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!).