Leaving sketches behind: Martin Larsson

Name: Martin Viktor Anders Larsson

Age: 22 

Hometown: Jakobstad, Finland

Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

I grew up in a small, seashore town called Jakobstad, in Western Finland. I had a good and peaceful childhood, like the most of us I think; running around in forests, teasing my brother and my sister, playing on playgrounds and so on. Ever since I could hold a pen in my hand I've been drawing. The most likely reason why I got "stuck" in drawing was my grandmother; she mostly painted landscapes, but drew and wrote a couple of poems as well; you could say that she was an artist. Every time she and my grandfather came to visit us, I sat in her lap, or beside her at the kitchen table, and we drew together. So, ever since this, drawing and painting have been two of my hobbies and interests.

 



Self-portrait



What got you interested in studying furniture design?

In my last year in high school I started to think about my future, which school I should try to apply to. I got more and more interested in culture, art and architecture, so one of my relatives suggested that I should continue my studies at the upper secondary school, and so I did. At that time I wanted to become an architect and my goal was to apply to the Aalto University. However, my dreams and plans went downhill because of my bad mathematic skills.  

 

Even though my dream of studying at Aalto University didn't become reality, I still wanted to study and do something in the creative field, something where you hold a pen in your hand, so to say. So, one day one of my teachers suggested that I should try to apply to the design program at Novia University of Applied Sciences in Turku. So I did and here I am! I must admit that I was slightly sceptical at first, but as soon as I began my studies, it got more and more interesting and I got more and more positive towards this line of work.   

You as a designer / What kind of jobs interest you?

It's a bit early to say, at this stage. I have a small feeling that I'm quite traditional, even slightly conservative at some points. But, at the same time, I'm still open and like to pick up modern expressions and new ways of thinking, which you have to be these days, in my opinion.

What kind of jobs interests me then? To be honest I haven't thought that much about it, but I could imagine myself working with industrial design and / or with interior design in the future.       

From what angle will you be approaching the theme "Senses"?

My concept is that I'm going to "fool the eye", so to say. The frame on the sofa table that I'm making has a twisted look; at the same time it's symmetric it's also non-symmetric, which makes it more interesting. It's also a combination between the straight, traditional lines and the twisted, modern ones.
 





Sofa table Nr 8

What do you hope for or expect from Stockholm Furniture Fair 2015?

Firstly to get more experience in this line of work, to see how people respond and what they expect from you. Secondly to get contacts, of course. To make friendships that you can build on, which hopefully leads to working partners one day. 

Can you name a piece of furniture that has made an impression on you and why?

It's quite hard to put your finger on it, but maybe Arne Jacobsen's Swan chair. It has a smooth and elegant look, I like the way the lines flows around.

   



Leaving sketches behind: Casper Tuomaala

Name: Casper Zacharias Tuomaala

Age: 24

Hometown: I grew up in Ekenäs, Finland, but I suppose I'd call Turku my home these days.

Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

A difficult question to answer, but I'll try to portrait myself through a few key interests of mine.The first that comes to mind is balance and bodily control, for which I get an outlet through skateboarding and perhaps through dancing whenever I hear a bass line I can't resist. A balanced mind is essential for me as well. I'm not saying I've found perfect harmony yet, but I'll get back to you one day as my hairs turn grey.

Another essential aspect of my life is creativity and aesthetics. Being creative, be it by telling jokes or by making concept designs for toothbrushes or park benches, gives me a sense of fulfillment. My creativity is inspired by most anything, ranging from technical solutions of other people, to various natural phenomena.

Human relationships and social interaction is also of utmost importance to me. No less so when it comes to problem solving within design. I find that when designing, there is no substitute for the combination dialogue and wine.

A self portrait from my optical experiments towards the fair

What got you interested in studying furniture design?

A realization that a school program focusing on the creative arts would be the perfect environment to mature as an artist in general. Studying design also prompts me to channel my creativity on something concrete. I come from a lineage of woodworkers, and so my choice of studying furniture design was also a kind of tribute to my ancestors.

You as a designer / What kind of jobs interest you?

Having been engaged in design for only a few years, it's hard to point out any particular style of mine. I am however intrigued by minimalism, warmth, organic shapes and lasting impressions.

I find excess to be the #1 problem facing (furniture)design. New objects are continuously being spat out into a world already overburdened. This however, I believe cannot be the end of the art form - there must be a way around it. For instance, one could design user experiences for exhibitions, perhaps with philosophical backgrounds, rather than make contributions to the world's dumping grounds.

From what angle will you be approaching the theme "Senses"?

I've chosen to focus on the visual sense, or rather on fooling the visual sense. E.g. I've drawn inspiration from the way liquids distort light.

What do you hope for or expect from Stockholm Furniture Fair 2015?

Mostly, I hope I'll make some new friends. I'm also convinced the whole experience will bring many important lessons.

Can you name a piece of furniture that has made an impression on you and why?

I have a secret spot in Turku. It's in the river bank facing the afternoon sun, and in this spot there are many large stones. I found that if you lie down on 7 particular stones, you get perfect support for all key parts of your body. This group of stones is the most impressive sun chair I've come across. I'm thinking of painting them (don't tell the police!).