++cataci.com topics/Simplicitas++

Thomas Dahlgren is the business mind behind Simplicitas, which he has been operating since 1995. His genuine interest in forms and techniques, which intensified during his years in school, became more apparent when he specialised in the study and design of fast, planing sailboats. "Simplicity based on intelligent solutions" has always been a cornerstone of the company. For Simplicitas, it is a question of offering well-designed durable products, which are elegant, simple and intelligent.

Awards_ Epistola, the letter balance (Excellent Swedish Design award, 1995/Design Plus award, 1997)
Candela, the candle holder (Excellent Swedish Design award, 1997)
Lamina, the cheese slicer (Excellent Swedish Design award, 1998)
Veritas, the unbreakable mirror (Excellent Swedish Design award, 1998)
Futura, the stress-free cufflinks (Excellent Swedish Design award, 2000)

Style-pd(PD): What does "simplicitas" mean?

Thomas Dahlgren(TD): It is a Latin word meaning "simple".

PD: Why do you like simple things?

TD: There are some things that are made so well… cleverly made. I think that the simpler they are, the more clever they are. Of course, they have to be functional. I often think things are all made too complicated. Not only designers, but technicians as well tend to make things complicated.

PD: Even in Sweden? Sweden is often thought of as a country that likes "simple".

TD:It has been minimalistic. That was fashionable only for the past 5-8 years or so.

PD:I wonder if this really is a trend. I thought that Swedes always loved simple things.

TD:In general, I suppose Swedes like simple things. Due to the economy in the past, we didn't have much to decorate furniture and so on. Swedes were not as rich as the French and Italians. We didn't have much money to make things so complicated. So we made something affordable.

PD:But was Sweden so poor?

TD: Yes, Sweden was a very poor country in the 19th-century, and it has been quite poor for a long time. "Simplicity" came from that. Also, King Karl XII was very close to his soldiers and his people. He was a king who did not segregate himself from his subjects, which is an attitude that is very much part of the Swedish mentality. That means that the simple way of living has prevailed in all segments of the society. Simplicity has something to do with it.

PD: I think it is really interesting that being simple comes from being poor and more economical. I never thought of it that way, but I suppose it is true.

TD: I think it is part of the truth.

PD: Japanese people like simple and minimalistic things as well. Maybe this has something to do with the economy, since Japan used to be a poor country.

PD:I think being minimal and simple is very popular in many countries. My impression is that a lot of designers are trying to do the same thing. So I feel like it is getting competitive. If everyone does something similar, it gets harder. How do you try to distinguish yourself from others?