Jaime Hayon

[B]How does your culture/background affect the designs your work? [/B]

I think that your cultural/background has a great deal to do with who you are. One’s identity is a mix between background and life journey. My work is very personal and it comes from who I am and what I have learnt in my path.

[B]Do you believe that heritage is an important part of design? [/B]

I am a true believer in tradition and history as I adore great craftsmanship. I believe that pieces that don’t tell a story, are meaningless. This, however, does not mean one should disregard new technology and materials. On the contrary: in order to come up with a good interpretation of the right now, I think it is essential that one keeps an eye on the past and the other on the future.

[B]Is the use of natural materials important to you? [/B]

Along with weakness for tradition and history, lies my passion for natural materials. For me, they are the most beautiful materials: they have quality and breathe personality. Then again, I’m also very interested in combining natural with very hi-tech materials as the effects are often riveting.

[B]Do you have a favourite place for inspiration for both products and materials?[/B]

The best place for inspiration is nature. However unfortunately, I do not get my escapes as often as I would like. Fortunately, inspiration is not a problem (at least not for now) as my mind is very inquisitive mind and I can be very creative even if I end up drawing in coffee shops and airports instead of facing the beautiful endless sea.

[B]Where do you see the future of design/the beds of the future?[/B]

Mark my words, much evolution awaits these essential pieces of our lives. Considering we spend a third of our day sleeping, we will probably have to make beds much more personal and comfortable: they should be our hidden treasure that we can’t wait to get back to.

[B]Describe the bed of your dreams?[/B]

The bed of my dreams has all he qualities that help you dream the most amazing dreams. A nurturing cocoon, a rocking ride, a velvety essence…

[B]How did you come up with your concept for this project?[/B]

My concept was quite simple: a dream of sketches of pieces that could fill the setting for a dream.

[B]You are an artist as well as a designer; do you think this helps you understand the craft and personal care that goes into making Hästens’ Vividus bed?[/B]

Appreciation of quality comes from a third eye; one can feel it whether one is an artist or a designer.

[B]You have often been credited with bringing a sense of play and imagination to the rigid design world, why do you think this is so important? [/B]

Play is essential, otherwise we’d be bored to death and everything would be grey. I enjoy humour, lightness and beauty as well as irony and plain fantasy. The combination of all of these is normally fascinating to me.

[B]Like Hästens, whose beds are always made to order, much of your work is one-offs. How does working on an individual piece compare to that of mass production?[/B]

Custom made or one-offs imply an appreciation of individuality that I find essential. People want to have special things that speak about their personalities and tastes.

Also, one-offs are important as they can transport us to experiences that can’t be applied in the very restricted world of production.

10 December 2008 | Design