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Title_

Interview with Defyra

Day_	04/11/2003

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Haverinen: In Sweden, things are more focused on cities. People living in the cities. But we wanted to make this for everyone.

Hjert: Not just for rich people. Many people think that design is just for rich people living in a city. We have a concept that we want to give design to everyone. Of course, design products tend to get expensive, so it is not so easy, but we are conscious of designing for everyone.

Style-pd:You have been getting a lot of attention both in Sweden and Japan lately. What makes your design appealing to so many people?

Hjert: We are still working hard to produce something good. I think that in Sweden, those who are studying design go to school until around 30 years old, so you just don't see other people younger than us. What part of design is appealing? It is squirrels' fault! (laughs) [Their latest piece of furniture features squirrels]

Style-pd: People think that Swedish design is "simple and practical". Do you think about that when you design?

Lang: Maybe not simple, but probably our furniture is practical. But this is not a criterion for us.

Style-pd: One of the biggest issues faced by designers is the balance between design and function. Even if a table looks really cool, it has to work well and be comfortable enough to use. Do you think it is difficult finding this balance?

Hjert: It is quite hard to get the balance, but the first thing we care about is to make something practical, so it has to be easy and comfortable to use.

Haverinen: I think that we think about something very interesting at the beginning. And then we have lots of discussions and remove the parts that do not work. Then it becomes more practical. For example, something can be too costly, and then we remove that part. We spend lots of time to solve the problems. But I guess it is not totally necessary to make something 100% practical. It depends on what kind of product we design.

Style-pd: What about the balance between design and commercialism? You want to design something interesting, but you have to sell them at the same time.

Lang: It is not really a problem for us, anyways. It is hard to produce something for everyone.

Haverinen: It is good that we work together. I think this way we are delivering good products without compromising too much.

Style-pd: You have been designing many different kinds of products. What do you enjoy designing the most?

Hjert: It depends on what kind of wood we use. Right now, I am interested in patterns.

Lang: I want to do everything! I like everything.

Karlsson: I feel like we are always learning something. Almost everything is new to us. So I enjoy designing any products.

Haverinen: I like patterns the most. Because you can use patterns for any product! (laughs)

Style-pd: Do you have any favourite Swedish designers? Who influenced you the most?

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