The “Graduate” showcase from Burg Giebichenstein is always worth exploring. Over the years we’ve certainly discovered one or the other gem there.
The highlight for us of the 2011 edition is the modular shelving system “Es ist angerichtet!” by Caspar Huckfeldt.
And yes, we now know what it is called.
At DMY 2011 we spoke to Caspar about “Es ist angerichtet!” and how he, as a recent graduate, views his future perspectives.
minimumblog: What is the background to “Es ist angerichtet!”
Caspar Huckfeldt: It is part of my final, diploma, project and the background idea was to develop a portable shelving system. So not a static system simply for placing books in, because there are enough such systems; but rather a temporary system which can be variably organised with normal shelves, but also lighting, vases or, for example, an espresso tablet, according to the users individual requirements.
minimumblog: And has it been well received here in Berlin?
Caspar Huckfeldt: That’s always difficult to say; however, there is a regular stream of visitors who are brave enough to touch it and try it out and in general those who interact with it find it good.
minimumblog: You graduated this year, are you confident that you can have a career as a product designer?
Caspar Huckfeldt: Yes, I believe so. I think the public are always looking for new things, new products. And while there might not always be new products as such, there is always room for new variations. And so yes I’m optimistic, but at the same time it is obviously very difficult to break into the market. But at the end of the day if I wasn’t optimistic I wouldn’t be here.
minimumblog: In that respect, what are the next steps for you?
Caspar Huckfeldt: On the one hand to go through the drawer, the huge drawer, with unfinished ideas and see which of them I take further. And naturally at some point to earn some money! Which is obviously the biggest challenge for a young designer. In my opinion as a product designer one needs around five products that sell respectably before you can make a decent living. Some get lucky and have a huge hit from which they can live, but that is obviously more the exception. And then there is the second income source as a freelancer helping other design offices with their projects. Which obviously has less to do with the design aspect and more the professional handwork.
minimumblog: And what have you seen here at DMY that caught your attention?
Caspar Huckfeldt: At the moment it’s all a bit too fresh to say; however I still find Yi Cong-Lu’s Living Tools wonderful. I know it from Burg Giebichenstein and it has a very reduced form language and I like it a lot. And then there are various people here who are working with sustainability and solar power. That’s not a theme I myself have really explored yet, but I think energy self-sufficiency is something which has a lot of potential and is definitely an interesting topic for product designers.
DMY Berlin 2011: Caspar Huckfeldt, Es ist angerichtet!
Damensattel by Caspar Huckfeldt. A bit of cheeky guerrilla exhibiting by Caspar. But fitting for such a wonderful project!