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JONAS WAGELL
Q.
How do you achieve timelessness in design and still
maintain a distinct beauty and character?
JW.
Timelessness is a difficult word to interpret. The mean-
ing, I suppose, is to discard short-lived trends and to pursue an
aesthetic that stands the test of time. I believe that designers
should strive to create bodies of work that go beyond our visual
tendencies and aesthetic inclinations, developing their own
personal and distinctive language. Personal work, the authentic
imprint of a creator, will always be relevant and timeless.
Q.
Working with Scandinavian minimalism, how do you en-
sure a warm and welcoming presence in your designs?
JW.
Growing up in Sweden, I imagine my roots have dictated
a lot of my preferences. As with many Scandinavians, I prefer
simple shapes and minimal forms. However, I don’t see a con-
tradiction between Scandinavian values and warm aesthetics.
In fact, I view it as the opposite. I see minimalism as a way to
reduce distraction, thus creating a stronger sense of character:
to boil down the sauce to enhance the flavour.
Q.
What inspired the Grade Collection?
JW.
In a few words: craftsmanship, understated elegance and
comfort. I often refer to my work as “graphic” in the sense that I
try to create simplistic objects with a distinctive character that
is easy to understand. With the Grade Collection, we wanted to
create a sofa with outstanding comfort, paired with a minimal,
friendly aesthetic and a sort of gentleman’s confidence.
Q.
Please describe your process when working on the design?
JW.
Creating furniture is a collaborative effort. As a designer,
I provide a language of form and visual signature which then
evolves to match the furniture maker’s identity. The designer
has to absorb the character of this specific role, working in uni-
ty with the maker’s history, ethos and desires. When working on
the Grade Collection, I first compiled a reference library based
on L. ERCOLANI’s heritage, moods and visual inspiration.
Jonas Wagell’s work is the perfect harmony of playfulness and minimalism, artfully blending the two concepts in a
refined design language. The Swedish designer works across disciplines and borders, creating an instantly-recognizable
aesthetic that imparts a relaxed sense of sophistication.
