Sebastian Herkner Of Studio Sebastian Herkner On Five Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career As A Commercial Designer

An Interview With Athalia Monae

Creating Emotional Connections: Successful design goes beyond aesthetics; it creates an emotional connection with the user. When people see and use the Bell Table, they don’t just see a piece of furniture; they experience the story of its creation, the tradition of glassblowing, and the dedication to craftsmanship. Similarly, the Nymph lamps and Stock’N Roll tables were designed to evoke a sense of warmth and familiarity, making them integral parts of the living spaces they inhabit.

As a part of my series about the ‘Five Things You Need To Know To Create A Highly Successful Career As A Commercial Designer,’ I had the pleasure of interviewing Sebastian Herkner.

With his Bell Table design for ClassiCon in 2012, Sebastian Herkner took his first big step towards international recognition, and he has since become one of the most important designers of his generation today. Sebastian founded his own studio in 2006 and collaborates with international design companies in the lighting, furniture and product design sectors. He is a winner of numerous awards and recognitions — including the German Design Award 2011 in the Newcomer category and the EDIDA 2015 award as Best International Newcomer, guest of honor at IMM Cologne 2016, Designer of the Year 2019 at Maison&0bjet Paris, and the EDIDA award for Best International Designer in 2021.

Thank you for joining us today! Can you share the story of what led you to pursue a career in commercial design?

My journey into commercial design began with a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and storytelling. Growing up in Germany, I was surrounded by a rich tradition of design and art, which sparked my interest early on. I studied product design at the Offenbach University of Art and Design (HfG), where I was inspired by the idea of creating pieces that not only serve a function but also evoke emotion and connect people.

During my studies, I had the opportunity to work with different artisans in various workshops. This hands-on experience taught me the importance of materiality and the stories behind the objects we create. I realized that commercial design offers a unique platform to bring innovative ideas to life while considering the needs of users.

As I started working on projects for various brands, I found joy in collaborating with skilled craftsmen and integrating traditional techniques into contemporary designs. Through design, I hope to be able to enhance people’s lives and inspire them to appreciate the beauty in everyday moments.

What’s the most interesting or amusing experience you’ve had in your career so far, and what lesson did you learn from it?

In 2004, I was working as an intern at Stella McCartney, and I attended the after party in Paris after her Autumn/Winter show. I was sitting on a sofa next to the dance floor chatting for almost an hour with an older man I didn’t know. The next day, my colleagues were so excited about this conversation and told me who he was. He was Malcolm McLaren. I think it is fantastic to have no idea and start a conversation without any background or knowledge of the person and get driven just by curiosity and interest. This is a relevant part of my design process as well. Getting too deeply involved in research too early creates boundaries and limits your creative freedom.

Do you have a favorite life lesson quote? Can you share a story about how it has been relevant in your life?

My parents taught me from an early age that hard work and courage are important in order to achieve something. Making mistakes is crucial since you ultimately learn from them. Only defeats enable new perspectives and approaches. I have always set my goals very high. I grew up in a small town in the countryside, where the highlight was the annual fair. Television showed me a different world, especially MTV. I knew very early on that I wanted to go out into the world.

As a successful business leader, which three character traits have been most crucial to your success? Can you share a story or example for each?

My youth made me strong as an outsider. I was always different, had different interests, dressed differently, and my classmates didn’t understand that. I retreated into my creativity. It was my way of expressing myself. It is my strength to this day. I believed in myself and knew that I would be successful with my identity. The experience of not belonging, of not being part of a community at school, still encourages me to connect with people and believe in togetherness till this day. The great thing about design is that you can sometimes go within yourself to sketch out ideas, but then in a team and through dialogue, you can make these ideas grow. I really value exchanges with companies and their craftsmen, without whom I would not be able to realize my visions. First, it is about your attitude and identity; second, it is about communication; third — teamwork.

Can you describe a recent project you completed and what your specific contributions were?

One of my recent projects that I’m particularly proud of is my collaboration with Poltrona Frau for their 2024 Imagine Collection, which includes the Nymph Lamp and the Stock’n Roll bedside cabinet.

