{"id":19115,"date":"2014-09-18T08:51:22","date_gmt":"2014-09-18T06:51:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.area-arch.it\/evergreen-jens-praetvibeke-skar-with-northern-lighting-2\/"},"modified":"2015-11-03T13:07:35","modified_gmt":"2015-11-03T12:07:35","slug":"evergreen-jens-praetvibeke-skar-with-northern-lighting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.area-arch.it\/en\/evergreen-jens-praetvibeke-skar-with-northern-lighting\/","title":{"rendered":"Evergreen – Jens Praet\/Vibeke Skar with Northern Lighting"},"content":{"rendered":"

a double interview to Jens Praet and Ove Rogne for Northern Lighting<\/strong><\/p>\n

Studio Jens Praet<\/strong><\/p>\n

area:<\/strong> How did the collaboration with company and client? Have you enjoyed\u2028 ample freedom or did you develop your designs on the basis of the \u2028indications and requests received from the marketing management?
\nStudio Jens Praet:<\/strong> The Evergreen lamps is an initiated project by a collaboration of 2 design studios, studio Jens Praet and studio Vibeke Skar. The prototypes were produced in Norway on own initiative and presented in Milano during Fuorisalone 2010 in Ventura Lambrate. We presented the lamps and prototypes to Northern Lighting right after the show in Milano, the follow up was very quick since the company\u2019s internal board approved the designs immediately. For this reason we can say we had complete freedom since it\u2019s a self-initiated project.
\narea:<\/strong> What do you think about working with such company? How was important for\u2028your creative work?
\nStudio Jens Praet:<\/strong> The most important feature about working with a young company like Northern Lighting is their open minded approach and character. Eventough we are speaking about a serious business we had the feeling to be part of a family. Northern Lighting has a broad range of products, allowing their designers almost complete freedom \u2013 something every designer asks for\u2026
\narea:<\/strong> Have you worked with an internal technical department of Northern Lighting, in charge of\u2028the technical aspects, or have you followed the elaboration of the project\u2028to the end, down to the smallest details? Have you worked with prototypes,\u2028or with drawings?
\nStudio Jens Praet:<\/strong> We delivered the prototypes to Northern Lighting \u2013 this helped the process going faster. We are 2 design studios, one is based in Italy (studio Jens Praet) and the other one is based in Norway (studio Vibeke Skar) \u2013 when studio Jens Praet is dealing with extra drawings and pr, studio Vibeke Skar is in charge of the follow up with the technical department of Northern Lighting. This allowing to follow every aspect from drawings to the smallest details.
\narea: With regard to materials, have you been free to chose those that best\u2028 satisfied your personal research, or have they been dictated by the company\u2028 itself?
\nStudio Jens Praet: During the technical process we changed some of the components materials. The lamps feature a pulley and electricity cable fastener which were initially made from Corian, we changed from Corian to satinized Nickel (for a stronger and slightly more luxurious appeal). These changes are all been made after careful studies with the Northern Lighting team. Of course the lamp shade remained like the prototypes, in handblown glass.
\narea:<\/strong> Are you planning other objects for Northern Lighting or has the collaboration come to an\u2028 end?
\nStudio Jens Praet:<\/strong> We are currently finishing the production process, but yes of course we will continue working with Northern Lighting in the future. We might even work as single studios this time.
\narea:<\/strong> What projects are you working on, and with what companies?
\nJens Praet:<\/strong> We are currently working for 2 italian brands, Poltronova and a well know lighting from of which unfortunately we can\u2019t reveal the name yet, and for a new Dutch brand who\u2019s launching their collection at Maison d\u2019Object in September. We are also working for PlusDesign Gallery in Milano, on a solo show for Industry Gallery in Los Angeles in September, and on 2 interior projects for private clients.<\/p>\n

Northern Lighting<\/strong><\/p>\n

area:<\/strong> Has the involvement of important design firms\/studio\/designer been a\u2028requirement of the company\u2019s marketing strategy from the start, or is this a\u2028more recent idea?
\nOve Rogne:<\/strong> Northern Lighting is a commercial hub for lighting designers. Every quarter we evaluate a great, number of potential projects, drawings, samples and ideas we receive from all around the world. Our main vision is to be an attractive brand platform where designers can present their works as part of a larger lighting collection. Also, we work closely with the designers we have started a cooperation with during the development process and also after the launch of the products, in order to get the designers input throughout the development, and later also to promote the designers and to ongoing improve concepts add new features and versions, and also add new lighting ideas from our cooperation partners as well hopefully over time. This has been the idea since the start six years ago.
\narea:<\/strong> Do you give your designers free reins, or are you open to proposals that\u2028may arrive from professionals with different experiences?
\nOve Rogne:<\/strong> We have an open-door policy to any ideas that may challenge or strengthen our existing lighting portfolio. In addition to that we create more set briefs towards designers on depending on our specific needs. Often the most interesting and creative ideas come from the free reins, where designers present concepts that are original and not limited by too many set rules or demands up front. area: Do the designers work autonomously while developing a project or is there\u2028a continuoconfrontation with the company\u2019s technical department?
\nOve Rogne:<\/strong> The basic idea and concept is always developed by the designer. After that there is a process of adjustments, based on our input and desired functionality, technology, production restraints, materials possibilities and limitations and cost related issues. Our development team normally works closely with the designers during the entire process, and the final approval of all the elements of a design is always made by the designer at the end prior to launch. For us it is very important that the designer is satisfied with the end product, since we present works from designers and not works from a producer as our main story. Some designers are more involved in the technical development, base on their level of experience, expertise and knowledge in this field, while others are more involved only in the esthetical\u00a0 sides of the development.
\narea:<\/strong> How did the collaboration between your company and Jens Praet come about?
\nOve Rogne:<\/strong> Northern Lighting received a brief from the designers on their concept, and was presented with the samples used in the fair in Milan in 2010 where Evergreen got a lot of positive attention. In our design review meeting thereafter the lamps got full score internally, and we then invited the designers to start the project together with our team from there.
\narea:<\/strong> For how long has your company been involving important design firms for\u2028the design of the products?
\nOve Rogne:<\/strong> Since the start 6 years ago. We curently work with a number of leading design firms and independent designers on projects that we hope to launch in the near future.
\narea:<\/strong> How often do you renew the range of your products?
\nOve Rogne:<\/strong> Every 6 months we present new items, and also evaluate the current portfolio. This is much more frequent than most producers and brands, – but as a small company with dedication to add new designs to our portfolio this is a high priority for us.
\narea:<\/strong> With what design firms have you collaborated in the past and who are you planning to involve after Studio Jens Praet?
\nOve Rogne:<\/strong> We work with a large number of different design companies and independent designers on different projects, most of them stationed in Europe, but also some from Japan and other parts of the world. The latest launch was a lamp called Illusion, where we collaborated with an award winning Norwegian design team named Hareide Design. A great team to work with, and a truly international and dedicated group of designers. A very fun and challenging process.<\/p>\n