Name: Stephan Schulz

Born: Schwerin, 1983

Studies:
2003-2009  Industrial Design, Burg Giebichenstein, Halle
2007-2008 Erasmus studies at the Design Academy Eindhoven

Internships: 2008 Bellini Design Studio, Milan

Products:
Stellvertreter for Nils Holger Moormann, Aschau im Chiemgau
Concrete bowl series “frisch ausgeschalt” for Betoniu, Leipzig

Stephan Schulz

(smow)blog: Why Industrial Design?
Stephan Schulz: It sort of just developed. I’ve always built things and experimented with different materials, and everything somehow came together. I’ve always had this need to create things and to work with objects.

(smow)blog: Any particular influences on your development?
Stephan Schultz: As a designer you are always influenced, much of it subconscious. I think its fair to say that my generation, at least here in Germany, has been influenced by Konstantin Grcic. Although in design influences are necessarily always positive. The first time I was really aware of design was Bauhaus, especially the work from Mies van der Rohe. But I honestly couldn’t hold one person up as an influence.

(smow)blog: Why did you decide to study at Burg Giebichenstien?
Stephan Schulz: It was one of the first colleges I applied to. I passed the test, the school has a good reputation and the town itself appealed to me.

(smow)blog: You are now finished with your studies, have taken up a studio here in Design Haus Halle, do you plan to remain here in Halle?
Stephan Schulz: Initially yes. On the one hand here I have the opportunity to use the college workshops, and on the other if I was to go elsewhere I would never find a studio as cheap as here in the Design Haus. Also here I have my network of contacts which at this stage in my career makes everything much simpler. That said I’m not permanently fixed to Halle, not least because I’m not from here.

Stellvertreter by Stephan Schulz for Moormann

(smow)blog: You are still at the start of your career, but what is the highpoint thus far?
Stephan Schulz:
[laughs]
I really am at the very beginning, but the highpoint is definitely the coat rack from Moormann [Stellvertreter]. I completed my degree three months ago and last year during my studies brought a product on the market with a producer. And yeah that is the highpoint.

(smow)blog: And how did your concrete bowl end up in the Vitra Design Museum Exhibition “The Essence of Things. Design and the Art of Reduction”?
Stephan Schulz: Martin Hartung, one of the Vitra Design Museum curators saw it in another exhibition, liked it and included it. [laughs] Sometimes it really is that simple.

(smow)blog:When we think about your concrete bowl, on your clay panels or your wood and china articles. Do you like working and experimenting with different materials?
Stephan Schulz: Definitely. I couldn’t specialise on just one material and say I’m only going to work with china, or I’m only going to work with concrete. For me that is the most interesting on industrial design, that you can go in any direction and experiment as and when you want.

(smow)Blog: And in general, where do you see your future?
Stephan Schulz: I have specialised on furniture and interior products and want to develop in that direction. I don’t want to just make individual objects, I also want to create products for series production.  As a designer you have the need to show that what you create works, also in terms of producibility. That the market is currently over saturated many designers are currently going in a more artistic, experimental direction. It’s part of the job and often the first step, but my goal is to bring products to the market that people are happy to buy.

Concrete bowl by Stephan Schulz for betonui

(smow)blog: In that context, as a young designer, how do you reach producers?
Stephan Schulz:It’s difficult. I don’t really know. Obviously you go to exhibitions as the principle method of exposing your work to the public, but it is very difficult. With Nils Holger Moormann I showed him the product and he liked it. Which is obviously the perfect scenario. But such is also the exception, and the next 10 times it wont work.
It’s a long hard road. And the biggest problem is that there is no marked paths. No one can tell you how you should proceed or how you should approach a producer. It’s a long hard road.

(smow)blog: Then good luck!

More information on Stephan Schulz can be found at at studio-stephanschulz.com/

Comfy Cargo Chair by Stephan Schulz: An empty frame you can fill according to mood and situation

Foam soft pad chair by Stephan Schulz

Bone china jugs by Stephan Schulz

Tischlader by Stephan Schulz

The theme of the 2010 Designpreis Halle is and was “travel”

For us travelling to Halle has a special meaning as in a previous life we used to regularly travel to Halle, experience all sorts of perverse inhumane horrors and then travel back to Leipzig glad – once again – to have escaped from the banks of the Saale with our lives.