For the Nymph Lamp, I created a design that embodies the gentle, ethereal qualities of the female deities from Greek mythology. I envisioned a lamp that not only serves as a light source but also acts as a graceful sculpture within a home. The use of blown glass with a delicately pleated lampshade, combined with a leather-covered base, reflects a sense of weightlessness. I also wanted the functionality to be seamless, so I designed the on/off and dimmer switch as a brass button integrated into the base, paying homage to the classic leather tufted buttons of Poltrona Frau upholstery.

The versatility of the Nymph Lamp is crucial. With two sizes and various colors available for both the glass shades and leather covering, it offers endless customization options to suit different interiors.

As for the Stock’n Roll bedside cabinet, my aim was to create a compact yet luxurious piece that combines form and function. Inspired by the elegance of jewelry cases, the cabinet features a cylindrical shape, with a design that invites interaction through its handle-like leather edge. I focused on high-quality materials, ensuring that the interior is just as refined as the exterior, with options for semi-gloss marble or leather for the top.

Both pieces were designed with versatility at their core. Embodying a balance of beauty and practicality, the pieces fully address the desires and needs of contemporary living.

How do you approach balancing aesthetics and functionality in your designs?

Experience and curiosity are decisive factors when designing. Ultimately, it is my instinct how I see and implement a new object. Design cannot be measured or implemented according to fixed rules. There is so much personality in every design. Function is elementary, but the senses must not be neglected. We are human — we understand and grasp. We want to perceive things with all our senses. I always ask somewhat exaggerated questions: I want to know what a lamp smells like or a table tastes like.

What is your design philosophy when it comes to commercial spaces?

It is important that the space is authentic and has a local connection and responsibility. Today, many commercial spaces look the same, without an idea or their own language. I want to discover, be inspired and sometimes, be inspired to think. If something just pleases you, it is not good, and you quickly forget it. If something irritates you, you get worked up about it, and energy is generated.

Where do you draw your inspiration for your designs?

It is a great privilege to be able to travel. During my travels, I meet exciting people, visit workshops and go to museums. Going through life with open eyes and not taking everything for granted is crucial. This is where I find my inspiration, but also the drive to create something new. My husband had to get used to the fact that a vacation with me does not take place on a sun lounger, but on the e-scooter with which we drive across the rice fields of Bali to visit temples or wood carvers.

What strategies do you use to ensure your designs meet the needs of the end-users?

Ultimately, I am also my target group. The dialogue with me is just as important as with my customer. As a designer, you have the duty and responsibility to understand design not just as a form, but as a totality of development, production, marketing, transport and recycling. It’s about circular design. I am interested in the sourcing of materials as well as the working conditions in production. How can I make a design better so that it can be easily repaired or dismantled into pure types and returned to the recycling cycle? Far too often, people talk about consumers. I don’t like that word. We shouldn’t consume design like food, for example. Design is long-lasting; we have to see it as an investment that we value, cherish and, ideally, pass on. In contrast to trends, I strive for quality and timelessness.

How do you approach sustainability in your commercial projects?

Sustainability exists on different levels. The one that most people think of is about the material and the production. Social sustainability is just as important to me. I love working with craftsmen, visiting small workshops and smelling freshly sawn wood or feeling the heat of the glass furnaces. I am grateful to be able to work with such inspiring artisans who create things by hand with full dedication and knowledge. Unfortunately, more and more of these small businesses that specialize in a particular craft are closing. It is important to me to preserve this knowledge by cooperating with these manufacturers and challenging them with new ideas.

What impact do you think remote work and digital transformation will have on the design of commercial spaces?

Before the COVID pandemic, I spent several days a week on an airplane. Now, it’s the opposite. I mainly communicate with my customers digitally and only fly to them for crucial meetings. The quality of life has definitely improved, but it ultimately requires a balance between digital and analog. I have to test and approve a prototype of a chair or a luminaire in person. Also, trade fairs or retail are also crucial so one can fully experience a product. I can repeatedly buy a t-shirt online if I know its cut, but it’s different with a sofa or a stereo system.

