++cataci.com topics/Ann Wåhlström++

PD: What do you think about the relationship between design and function? Is functionality very important for you?

AW:I work a lot with glass. Some glasses are decorative and they are only for eyes. If I can choose, I would like to work with something very functional on one end and very decorative on the other end. Sometimes it lands in the middle. Some producers want both. One should not exclude the other, of course. At the same time, if it is only functional it can be so simple and a laboratory product.

PD: It seems that Swedish design is more functional than design-oriented.

AW: Yes and no. Quite a lot of decoration, too. But there is always very clean design. Now it is going away a bit from the very clean design. I like both! (laughs)

PD: What do you think about the relationship between commercialism and design? Design is often measured by commercial success. Do you think that good design should be popular?

AW: I don't think it is really a problem if it should be popular or not. But I don't think it makes it better by selling a lot. I think better products are often a little more subtle. Judging design is always very individual - there are always lots of discussions going on.

PD: Do you think that exclusivity is necessary in design? Or do you think that design should be shared by everyone?

AW: Look at this clip. This is a design as well. Not exclusive. I think good design should be shared by everyone.

PD: But in general, some products are only for rich people. For example, if you look at the pieces of furniture at the furniture fairs, they are all quite expensive. Average people would rather go to IKEA...

AW: That's a problem, of course. I think it is sad that people go to IKEA and buy a copy.

PD: Design doesn't have to be exclusive, but at the same time a lot of design products become exclusive in the end - because people want something unique.

AW: Yes, if you want limited edition products, for example, products get very expensive.

PD: What do you think about the current development of design? The way design products are made has been changing as well. It seems that as technology is developing, people are using computers in design. Do you think that design is developing in a certain direction?

AW:I think there are two things going on. One is the continuation of the history. That includes lots of knowledge about materials. The other one is more like fashion - trends.

PD: When I interviewed Jonas Bohlin, he said that he doesn't go to furniture fairs because he feels like nothing has changed - everything is more or less the same as fifty years ago. Then, I thought that maybe design is something repetitive, that nothing is really changing, that there might not be any developments of design...

AW: Probably it is partly true. For example, when I go to Milano Salone, I only remember maybe five things when I go home. That is amazing considering the size of the fair. Sometimes, I wonder if I should make more things, if maybe the world has seen it....

PD: If you find a new material never used before, or a new technology, then maybe you can design something totally new.

AW: Yes. With new materials and technology, there is a development or change in design. For example, we started using plastic a lot, and that can be a development.