Achim Bölstler
Achim Bölstler, who heads up product development at WMF, on the three facets of design and teamwork.
When aesthetic appeal, functionality, and utility come together, you have a well-designed product.
Mr. Bölstler - What constitutes good design?
Good design is characterized by honesty, clarity, durability, innovation, and attention to the minutest of details. When aesthetic appeal, functionality, and utility create a unified whole, you are likely to have a well-designed product. The area of cutlery design in particular is one in which true talent quickly becomes apparent. The detail in these seemingly straightforward products is crucially important.
What do we hope to achieve through our collaboration with renowned designers such as Zaha Hadid, Jette Joop, and Michalsky?
The motivation behind each of these collaborative projects is different each time. These people either approach us or we seek them out. The very fact that many creatives, architects, or fashion designers have never designed cutlery or tableware is what makes these collaborations so exciting. At every level, it comes together in a diverse, inspirational, and surprising way. We encounter a whole range of designers along the way. There are the team players and the individual big names. We might be working with a craftsman today and a dreamer tomorrow, learning from pragmatists and stars alike. Anything goes as far as we are concerned, as long as it leads to mutual success.
