How does it feel to have your piece of design showcased in the Design Museum permanent collection, sitting alongside classic pieces of designs that inspired you?
I feel very honoured for Migo to be chosen as part of the permanent collection of the tDM. The chair marks a moment in time, the start of the COVID pandemic. I hope it will inspire and cause debate just like the other pieces among the collection have inspired myself and my process.
First prototype
Can you talk us through the creative process behind this piece of design? How did Covid-19 influence your working routine?
Migo was designed during the first lockdown in 2020 and reflects upon the situation we all experienced. It was designed at home, partly involving my family in the creative process, testing the concepts together. It stands for this time of uncertainty, where nothing was really clear and defined. It serves as an adapter for the various tasks to perform during the day, wether it being a place to sit, perch or used as a side table. You can use it in various ways, there is no front or back, no right or wrong. Ultimately it’s a companion or a friendly little helper. It is also meant to be used as a tool for debates, contemplating on our future, while keeping distance.
Sketches
How did you get into design? Give us 3 tips to share with rising designers that would like to start their own creative business.
I remember strolling through my father's architecture books and noticing “Chair One” by Konstantin Grcic. It was an early encounter with design that inspired me to find out more. Since then, my studies and career have led me to different countries and helped to understand the diverse perspectives and cultures of design. My choice has been to be curious, learn and work with professionals before starting on my own. For me understanding the business means to acknowledge the immense responsibility that designers have when creating a new piece. I want to work with the industry and change it from within. I am pushing myself to be humble and patient, slowly working towards achieving my dreams.
Migo
What the future holds for you? A dream project you would like to research and/or do?
I think design has a huge role to play in our future and we should participate in making it a better place. My dream project is to help companies change their products, processes, and sales structures towards a more circular and sustainable economy. Design doesn't always mean to create new things, we could update, upgrade or recycle first. Objects can tell stories and create a long lasting personal bond. This is what I aim to achieve in my design.
Tell us something surprising about yourself and a reason why we should check out your work
My work is often based on cultural exchange. With a dear friend, Nikita Bhate, we founded SĀR studio, a furniture editor based in Pune, creating essential objects that tell stories about Indian culture. We aim to make fair, flat-pack products that retain traditions but convert them into authentic contemporary design. To do so, we visit all corners of India to discover forgotten crafts and their makers. We invite designers from around the world to participate in the conversation and share their unique perspectives.