That was then.

But since then not only has our life changed but we now see and understand Halle in a completely different light.

Thanks largely to another tour; this one along the River Saale on a tourist boat.

But also due to the fact that our new life that has seen us travel away from destructive genius and onto creative talent.

“Long-term Halle an der Saale should become the German Design City and a source of inspiration for design globally”

A couple of years ago we would have laughed out loud at Designpreis Halle President Prof Dr Peter Heimann’s opening speech

But not now.
With Burg Giebichenstein Halle has one of the continually best design colleges in Germany, with the Design Haus Halle one of the most targeted attempts to keep young talent near their former college while supporting and helping them as they establish their careers.

2010 Designpreis Halle: There's that Hallenser design spirit out and about again

And with the Designpreis Halle an international design prize that attracts entries from across the creative disciplines: We’re not saying all finalists appeal to all tastes – but there is something for everyone.

166 entries from 13 nations were submitted for the Designpreis Halle 2010 from which the jury, including Nils Holger Moormann and Axel Kufus, selected 19 for the final exhibition. And just as importantly 4 prize winners.

Fifteen students from the Fachhochschule Dortmund were awarded a special award fro their Cardboard suitcase, and two of their number, Daniel Behn and Clemens Müller, were also awarded a Special Recognition for their RESI “The suitcase that ensures safe travelling for Germans abroad”.

Suited case by Erik De Nijs Second place at Designpreis Halle 2010

Second place was awarded to Utrecht based designer Erik De Nijs for his “Suited Case” concept. Resembling Polder Sofa by Hella Jongerius for Vitra, “Suited Case” is a range of suitcases that can double up as seating. We’re fairly certain no airline could get the individual elements from A to B without damaging them; however, decisive was not the product but the concept. For all the attempt to bring a little privacy and domesticity to the stress of travel as well as the interaction between the different elements of a normal travellers luggage impressed the judges

First prize went to Eindhoven based designer Guy Königstein for his animated film “Die Rückreise” in which through his relatives memories he, literally, threads together the story of his family and as such also his own past.

Nomads wardrobe by Matthias Baumecker - for us worthy of a mention

For us a further entry that is more than worthy of a mention is Nomad’s Wardrobe by Matthias Baumecker, a travel wardrobe concept we can well imagine combining with Vitra’s Chairless chair concept.

Set in old tram wagons, under UV light in a historic tram depot, the Designpreis Halle exhibition is one of the more creative and imaginative exhibitions of recent time; and a convincing argument for the talent in Halle.

And as the next logical step Halle must ensure that Designers Open moves from Leipzig to Halle.

We remain unconvinced if on its own Halle really can establish itself as a creative center. For us such is only really possible in collaboration with Dessau/Roßlau/Bitterfeld/Wolfen; ignoring Bauhaus just seems wrong somehow.

Aside from the unnecessary competition created by having two design centres a short bike ride from one another. Or, as the Designpreis Halle 2010 competently shows; others forms of travel are available.

Full details on the finalists and the exhibition can be found at Designpreis Halle 2010.

Desinpreis Halle 2010 winners - front left first prize winner Guy Königstein

Designpreis Halle: All roads lead to Giebichenstein

Designpreis Halle 2010

Design Haus Halle

This coming Sunday sees the awarding of the 2010 Designpreis Halle.

We know.

Designpreis.

Halle.

And no its not for the most passé tag scrawled with an Edding on the side of a deserted tenement.

For despite all stereotypes and preconceptions about “Chemie Halle”, scratch below the centuries of industrial pollution on the buildings you will find some true talent on the Saale.

One reason is Burg Giebichenstein, an art and design college that regularly produces high quality graduates.

Design Haus Halle

In an attempt to both help the graduates establish themselves professionally as well as to try to ensure they remain in the region, Burg Giebichenstein has recently opened the Design Haus Halle. Evolved from the Transfer Centre the Design Haus is akin to a “traditional” business start up centre and provides atelier and office space for creative types of all genres.

