Reflecting Complexity in Simple Forms
On a cozy autumn afternoon, I found myself scrolling through Instagram when I stumbled upon Studio Kresal's page. Their poetic, elegant yet somehow robust glasswork caught my eye, sparking the idea of a potential collaboration. Thus, our journey together began.
After a productive Zoom meeting, we brainstormed ideas, blending our skills as an illustrator and designer.
Integrating different design disciplines not only enhances the creative process but also broadens the range of potential outcomes, offering richer experiences to both creators and the audience. Combining graphic design with furniture design allows for a unique exploration of materials and techniques. While graphic designers often focus on visual aesthetics and digital interfaces, furniture designers deal with physical materials and their interaction with light and space.
Our shared love for experimentation led us to a project merging unique glass sanding technique and vector graphics.
Here's the process we devised: We start by sending the vector graphic to a vinyl cutter to create a precise stencil. This stencil is then delicately applied to the back of a mirror surface. Using a specialized sanding method, layers of reflective glass are gradually removed, leaving behind a delicate, translucent design. This surface is then selectively colored with spray paint, so that the elegant design turns white.
The centerpiece of our collaboration is a wooden cube with reflective surfaces that interact with light, casting intriguing reflections. Each mirror is meticulously positioned to seamlessly merge the graphic across the cube's facets, resulting in a dynamic visual experience. As the surroundings shift, the cube remains grounded, symbolizing the harmony of opposites: industry and nature, stability and change. Each side of the cube offers a unique perspective, telling a different story with its reflections.
Photos:Boštjan Selinšek
By merging these fields of design, the project gains a holistic approach that encompasses both the visual and tactile elements of the final product. This interdisciplinary approach fosters creativity; each discipline brings a unique set of tools and ideas that, when combined, can more effectively address complex design challenges. For instance, a wooden cube with reflective surfaces functions not only as a piece of furniture but also as an interactive art installation that changes with the lighting and environment. By fostering connections between different fields of design, we unlock new creative potentials and explore new horizons that redefine the boundaries of traditional practices.
At first glance, the glass cube may seem simple, but its fabrication requires extreme precision. Every line and millimeter is crucial to ensure that the pattern on the reflective surface seamlessly integrates as a whole. This seemingly simple pattern with its thin lines also reflects the complexity of nature and ourselves, reminding us that despite all the technological progress and scientific achievements we are surrounded by today, we still do not fully understand the fundamental elements of nature and our own being.
The cube with reflective surfaces and elements of nature encourages us to reflect on our own identity and the purpose of our existence. The reflective surface confronts us with ourselves, reminding us of the importance of self-reflection. We often avoid looking ourselves in the eye and acknowledging who we are, what we have achieved, and where our paths in life lie. When this element is placed in a space, such as our home, it allows us to occasionally catch our reflection, pause for a moment to become aware of the moment, and focus on our presence in the space, reminding us that we are "here and now."
Photos:Boštjan Selinšek
About the creators:
Sara Kresal is an interior furniture graduate with ten years of rich experience in design and sales. She has built her career on the foundations of innovation, aesthetics, and functionality. Her professional development has been enriched by collaborating with several renowned architectural firms and design studios across Slovenia, which has allowed her to acquire valuable knowledge and skills and gain a broad perspective on various aspects of design.
In addition to her passion for creation, she can boast of successfully establishing the glass furniture brand @StudioKresal, https://studio-kresal.eu/. Her products have been recognized by the Slovenian design community (Top Idea Award 2022, Vacanze Table) and internationally (finalist of the Isola Design Awards 2022, Vacanze Table). Besides directing and creating the @StudioKresal brand, she also took over the management of the family business @SteklarstvoKresal in 2023, https://www.steklarstvo-kresal.com/.
Barbara Borko is a graphic designer, entrepreneur, and art and design enthusiast who loves to travel, constantly learn, explore and experiment, and visit exhibitions. Since 2013, she has been working as a freelancer with small and large international companies in the fields of print, graphics, and corporate identities. She has collaborated with the Liechtenstein royal family, Samsung Austria, NGI, Berkeley Institute for Data Science (BIDS), Dr. Heinekamp, and Edition Hotels. Since 2016, she has also been deeply involved in social media, publishing various creative content under the name @designneeds and at http://www.designneeds.co.
-----
Available:
ON REQUEST;
Production time : 3-4 weeks