At the core of Sebastian Bergne’s studio practice are many years of industrial design experience. His creative direction leads a process that makes everyday objects special. Products that are engaging for the client and designed to be produced within the constraints of appropriate manufacturing techniques.
The studio can take an idea to manufacture, through functional, visual and technical development stages to suit the project. This solid background in traditional product development gives the studio the grounding and confidence to engage in more individual or less product based design activities such as bespoke development and design strategy.
Left: Tivedo task lamp being developed using Solidworks CAD software
Increasingly the studio is being asked to develop finished objects for specific purposes or locations. This not only involves designing for a very particular situation but also involves developing and having them made in whatever quantities are required.
Projects range from the LEGO greenhouse, created for the London Design Festival 2011 to the Measuring Square scarf designed and manufactured in an edition of 100 for The Conran Shop anniversary exhibition or even the Ice Cream Machine designed and developed for Michelin starred restaurant Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.
Left: The Lego Greenhouse for London Design Festival.
Since founding his studio in 1990, designer Sebastian Bergne regularly develops personal projects, collaborations or research through to finished objects without the involvement of an external client. These editions then become available through this online platform, exhibitions or direct from his studio in London. This work compliments and informs his commissioned projects and now represents a significant body of work as a whole.
Left: Full bowls, a personal edition from 2016.
In recent years Sebastian’s wealth of experience has made him sought after as a curator, lecturer and commentator on design.
He curates and designs the yearly Solutions exhibition at the Ambiente trade fair in Frankfurt, a personal selection of functionally innovative products for the home.
In 2013 he was invited to curate and design an exhibition at the Biennale Internationale Design Saint-Etienne. The result was Design with Heart, an exhibition of objects that have been created with humanity, intelligence and passion to improve the way we live and interact.
Left: General view of Design with Heart.
Teaching and sharing his design experience has always been an important part of Sebastian Bergne’s design practice. Initially as a visiting lecturer or project tutor, more recently as an external examiner, visiting professor or mentor.
Over the years he has collaborated with leading institutions such as the Royal College of Art, ECAL, The University of Venice or Central St Martins. More recently he has been external examiner on the masters product design course at IED Madrid, professor of a three week interaction design project at NABA, Milan and individual mentor to a masters product design students at Central St Martins (UAL). In September 2015 he was appointed as visiting professor in the faculty of Art, Design and Architecture at Kington University, UK.
Left: Interaction design student group at NABA, Milan.