We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative gunther pelgrims ("GP").
Gunther Pelgrims (1980) is a Belgian designer passioned about working with wood. His passion for wood started very early resulting in his daily profession as interior woodworker. His extended experience in fabricating high-end, made to measure interiors has given him all skills and know-how to express his creativity into his own designs. All of his creations exudes “true” craftmanship and are born from the desire to make unique and functional objects with a modern twist. By using pure and naturel materials Pelgrims’ designs are timeless and universal.
gunther pelgrims Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by gunther pelgrims.
gunther pelgrims Design - Osker Armchair
Designer Interview of gunther pelgrims:
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?
GP : I don't really have a background or training as a designer. Rather it is something that was created by passion and my profession as a furniture / cabinet maker.
DI: What is "design" for you?
GP : Design for me is something in which you can generate a certain emotion in people with an object.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
GP : furniture, accessories and lighting
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
GP : wood and upholstery
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
GP : when I'm traveling, and during quiet times of the day.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
GP : I always try to put my focus in something recognizable, such as a structure or a pattern.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
GP : A mix from a relaxed feeling to a hunger for more.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
GP : A proud feeling.
DI: What makes a design successful?
GP : For me a design is already successful when people start talking about it and it becomes recognizable.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
GP : The aesthetic element of the object.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
GP : For my designs this can be from objects that I encounter when I am on the road to just something that arises in my own world of thought.
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?
GP : I would describe my design style as rather sober but still elegant with the necessary attention to the recognition of the object.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
GP : that I would like to buy it for myself and that it can be used
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
GP : creative, little technical insight and 3D drawing experience
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
GP : I usually try to design in the evening, also because designing is not my main occupation at the moment. in the evening I also find all the rest that is needed to bring this to a successful conclusion
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
GP : It is difficult to give a definitive answer to this. some designs take time to mature and are still regularly adjusted until they are really to my liking. this is about designs without a time limit and without a customer. Other designs immediately come to life on the drawing board as I had it in my head for some time and usually not much changes over time
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
GP : Can you tell something about your design
DI: What was your most important job experience?
GP : a collaboration with Boffi / Depadova
DI: Who are some of your clients?
GP : Boffi/Depadova
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
GP : Ideally, I would like to design furniture or accessories, because this is most close to my daily work as a furniture maker.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
GP : recently i was in contact by a furniture brand to design a collection like a table and chair etc.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
GP : I develop my designs by myself
DI: How can people contact you?
GP : info@gunther-pelgrims.be