An authentic and solid foundation gives you space for limitless creativity
Each design project starts with a solid foundation. That’s uniquely yours. That defines you and your place in the world. What you want to create.
This is not a one-time building block, though. We should keep nurturing that foundation. Let it be vivid, contemporary. Ever present, and close to us, to easily guide us and those we work. In tuned with our community and what’s happening around us.
The focus and clarity of a solid foundation doesn’t restrict creativity. On the contrary. It enables it. In some ways, as a designer, I’m a kind of translator – of values and ideas into colour, shape and materiality. Into physical presence and tangible design.
The “freedom” of a “do what you want, and we’ll see-brief” is not an opportunity. It’s a misunderstanding. Really good, long-lasting design is always a collaboration between client and designer.
In this second issue we linger around the first principle: to nurture our foundation. The starting point of every design decision.
BY THE SEA. The foundation for Entière always has the sea close. Physically or metaphorically. This photo is taken on my favourite, kind of hidden beach. If I’m not close to the sea, I feel disconnected, almost claustrophobic. The sea also is the metafor for everything being connected in one way or another. We share the same planet and the sea connects us globally.
What is essential to you and how can that translate in interiors and design with a strong sense of identity?
Photo: Ea Czyz
Trees are a powerful source to learn from. Photo: Charlotte Ryberg, A magnificent Pine Tree in Japan.
Richard Powers, The Overstory:
”Your kind never sees us whole. You miss half of it, and more. There’s always as much belowground as above”
The tree as a metaphor to learn from
“The Overstory” by Richard Powers is a global bestseller and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Each novel revolves around trees in one way or another. The quote comes from the first novel, “Roots”, and it’s the Pine tree itself speaking to a woman leaning against its stem.
If you imagine a tree, it’s large intricate root system, it’s synergy with the soil, fungus, the air and sun…you understand the power of a solid foundation.
'It changed how I thought about the Earth and our place in it' Barack Obama.
Listen to trees. Yes, literally.
This song on my Entendre playlist pt. 9 “Sensory Richness” beautifully captures the essence of a tree.
Entière LAB: For the Love of Pine
A moodboard filled with stories for an explorative design process..
A visualized foundation to keep coming back to, nurture and create from
The power of visualization is very strong. Let ideas come out of your mind, and onto the wall! Only then can you explore it, adapt it (instead of looping it over and over in your mind), share it, co-create, and use it to make things happen!
The collage or project moodboard above sums up my “For the Love of Pine” project and includes materiality, functions, methods, cultural phenomenon, stories, ideas for a multisensory explorative process and thoughts about hospitality and sharing of ideas.
I can keep coming back to it. Continuously explore. Nurture it. I’ve also used it as the supporting backdrop to share my thoughts about the project.
Regardless of whether you create yourself, or if you bring in the help of a designer, the clearer you can communicate your vision, the more authentic and bespoke the design.
What are you working on?
Dream Lab:
To begin creating your own foundational moodboard or vision board, consider starting with the words. That way you keep your focus, and don’t get lost in all the visual inspiration. Remember, it’s not about what you “like”, it’s about who you are and want to be.
Need guidance, tools, and community?
Sign up (non-binding) for next session of Dream Lab.
Book the Talk or Workshop:
10 PRINCIPLES for holistic design
There’s complexity in the world, now more than ever, and a responsible design process weaves together many perspectives.
You will explore and define how each of the 10 Principles apply to you. Each principle adds depth and another layer to your brand and story.
The workshop can also focus mainly on the first foundational principle, and be held in either Swedish or English.
I can host at my studio (max 10 participants) or come to you. Perfect for that inspirational day at the architectur/design studio, design school or product brand. It works well for companies and institutions where design, creativity or a holistic perspective is at the core.
Interested? Let’s set it up!
Forerunners guiding you on your path: