Wood, balance and design. In conversation with Rasmus Palmgren

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ease chair, rasmus palmgren, salone milano

Ease Chair, design Rasmus Palmgren, Special Mention, SaloneSatellite Award 2022. Photo courtesy

Awarded with one the two special mentions of the SaloneSatellite Award 2022, Rasmus Palmgren is a Finnish designer, committed to design durable and sustainable products

Through his products, Rasmus Palmgren always tries to find innovative solutions and a thoughtful balance between material, aesthetics, usability and production. With his studio, he aims to create relevant projects that are easy to understand and appreciate.

A clear example of his approach is the Ease Chair, awarded by the jury of the Salone Satellite Award 2022 with one of two special mentions. "Simple, well designed with a satisfying design and functional in use" explain the judges in their motivations, specifying that it's "a mature product for production".

collection, rasmus palmgren, salone milano — Collection, design Rasmus Palmgren. Photo courtesy

Which is the aspect of design that attracted you the most? Why did you choose to become a designer?

I come from a DIY family, and therefore I have always enjoyed creating and using my hands. When I was about to finish my bachelors studies in cabinetmaking at the Malmstens school in Stockholm, I realised that I wasn't finished yet. So I applied to masters studies in design and continued on a furniture program at the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen. In other words, my first interest was understanding woodwork properly, and later on I realised the possibilities it gave me in the creative process and that's how I got into design. And I am really happy about this path.

In your projects there’s always a research for the essential, not only for shapes and lines but also mechanisms and technologies. For you, what does it mean to design contemporary furniture today?

For me there must be something more than just an aesthetically well performed shape. It makes more sense to take e.g. the material or technical construction and let that be part of the end product. In that way the design process is also more challenging and it feels much better when the problem is solved in the end and the product is there.

ease chair, pink, rasmus palmgren, salone milano — Ease Chair, design Rasmus Palmgren, Special Mention, SaloneSatellite Award 2022. Photo courtesy

In Milan you presented the Ease chair, tell us a little bit about your approach to design through this product.

I wanted to create a well-functioning and versatile wooden chair that could stack, and that would have a simple and clean design language. And as mentioned before, also have a thought-out perspective within the material, industrial production and usability. When I look at the end product, the chair has a strong framework, that surrounds and supports the thin seat&backrest, which gives it a personal character even if it at the same time is a very simple chair.

The Salone del Mobile has been over for almost a month, what did it leave you with? What was it like to participate in the SaloneSatellite? And what was it like to win the SaloneSatellite Award?

I was, and still am, very happy to have had the chance to show my latest works and meeting professionals after the years of pandemic and restrictions.

I am really happy about the special mention at the Salone Satellite Award, especially from the meaningful names at the jury and the high level in designs of the other participants. It really gave me a boost and also attention from the media that I could not otherwise have had imagined.

ease chair, stackable, rasmus palmgren, salone milano — Ease Chair, design Rasmus Palmgren, Special Mention, SaloneSatellite Award 2022. Photo courtesy

What are you currently working on?

Starting from the autumn, I will begin a one year working grant where I will research and study sustainable and smart models within the furniture field. Beside this I have a few projects that hopefully will be launched during next year.

Will we see you again in Milan in 2023?

Only as a visitor due to the upcoming research project and lack of time to develop a new series of objects. But maybe 2024 could be a possibility.