Lokal: Where do you draw inspiration from for the themes of your works and their visual language?

Rasmus: “I would say that my inspiration comes from architecture and everyday life. It can be green groceries, street strolling, colour combinations, museums, travels and sometimes even details in nature.”

“Sketching is one of the main tools for my inspiration too. I often draw fast lines with a thick marker in my sketchbook, it helps my imagination and then one idea leads to another. In my visual language I strive to create a product that is honest, and has a voice of its own. In other words I hope that it does not need an explanation of what it is or what it can do. My focus also lies in the expression and character of every piece. I like a little bit of quirkiness, humour and playfulness. Lastly it should of course feel right and be interesting, and not just beautiful.”

L: What are some principles that are important to you in working and manufacturing processes? 

R: “To answer shortly, my background in both craftsmanship and design has developed my main guidelines in how I work. As I mainly work with furniture and products, I am curious in how things are made and try to find a thought-out balance between material, aesthetics and production. I always choose materials that are environmentally responsible, and the properties of the material and its possibilities should be part of the design. I believe that if the core idea of the product is meaningful and in balance with the aspects above, then the design will be more sustainable and relatable.”

L: What made you want to work with woodwork, design and furniture? What significance do materials have in your design and production processes?

R: “I come from a DIY family, and therefore I have always enjoyed creating and using my hands. When I was about to finish my bachelors studies in cabinetmaking at the Malmstens school in Stockholm, I realised that I wasn’t done yet. So I applied to masters studies in design and continued on a furniture program at the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen. In other words, my first interest was in understanding woodwork properly, and later on I realised the possibilities it gave me in the creative process and that’s how I got into design. And I am really happy about this path.”

“Often in my creative process, I try to be open to ideas and use my hands. So building models in paper and cardboard, experimenting and trying things in the workshop is a useful way that often complement the ideas. In the workshop I usually find the solutions that my brain and pen could not solve, it is important to listen to the material and let the hands think by themselves too.”

Shop: Rasmus Palmgren’s Works

Explore: Lokal Creators