Interview with Alex Lototzky

Yagoona started as an experiment to produce easy to manufacture, decorative and functional objects for the garden. It sort of snowballed from there.

I like designs that have discrete useful functions that are cleverly integrated into optically appealing objects. Achieving the target function of a device with the least number of complex parts, high longevity, and the cleanest and simplest possible production.

I like base materials: steel, wood, glass, stone.

I do not seem to be able to control when I am will have a creative idea or what it may be. I am just suddenly struck by an idea when I see something that triggers it. It’s for this reason that I think I would make a terrible freelance designer. I have to simply perform at will would terrify me and probably cause me to have less ideas. If I were to say what helps me be creative, it would be to be relaxed.

Production. If it cannot be commercially produced, I may as well consider it one off or limited series artwork. In this view, then anything goes. For me that is the border between design and art.
Because I am not only the designer, but also the local manufacturer, production takes on a special aspect for me. I aim to keep my designs producible with standard manufacturing machines (CNC laser, waterjet, routing etc...) so that my production can be kept local, nimble and scalable.

I always look forward to getting the first prototypes from my suppliers after working on a product digitally and on paper. I get a thrill as it goes together (or a shock when it doesn’t!)

That is a slippery question. When a design captures the moment in the market. That is what I guess design success is. It is a rare thing so I may never experience it myself.

Aesthetics are such a subtle and potent aspect of any design. Its interplay with the function is the essence of design for me. The most effective blending of the 2 is how I would judge good design (if it were up to me)

Since every product we interact with has been ‘designed’, then the responsibility is immense. Designers have in their power the ability to steer the direction of our cultures by carefully considering the entire lifecycle and use of each and every product.
I fear that longevity in product design has been something almost consciously scaled back in the pursuit of replacement purchase profits. This coupled with globalised productions has brought us a flood of choice but a deficit of quality.
There are signs that this trend has run its course and a renaissance toward lasting quality in design.

I have consciously constrained my products to simple materials and to standardised CNC production on the whole, This has meant the entire supply chain is nimble, mobile and scalable. The influence of this constraint on my designs I believe has had a positive aspect as well.

The Swiss culture is very open to modern design and new ideas on the whole. This has proven fertile ground for my work.

Faith in yourself, perseverance, and lateral thinking.

Artistic vision and a sensitivity for aesthetics

Can you really live from this?

I answer any serious email sent to me, and as a habit I also answer my phone when I can.