David doesn’t go for simple slogans like “less is more”; instead
he claims design has to be obvious. That might imply a certain
love for an Italian master like Enzo Mari, but also for bespoke
furniture from all around the world. Since graduating from the
prestigious Carl Malmsten Furniture School almost 10 years
ago, David has produced quite a roster of designs, many of
them aspiring or already fully acclaimed furniture classics.
“Wood is my favourite material, not only because I hail from
the forests of Småland in southern Sweden, but because it
could be used a lot more – particularly pine, which has had a
bad reputation since the terrible 80s yellowish hard-lacquered
polyurethane versions.” As for creating a little punk of a chair,
David explains that he enjoyed working in a record shop in
Värnamo when he was younger. “You get hooked. First it was
the Clash and all the others in the punk craze, then it was
vegan punk or whatever.” Extending his education by studying
aesthetics and philosophy in Umeå has enabled him to
contribute to a more humanistic design approach as a teacher
at the Carl Malmsten Furniture School. “You have to let the
design process run its course. Look at Pinzo. The chair might
look simple, but the fastening of the back and the precise
inclination requires quite an advanced solution.”
How have your studies in philosophy influenced your work?
I want objects to have meaning. You should understand why
my things look and work in a certain way. As a designer
you’re part of something bigger. It’s not just a product, it’s
about contributing to the fabric of society.
What are you reading right now?
An old book by the Swedish artist Torsten Renqvist describing
the people who influenced and shaped his life. You really
learn to understand him through these portraits.
What are your music preferences, apart from punk?
Right now I’m a lot into Felix Kubin. I appreciate electronic
music; it really makes me happy!
PINZO
David Ericsson | 2O19
