Designers We Love: Meike Harde

INTERVIEWED BY Michaela Stehr

The work of German designer Meike Harde is making waves in the furniture and textile scene. VISI caught up with her about her style, inspiration and plans for the future.

How did you get involved in art?

Art has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a child I was always drawing, painting or building. I also knew that I wanted to work in a creative field. I developed an interest in furniture, growing up with very design-orientated parents. I’m very thankful that I lived in that environment. I initially learned about classical design but now want to create alternatives, which work better for the modern world.

What are some obstacles you have found working with textiles?

Well, I see more advantages in working with textiles. I find it is such a huge field, which is less noticed in design. Textile is more than upholstery. It is light, easy to handle, often more sustainable than other materials.

The most important thing is knowledge. It’s necessary to keep on searching: to know a wide range of materials, to understand the manufacturing, to know how knitting and weaving machines work.

The only obstacle is to convince the industry to invest in textile applications. But lots of galleries have an open mind about textile solutions.

From where do you draw your inspiration?

The material is often my inspiration. It tells me how to handle and use it. I try to use it as sensibly as possible. The construction of any furniture has to be adapted to the material. The material itself often permits the function.

Besides my constructive projects I sometimes focus on very narrative objects. I developed a wall clock, which works with a dancer figure and should throw a different glance on time and time pressure. Just like the masks “Too Beautiful To Be True” which symbolized the ugliness of too much constraint on beauty.

What are your plans for the future?

I’m working on some new projects that will be exhibited in April in Milan. I would like to bring more poetry into every day live. This means I’m developing furniture with a very sensual approach and form.

To see more of Meike’s work, visit meikeharde.com