavaria, followed by a semester abroad in Furniture Design in Finland followed by an internship in a Design Studio and finally I switched the subject and went for Industrial Design to Switzerland. In 2011, I graduated from university as BA Industrial Design. Afterwards I worked two years as a designer and maker for Joseph Walsh Studio in Ireland in the position Research and Development before I returned to my home in the Black Forest/Germany and established my own label Freudwerk.

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

MS : My company/design studio called Freudwerk is a one-man business. It consists of both professions I have learnd, design and manufacture. I try to bring both fields together, combining modern aesthetics with established traditions. My products are standing for the highest demands in design and manufacture. Freudwerk develops objects blending into and enrich the living environment. The exclusive selection of materials and products demonstrate quality and functional values linked with a pureness and clarity of form. The interplay between design and handwork is the major focus. Its intensive development process combined with an in depth know-how and a passion for details enhances forms, materials, modern techniques and traditional handcraft. All products are crafted in small quantities. Freudwerk articles have an individual timeless elegance combined with a long life durability.

DI: What is "design" for you?

MS : I think design is a very high and masterful understanding of form, function and evolution. Design is knowing the effects of the product before you have even started with it.

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

MS : There is no restriction on works I like to design. At the end the products should demonstrate quality and functional values linked with a pureness and clarity of form.

DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

MS : It is impossible for me to answer this question because there are so many things I like.

DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?

MS : A trolley for the gastronomy

DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

MS : My favorite material is solid wood. It is a fantastic material because it is still alive and it is all the time a challenge.

DI: When do you feel the most creative?

MS : If I am working in my workshop.

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

MS : All aspects are in the same way important for a design. Every aspect has its eligibility. It is like a puzzle.

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

MS : Back in the childhood. A feeling of freedom and a huge playground.

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

MS : I am very proud to see what I have done recently. And that it was worth investing the time.

DI: What makes a design successful?

MS : Honesty, pureness and clarity. Less is more.

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

MS : I think I am not in the position to judge about a design if it is good or bad.

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

MS : I have no idea, we will see.

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

MS : Currently there is an exhibition in a shop in Berlin/Germany. The next will be hold at the Tianjin International Design Week in May 2017 in Tianjin/China. My products are a part of the touring exhibition Handmade 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?

MS : I do not have sources of inspiration. Inspiration you can find everywhere.

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?

MS : If you have a look to my designs the first thing you will recognize that every product is straight-lined whereby you get it. Pureness and clarity.

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?

MS : I live in a small village in the country in the South of the black forest near Freiburg in Germany. It is a good location because it is located in the triangle Germany, Switzerland and France. Thereby I have influences of three countries.

DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

MS : The companies should feel concerned of the design language of a designer. The rest will work out by itself.

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

MS : I am starting with the idea in my brain, … , and at the end you have the real product in front of you!

DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

MS : I am very frugal, the only real design item at home is an Eames chair but I have a lot of mine.

DI: Can you describe a day in your life?

MS : I am a human being with its own habits.

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

MS : I am a young, up and coming designer. I am still searching for the pearls of wisdom for myself.

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

MS : I don't know what is positive or negative of being a designer. I am happy of being a designer. You do not have fixed working hours, but you can be creative for 24 hours a day!

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

MS : Be honest.

DI: What skills are most important for a designer?

MS : As a designer you have to be open minded.

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

MS : I use all kinds of equipment. Paper and pencil, hand tools and machinery as well as modern software such as CAD/CAM an 3D. But from my roots I am a craftsmen and I like the physical way of designing.

DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?

MS : You have to find the balance for yourself. A day has 24 hours.

DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?

MS : That is an unanswerable question! There are too many variables effecting a process.

DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?

MS : In terms of my products the most frequently asked question is: how and why dös it work.

DI: What was your most important job experience?

MS : It was a pleasure for me and very impressive to work together with Joseph Walsh.

DI: Who are some of your clients?

MS : Most are private clients with individual and unique pieces. One client is Zepé in Italy.

DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?

MS : There are no restrictions. I am open for everything.

DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?

MS : Working more in free-forms with solid wood.

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

MS : In my studio I am working by myself, but I like and enjoy it to work in a team.

DI: How can people contact you?

MS : In general people contacting me wie Email. It is also possible to visit me. Everyone is welcome to visit me in my workshop.