What are the five things you believe are essential for creating a highly successful career in commercial design? Can you share a story or example for each?

1. Courage to Defy Trends: It is crucial not to follow trends blindly. Those who swim against the tide, think differently, and show courage are often the ones who are rewarded. When I designed the Bell Table for Classicon in 2009, no designer was working with hand-blown glass. At the time, everyone was striving for new materials and innovative techniques. While innovation is important, I saw a diminishing appreciation for traditional craft techniques. By reviving the use of hand-blown glass, I highlighted the importance of honest craftsmanship and slow design in our fast-paced society
2. Emphasis on Craftsmanship: The integrity of materials and the mastery of craft are paramount. For instance, my work with Poltrona Frau on the Nymph family of lamps and the Stock’N Roll tables was driven by a deep respect for the brand’s heritage of superior craftsmanship. These designs may not be the large armchairs or sofas typically associated with Poltrona Frau, but they embody the brand’s commitment to creating pieces that enhance the ambiance of a space through meticulous attention to detail, materials, and finishes.
3. Commitment to Authenticity: Authenticity in design involves a genuine understanding and appreciation of the materials and techniques used. My collaboration with artisans and craftsmen has always been a fundamental part of my process. For example, while designing the Bell Table, I spent considerable time with glassblowers to fully grasp the nuances of their craft. This hands-on approach not only informed the final design but also ensured that the piece remained true to the essence of hand-blown glass, celebrating its unique qualities and imperfections.
4. Creating Emotional Connections: Successful design goes beyond aesthetics; it creates an emotional connection with the user. When people see and use the Bell Table, they don’t just see a piece of furniture; they experience the story of its creation, the tradition of glassblowing, and the dedication to craftsmanship. Similarly, the Nymph lamps and Stock’N Roll tables were designed to evoke a sense of warmth and familiarity, making them integral parts of the living spaces they inhabit.
5. Continuous Learning and Adaptation: The design landscape is constantly evolving, and staying relevant requires a commitment to continuous learning and adaptation. Throughout my career, I have embraced new technologies and methods while staying rooted in traditional craftsmanship. This balance allows for innovation without losing sight of the core values that define my work. By staying curious and open to new ideas, I ensure that my designs remain fresh and meaningful, resonating with contemporary audiences while honoring timeless principles.

What role do you think commercial design plays in community building and social interaction?

Design has great significance and responsibility in our society. Design creates a sense of belonging but can also create distance. It is therefore important to pursue democratic design approaches and to involve society with all its diversity in changes or innovations. Design must be self-explanatory or communicable in order to not exclude others. This, for example, in relation to the great potential of A.I.

From a cultural perspective, the importance of design can be seen in the social structure of places like Venice. Here, glass art is a unifying element with which the city and its people identify. Offenbach, the city where I live, was the German center of leather production until about 20 years ago. In the meantime, all the factories have closed and the link in society that made up this craft has been broken. The city is now looking for a new means of unity.

Given your influence, if you could inspire a movement to bring the best results and solutions to the greatest number of people, what would it be? You never know what impact your idea might have!

I think the most important change would be responsible shopping instead of selfishly wasting things. Do we need something else? Something we won’t cherish for long, that is only trendy for the moment? My personal approach is to create treasures. Treasures that people love and consciously invest in. Designs that they are proud of and identify with. We all know the problems that come with fast food or fast fashion, so we should think the same about fast furniture. It’s time to rethink and question our behavior. This also includes an understanding of time. Through our excessive online shopping, we have completely lost the relevance of the time factor. Good things take time to be made such as tailor-made shoes or a hand-knotted carpet in Nepal. Not everything is a mouse click away. Patience is a virtue that we should learn to respect, at least to praise craftsmanship.

How can our readers follow your work online?

I think the best way is my Instagram. I show my work there but also share moments that are important for my life.

Thank you for your time and excellent insights! We wish you continued success.

About the Interviewer: Athalia Monae is a product creator, published author, entrepreneur, advocate for Feed Our Starving Children, contributing writer for Entrepreneur Media, and founder of Pouches By Alahta.