Interview

This is the interview that I conducted with one of the head designers from Heydays in Norway. As they are one of the key studios to influence my practice this year I felt they would be a worthwhile addition to the publication.

When looking at your website it is apparent that colour and geometry play a large role in the communication of ideas and concepts. What principles and approaches do you apply when using these aspects within your design?

We work a lot with limitations. We truly believe that working with a set of limitations creates strong identity and help you a lot along the way. Limitations are noe meant to be straitjacket, but a way to avoid unnecessary objects, colours and sizes in your design.

It is also apparent that typography plays a large role in your practice. How important do you feel the use of typography is and what approaches do you take when working with it?

Good typography makes people frown less. Its the tone and voice of a word and the letters its made from. Typography creates personality and identity. Its functional and emotional at the same time. 

Often individuals work is defined by their interests outside of design. What are your influences outside of design and how do feel they shape your practice?

Like anyone else we're influenced by the age we live in and cultural surroundings. We're also influenced by history, architecture and music. Inspiration can come from anywhere and everywhere. We think its important to have a life outside work, which gives you healthy mental refill.

There has been some really interesting work coming out of Oslo in recent years. How do you feel design in Norway differs from the UK?

Hard to tell. The UK have a longer tradition for graphic design and like Holland, stronger roots for printed matter. In norway and the rest of scandinavia we have a stronger tradition in furniture design and architecture. I think we base more our work on material selection, and tend to deliver very clean restricted work. I think the lack of strong traditions, as seen in Holland, makes us a bit more free and open to how the work should come out.

Finally, what is your favourite aspects of design process and why?

In my opinion, solving the problem based on input or brief from client. The answer is always in the brief, so finding it can be looked at as a treasure hunt. There are no set answers, but tons of possiblites. Concepts are my favourite part.