The base of Monica Förster Design Studio is based on ideas and concepts however the expression of the studio belongs to a heritage of Swedish and Scandinavian design that goes back to the 30's with the Stockholm exhibition and Gunnar Asplund. A kind of soft humanistic minimalism combined with functionality.
● We know that you studied advertisement & graphic design at Beckmans College of Design. How did you decide to get into product design? How did you found your studio?
I started out with a small exhibition right after school exhibiting an experiment. The lamp experiment was the silicon lamp. That was picked up by a producer and exhibited in Milano. That is how my career got started.
The studio was founded in 1999. The main focus is to work from idea and concept. Usually the shape, colour and material adapts to strengthen the idea. Then I continued my studies at Konstfack with interior and product design.
Woman effect in general is then maybe more relevant as I think the design world is probably following the rest of the society. Of course, the more women in leading positions the more influence in society and of course also in the design world
● What is your design philosophy? How does your education affect your approach?
When I meet a client, I start with listening into the design philosophy and understanding the history of the company. Then I try to move it forward. The base of Monica Förster Design Studio is based on ideas and concepts however the expression of the studio belongs to a heritage of Swedish and Scandinavian design that goes back to the 30´s with the Stockholm exhibition and Gunnar Asplund. A kind of soft humanistic minimalism combined with functionality. It is also an expression that is long lasting and note based on trends. It is soft but still stringent.
● How does your design process work?
First I meet with the client, preferably at the company site to understand the feeling and see the production. Then the studio is briefed and the process starts in the studio. It is an organic process the goes between the designers and me as creative director.
● The more effective the women are in business and economy, the more we encounter effects and trends which focus on women in many fields from product designs to company policies. (The changing in understanding of design and aesthetics is also in the same direction. Sharp edged, firm lines are giving place to oval and smooth lines. Do you agree with this opinion?) As both user and designer, what would you like to say about women’s effect, place and power in design world?
Woman effect in general is then maybe more relevant as I think the design world is probably following the rest of the society. Of course, the more women in leading positions the more influence in society and of course also in the design world.
What we can see is a network of women building up and of course since all collaborations also are built on trust it is then more natural to bring in someone you know or has met in different occasions.
● Can you tell us what you have been working on recently and what are their prominent features?
Right now we are working on next Cologne, Stockholm, Milano and New York fair 2017. We are also working for releases for 2018. It will be furniture, lighting and objects from long lasting relations but also from some new.
● Finally, what advice would you give to the people who wants to build a career in this field?
Work hard in the combination with new ideas.
