We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Álvaro Wolmer ("W").
Alvaro Wolmer is a conceptual artist and designer. He runs a woodworking shop since 1985 where he makes his own creations and the works of other contemporary artists, architects and designers from Brazil and abroad - Iran do Espirito Santo, Nelson Leirner, Regina Silveira, Guto Lacaz, Raphaël Zarka, Liliana Porter, Marcio Kogan and Isay Weinfeld, among others.
Álvaro Wolmer Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Álvaro Wolmer.
Álvaro Wolmer Design - Bengalas Walking Sticks
Álvaro Wolmer Design - Depois de Waldemar Cordeiro Lamp
Álvaro Wolmer Design - Cadeira Chair
Designer Interview of Álvaro Wolmer:
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?
W : I have been designing and making all kinds of things since I was a child. My father had a small set of woodworking tools and used to make some toys for me. He was my first teacher. That was my starting point.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
W : I founded a woodworking shop in 1985, and worked alone for 10 years making custom fine furniture. I worked for architects and for artists making their (and mine) creations.
DI: What is "design" for you?
W : Design is the materialization of an idea reduced to its fundaments - yes, I am a minimalist.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
W : I have no preference.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
W : The wheel is my favorite design.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
W : I do not design for companies.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
W : Wood, all kinds of metal, CNC machines.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
W : Under big pressure - pressure of any kind.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
W : Reducing the number of parts.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
W : Happiness,
DI: What makes a design successful?
W : Usefulness.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
W : The form, the number of parts.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
W : All of us, no matter the profession, have the same responsabilities regarding the society an environment. The basic point: things must change dramatically or the human especie is in danger.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
W : The nature must be respected - that changes everything from now on.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
W : I never had a solo exhibition and I am not concerned about it.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
W : I try to solve any kind of daylife problems. Some of them are related to design.
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?
W : Minimalist. Long lasting solutions.
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?
W : I live in Brazil. Yes, the cultural heritage of my country affects my designs and I love Brazil very much. The shape of Brazil is a recurrent theme of my creations.
DI: How do you work with companies?
W : I do not.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
W : Second question: try to find a designer that has a work related to the company's products. First question: A company, any, must have a clear focus. That's the departing point to a conversation with all the people linked to the company.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
W : When I first find, let's say, a cause, I start to search all about the field - the existing solutions, the used materials. At the same time I start do make sketches and 3D models, if it is the case - many models.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
W : Some coat hangers (my design), a red Kennedy Tool Box, the doors hinges, a hammock, an Aeron chair, all the furniture (my furniture).
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
W : Very early I leave my house to have a breakfast in a coffee shop - 365 days a year. Then I go to my woodworking shop, where I spend all day. I almost always lunch alone. At 5 pm I go home and stay with my wife and son. A very simple life.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
W : Make things from scratch. Deal with all kinds of materials.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
W : Positives: many. Negatives: none.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
W : Be simple, the most you can.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
W : General culture, knowledge of methods and materials, knowledge of technics of construction related to every material.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
W : I have a woodworking and metal shop, which helps a lot. I also have two very skilled artisans, master woodworkers that work with me for 23 and 30 years.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
W : It's a really consuming task that I love - I really like to create something from scratch.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
W : Months in some cases, years (one or two) in others.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
W : How much time do you need to find a solution for the problem?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
W : Find forms to tranform an artist's idea to an object. I colaborate with important Brazilian an foreign artists. In some cases I found the definitive form to the artist.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
W : Brazilian and foreigner architects, designers and artists.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
W : I like to solve difficult problems, no matter what.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
W : I am considering to move to a small city - I live in Sao Paulo - and open a small store to sell my design.
DI: How can people contact you?
W : By e-mail: a@alvarowolmer.com.br
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
W : No, thanks.