Interview with Aldis Blicsons
Architect Designer Entrepreneur Music journalist Radio personality
Interview about Choppy Wooden Balance Bike for Kids Design Interview
Designer Interview
1 November 2022
During childhood, while others dreamed of becoming astronauts, policemen or cowboys, I knew I was going to be an architect. At age 5 I was drawing intricate designs of building facades and interiors. Then I became one and it wasn't enough.
Our company is a recent creation, that grew while designing our first product. A need for a company came with the development of new designs.
Human-made things and interactions with them and between them.
In architecture I enjoy reconstructing old buildings, while giving them a new life and keeping as much of its heritage as possible. Within architecture and design alike I'm a minimalist.
Alvar Aalto, Chair number 41. Latvians have a very close relationship with forests and everything made from wood. Here in Latvia we have a long history of producing plywood. Also, of making things from bended plywood.
My first product was the Brum Brum bike, which we made in a team, that is part of the design studio STUM crew now.
Bended plywood is my favorite material. If we're talking about technology, then it's 3D modeling and augmented reality.
At night.
Less details and clear shapes.
I don’t design by sitting and doing it. Everything happens in my head. Also 3D, detail connections and materials. Paper or laptop are just tools to show and explain how it will work.
It is always a lengthy way from sketch to ready product. It's like "Yes, we did it!".
If you can interact with it without any special knowledge.
Usability. Design needs to work for you, not you for the design.
Sustainability. Transportation and packaging are the biggest mess in consumer society. Use of local materials and technology is necessary for me.
Bigger population, additional tasks to resolve. In the future I see more useful design solutions and less "brand" or "rockstar" designs to make more money.
I haven’t had any exhibitions yet. I don’t think about it.
Science. You can create something new only when all the parts are connected - materials, technology, needs.
Minimalism.
Latvia. Small country in the North of Europe. We have a long sea coastline with white sand. We collect mushrooms and berries in the woods, celebrate ancient festivals at countryside. Connection with nature is very close.
Problem. Conversation. Sketches. Solution. Prototyping. Result.
There is not a perfect formula for it. First conversation will tell you to chose this or the other designer. You can find solutions for your problems together but not ask to just realize your tasks.
Everything happens in my head and I use paper or software just to understand, if it works or not.
My 3 sofas, electric kettle and our design lamp prototype I have in my room.
Lazy morning. E-mails. Some outdoor work. Evening with friends or some musical event. Night at home watching movies or working. Radio broadcasts (I'm a radio DJ) every sunday.
Design for real needs, not for yourself.
Only positives :)
Less is more.
All. You need to know something about everything.
ArchiCAD, SketchUP, Lumion, Photoshop.
First prototypes come quickly, but sometimes it takes a few years till the end result.
How much does it cost to....
Industrial prototyping of Choppy bike.
Mostly we are our clients but sometimes friends who ask for a solution or just help to finish their ideas.
I enjoy all parts of my job. It's necessary to love what you are doing.
Build STUM design studio to make new designs, prototyping and enjoy time with friends which are involved in processes.
We are a team of approximately 10 people who do some work time from time.
We are working on a ceiling light object. Two types of prototypes are built already, but it’s still in progress.
You can write a private message on the most popular social networking places.
Think global, do local.