Here, we ask designers to take a selfie and give us an inside look at their life.
Age: A few years over 20.
Occupation: Designer.
Instagram: @bohincstudio
Hometown: I now live in London but am originally from Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Studio location: London.
Describe what you make: After a decade-long stint working for Cartier and other luxury brands exploring sculpture through jewelry, I embarked upon creating functional pieces for living. In 2016, I founded Bohinc Studio, exploring furniture and object design. My design practice is rooted in a deep respect for the traditional principles of craft, drawing on my knowledge of industrial techniques and fusing modernity of style with function. Materiality is hugely important to our designs and each of our pieces is created in a variety of natural materials, including stone, glass, ceramics, wood, wool and predominantly metal.
The most important thing you’ve designed to date: Every project I have worked on has been of significant importance for many different reasons. In 2017, I was commissioned by Kensington and Chelsea council to create the Friendship Bench for the Golborne Forum London. In 2017, I participated in a residency in Wajima, Japan where I worked with a small community of Urushi craftsmen to create works that were exhibited at Gallery Fumi for the London Design Festival the following year.
I have also been fortunate to collaborate with some incredible brands. In 2018, I designed a collection called “From the Sun to the Moon” for Swedish rug manufacturer Kasthall. This collection was a finalist in the 2019 NYCxDesign Awards. This January, I designed the Moonrise collection for Brooklyn lighting company Roll & Hill.
Describe the problem your work solves: Our designs aim to reignite a passion for traditional craft techniques and enhance these with innovative technologies. I believe this vital combination of techniques will not only help communities but also the environment.
Our pieces marry innovation with craft, combining contemporary industrial techniques of laser and waterjet cutting, CNC milling, spark eroding and computer modelling with ancient craft techniques of metal forming, glass blowing, ceramic casting and urushi making. We only work with small artisanal workshops in Europe, where teams are treated fairly and respectfully and using only responsible production practices.
Describe the project you are working on now: This week, I’ll be exhibiting my new body of work, “Afternoon Tea,” as part of the Curio program at Design Miami/. It’s my first solo exhibition in the U.S. I designed ‘Afternoon Tea’ during the early part of the pandemic, which was at times so lonely and uncertain. I missed the company of family and friends and I realized I wanted to create pieces that made you feel loved, cocooned and happy. I also wanted to create pieces that look like they are good enough to eat. These new works are sculpted as functional fantasies, taking inspiration from sweet tactile rituals of “Afternoon Tea,” hence the title of the exhibition and the body of work. From Dec. 1–5, at booth C08, we’ll be exhibiting five pieces from the Afternoon Tea collection: Profiterole Table, Kipferl Desk, Patisserie Table, Afternoon Chair, and the Kissing Armchair.
A new or forthcoming project we should know about: Once we return from Miami, we will continue our work on a new collection launching next spring at Milan Design Week.
What you absolutely must have in your studio: My cats! I have four cats and they love coming to the studio. They are gorgeous, very cuddly, and create a great atmosphere. Apart from that, English breakfast tea with soy milk on tap and NTS radio nonstop.
What you do when you’re not working: Live life! I spend time with family and friends, I see inspiring works of art and music, I take baths, I exercise, I cook, I meditate, I laugh, and I have fun.
Sources of creative envy: Silver teapot designed by Marianne Brandt for the Bauhaus. I wish I had designed it myself.
The distraction you want to eliminate: The news. I read the news every morning and I am not sure it is doing me any good.
Concrete or marble? Marble.
High-rise or townhouse? Townhouse.
Remember or forget? Remember.
Aliens or ghosts? Aliens.
Dark or light? Light.
