Here, we ask designers to take a selfie and give us an inside look at their life.
Age: 34
Occupation: Designer.
Instagram: @maxzinser + @zinser.studio
Hometown: Washington, DC.
Studio location: Brooklyn.
Describe what you make: Narrative-driven interiors and furniture.
The most important thing you’ve designed to date: My most recent furniture collection, Monument. My animalistic pieces are the culmination of the lessons I’ve learned thus far in my design career and a reflection of what I want to put into the world: light-hearted yet luxurious work that tells a story and empowers people. Monument is an ode to many things, but first and foremost it celebrates the connection we have as humans to our environment, animals, and ultimately each other. Ancient Egyptians thought that people could assume the power of an animal carved into a piece of furniture; I feel similarly about our ability to find power in everything around us so long as our eyes and hearts can be open. I hope that my designs and story empower people to live more aware and connected to their worlds.
Describe the problem your work solves: I find that many people are disconnected from their environments, whether it be their homes and the furniture and objects therein or other inhabited spaces—including nature. Part of my design process involves telling a story so people can feel connected to their surroundings. Our physical environments have such a huge impact on our daily lives; I think people can live better if they understand their spaces as part of the story of their lives.
Describe the project you are working on now: I’m currently installing a store for a denim company in LA. Usually fashion brands have muses whose worlds we think about and design into. This project involved deep research into California mid-century architecture and furniture—we wanted to create a contemporary space that celebrated this Modernist way of living.
A new or forthcoming project we should know about: My life is full of NDAs!
What you absolutely have to have in your studio: Freedom. Some days work flows freely, others it’s like pulling teeth. Recognizing that my time is sometimes better put to use seeing a gallery show or exercising has made my studio time more efficient—there’s nothing worse than sitting at your desk not doing anything!
What you do when you’re not working: Dreaming.
Sources of creative envy: Grey, Dunand, Legrain, Rietveld, Chareau, Hoffmann, Sornay, Judd, Coard, and on and on…
The distraction you want to eliminate: I spend too much time on Instagram. My feed is primarily interior design content and somehow my discover page is full of cute animals so it’s hard for me to quit. I feel most fulfilled on the days when I’m so present that I forget to pick up my phone.
Concrete or marble? I have a soft spot for Brutalism… Concrete.
High-rise or townhouse? The human scale of a townhouse.
Remember or forget? Remember. There’s so much we can learn from the past.
Aliens or ghosts? Aliens.
Dark or light? Can’t have one without the other.
