December is “greatest hits” month, where I’m sharing some of my favourite posts from 2014. Matej is such an inspiring new designer – I highly recommend reading this one…
I met Matej Chabera at his graduate show at the Royal College of Art (RCA), and I was blown away by his hard work and dedication – he was presenting not one, but four final projects! When I asked him why, he looked at me a little blankly and said, “Because I’m at the RCA.” I had to find out more…
What made you want to become a designer?
It was never planned, it just happened as I went along enjoying the perverse freedom my artistic parents gave me. I did many things – anthropology, art history, psychology, graphic design, architectural design – and design is the outcome of my search. It is the ground where all my interests and study experiences come together. It is a balance of thinking and making, it makes use of a broad scope of knowledge and in the end there is an object as a result. This is endlessly motivating for me.
How did you feel when you get accepted into the Royal College of Art? What does it mean to you to have studied there?
It is very special for me. I did not get accepted the first time, I had a fight with Ron Arad and he walked out of the room. So coming back and getting in (under Tord Boontje), going through it with my best intentions and finishing it is a huge win for me. The status of RCA is something I am aware of and I love the history and influence of the institution, but it’s not something I try to sell to clients. I knew before coming to London that it is always the work you do and the people you associate yourself with that matter the most.
Why did you decide to do four final projects instead of just one?!
There was even more work in the planning! I just couldn’t manage to produce it all. The finishing stage of every project is always tough so four was just on the edge I think. I wanted to collaborate with someone new and the work I did with Mireia produced a methodology or a language and we know we could create a big collection out of it so ending up with two objects was actually quite modest. I also wanted to do a furniture piece that does something new – the Shelf of Tables – then I wanted to try a new subject – fabrics and sewing in Tailor bag. But yes it was demanding and I went to the limit, losing my girlfriend in the process and exploiting my physical health.
You seem incredibly motivated and driven – where does that come from?
The drive comes from the honest search in the past decade. I travelled and studied and worked and for years I was completely uncertain of what I wanted. Through trying things, it gradually became clear and now I operate from a set of values and beliefs that I have arrived at myself through striking lessons and often downfalls. This is a way to create a very solid base in your mind where all doubts have been dealt with and many perspectives considered. But it takes time to learn directly like this – it’s much easier to just pickup other people’s beliefs or follow an established religion.
Can you tell me a little bit about each project and why you decided to do each one?
The Shelf of Tables features a stack of four interchangeable desk tops enabling you to leave work in progress uninterrupted and was inspired the workspace I created for myself at the RCA. I wanted to create something as a continuation of my furniture work, but I wanted to reflect the slight approach change that happened in my work during the RCA. I have become much more flexible in my design process and more focused in my expressions and judgements.
The Tailor bag, a wearable bag that mimics a jacket, was a step into the unknown, it is my first project in textiles and sewing. My grandfather was a tailor so I always felt this pride about it and it became a love affair with a sewing machine.
Then I worked with Mireia Gordi Vila on two projects, which was fantastic as a collaboration. Our work produced a methodology or a language that we know we could create a big collection out of, so ending up with two objects was actually quite modest. Swing Side Table’s top swings into a vertical position when not in use, and Sling Step’s elements are sewn together using a climbing sling, so that it becomes stronger the more it is used. Our work was inspired by communicating in English, comic-like drawings and lots of crappy 1:1 models. I think we both learned a lot!
What’s your favourite part of the design and making process?
I love the process of recording visions and ideas in material. I usually digest ideas a lot but then I like to make quick models in 1:1 and that is when it starts to happen. As you make something it talks back to you, it relates to other objects, you can show it to other people. That is also why I like the product and furniture scale – it is direct, immediate and everything is compatible with the real world. My architect friends don’t have this privilege.
Tell me about a really good day and a really bad day in the life of Matej Chabera.
It is the stomach feeling that influences me the most as all my worries upset it easily. I struggle a lot with this because all the things I do and people I am connected with matter to me hugely. So a careless day with no worries is top!
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of my parents, they are incredible people who have achieved everything out of nothing. I ride on the wave of their good life.
What advice would you give someone starting at design school in September?
The biggest power comes from knowing what you want – what is important for you – and the school is a way to torture yourself in front of everyone in order to find out really properly about it.
What’s next for you?
I am running my studio in Prague and London, I am creative director of LUGI furniture maker, I signed a collaboration contract with one international furniture company and I will do some teaching at the Academy of Arts and Design in Prague.
And finally, what’s your favourite colour?!
I used to be all shades of grey guy, but I grew to appreciate all colours. It is a joy applying colour to things and menthol green is the trend for me now. My car must be black though.
Further reading for the especially geeky:
- interview :: kate shaw, cordello home
- interview :: pattern foundry
- interview :: hokolo
- interview :: head & haft