At the opening of the Design Haus Halle in April, (smow)blog spoke to the Director Doris Sossenheimer about the house and its aims.

(smow)blog: What are the principle functions of the Design Haus Halle?

Doris Sossenheimer: We offer assistance such as career service, mediation of projects or specialist training. The majority of “creatives” work freelance and so it is important that we support them in the early stages. In addition we offer events that aim to carry an understanding of “design” to both the wider public and industry. Sachsen Anhalt as a region is dependent to a great extent on capital goods and less so on consumer goods and in particular the intellectual good “design” is not as popular as , for example, in Baden Württemburg, Bayern or Nordrheinwestfalen. We hope to change that.
(smow)blog: Now that the Design Haus Halle is open, what is for you the first priority?

Doris Sossenheimer: First of all we need a little bit normality [Laughs] We are developing an events programme and where we also need to place an emphasis is on the development of an industry focused further training programme. In addition we are organising general events about design, what is design, how do I deal with designers or how can I explain to designers what I want?

Design Haus Halle: Helping graduates avoid the dangers of establishing their own companies

(smow)blog: Are there already plans for an extension of the field of activity of the Design Haus?

Doris Sossenheimer: No. At the moment we are at the very beginning and are focusing on successfully fulfilling our goals.

(smow)blog: One goal of Design Haus Halle is to establish Halle as a “Design Centre”, are you confident you can achieve that?

Doris Sossenheimer: Halle is already a Design Centre! In Halle we already have several design companies who regularly work for large firms. The Design Haus is an important institution in both strengthening Halle’s role in addition to providing a focal point for the creative industries.

(smow)blog: Is the Design Haus Halle fully rented or is there still space available?

Doris Sossenheimer: We are always open for applications and requests.

Design Haus Halle

Students.

Don’t ya just love ‘em!

Spend years studying and then….

Whereas most sociology, philosophy or art history students eventually end up working in banks, call centres or become King of England; the situation with design students is somewhat more complicated.

You don’t study design just for the sake of getting a qualification; you study design so that you can work as a designer.

Ideally an independent, freelance designer, controlling the entire process and developing your own ideas.

The trick is successfully negotiating the numerous steps from optimistic student over disillusioned almost there and onto experienced professional.

The Burg Giebechstein"Graduate" exhibition in the Design Haus Halle

Burg Giebichenstein College in Halle has responded to the problems by opening a start-up centre for designers, film-makers and other creative types: Design Haus Halle

In essence an extension of the existing “Transfer Centre”, the Design Haus Halle seeks to foster links between the graduates and industry, offer business skills training and generally provide a secure, supportive, base from which graduates can develop their careers.

Among the first Design Haus Halle tenants are “established” companies such as award winning textile designer Lydia in St. Petersburg, promising up and coming designers who have tasted their first successes including Stephan Schulz and those still taking their first tentative steps into the commercial world such as film makers Tim Romanowsky and Falk Schuster.

Design Haus Halle - Space is still available for rent

Each tenant has their own work space; however communal rooms allow for contact to the other tenants. And one of the real strengths of the project is the mix of specialisations and experience  – a situation that allows the tenants to learn from one another, make use of the services the others provide and develop the networks that they will need for a successful future.

The natural extension of this multidisciplinarianism and networking is also one of the principle, long-term, goals of the Design Haus Halle; namely, to offer Burg Giebichenstein students the chance to remain in Halle and so help strengthen Sachsen-Anhalt as a centre for the creative industries.

For although the region isn’t completely devoid of creative and artistic talent, it certainly isn’t one of the centres of such in Germany – and that despite it’s Bauhaus heritage

And Burg Giebichenstein.

As far as we are aware Design Haus Halle is one of the first such “creative start-up” centres and is certainly a much needed concept that we wish well.

Not least if it stops the drift of design students to design journalism.

More information can be found at http://www.designhaushalle.de/

Design Haus Halle - The spirit of design in Sachsen Anhalt