Interview with Jiri Marek
Designer Interview
26 February 2021
I'm a professionally trained food scientist, however, I recently turned my passion for wood and design into a full profession. I never knew that I would take this path, however, I have followed the herd for too long and now realize how much I like creative thinking. I'm at the beginning of my exciting journey of being a designer.
Studio number 10 is a boutique business creating contemporary wooden hardware from 100% reclaimed wood. Our sophisticated design combined with our novel processes makes each and every piece unique and non replicable. We are passionate about sustainability, so we choose to use reclaimed wood from historic buildings as the raw material for our creations . Not only is it kinder to the planet, but it initiates the process of creating a piece of art. Each piece of wood carries the heritage of the original building.
Challenging the status quo is what we believe in and the success of our wooden door handles is a good example of this vision.
Challenging the status quo is what we believe in and the success of our wooden door handles is a good example of this vision.
The process of creative thinking which turns ideas into reality and at its best improves people’s life by the design functionality and aesthetically fits the environment.
Wooden hardware
Recently purchased Shaper origin workstation - this is a part of the Shaper machine which is effectively a portable cnc machine. The workstation is an incredibly smart and flexible portable table that allows the user to change the position of a piece he works on with absolute precision.
As already mentioned I’m at the beginning so those X-Streams door handles are my first design
Reclaimed Wood, which has endless opportunities
I do not have a specific time of the day or place, but I think that once I’m the workshop shaping a project I feel the most inspired.
It is undoubtedly functionality. If the design fails even a little bit to fulfill its main purpose it does not matter how elegant or clever it is.
Tension - is it going to be as good once completed as it is in my head now?
Excitement and satisfaction
A happy customer. The design might be miles away from any recognition, but if the customer values it and loves it then the main purpose met its objective.
Always bad as I want keep positive thinking at the end of the process
Listening to the concerns, and translating those concerns into positive concepts / projects and solutions.
With new generations of young designers thinking about the environment and sustainability first I see a very bright future across all sections of every day life
Old buildings, ideally with a loft full of stuff untouched for decades. We are using reclaimed wood from old buildings so understanding where our prime material is coming from and its story is a great source of inspiration
Door handles made by us, already mentioned shaper work station, Mizuno golf clubs (irons ),
Hectic, but every minute is full of passion. At work, with family, when exercising, when talking.
Being able to transform a vision, a thought or a request into reality is a fantastic feeling. Being able to solve a problem via creative designs.
However not every project turns out right and with a few (not always the designers fault) this can damage reputation.
However not every project turns out right and with a few (not always the designers fault) this can damage reputation.
Not to have one.
Listening, open minded, imagination
Mental discipline, ability to free my mind from outside world and lock myself in the moment when I’m in the thinking zone or simply when I’m struck by an idea.
Not very well, as sometimes I unnecessarily overthink, and look for problems where there are none.
This depends on hundreds of factors.
How did you come up with this.
Mistakes I, or others, made
I work by myself but at every significant stage of the project I share this with close friends asking for objective feedback
jiri@studionumber10.co.uk