The studio Neuland (founded in 1997) consists of Eva Paster (21.07.1971) and Michael Geldmacher (03.11.1968). The two met at the university in Munich, where they graduated in Design. Both fascinated by the other´s work, they decided to team up in their search for design. According to the studio´s name "Neuland", German for "undiscovered land", their philosophy is based on the idea that design is a process of uncovering, to reveal the essence of a product.
Projects: Kengo, Reef(2010) / Interlübke, Random / MDF Italia, Insert Coin / Nils Holger Moormann, Melody / MDF Italia.
INTERVIEW
What does design mean for you?
Strangely enough, design as an esthetical idea does not appear as an important topic to us. As a matter of fact, design is nothing but a term for the necessity of adjustment. Walking the street with open eyes, delivers to you a world of inappropriateness that urges to be improved. We would consider ourselves in surrendering to the permanent desire of improvement and therefore this derivation of design is a basic need to us.
What is design in your life?
According to our previous definition of design, it is a steady companion.
Please describe the changes in design over the last 20 years.
We think, design lost track of a mainstream. There is no overall direction. Out there is a pluralistic world of design. Somehow design shook off its barriers.
Which designers/architects have influenced your work the most?
Michael: I am a big fan of Luigi Colani and great admirer of Shen Ju, our utmost private creation of a design philosopher.
Eva: The person, who´s work impresses me the most is Olafur Eliasson (if your question allows me to choose an artist).
What item have you envied because of its design?
No item has such an attraction to us.
Do you believe that design assists in the creation of a “better” world?
For successful designers the world certainly becomes a little better - But what does" better" mean? Cleaner? More peaceful? More aware?
We think Design improves the conditions of life in many ways, but after all, design would be superfluous in a "good" world.
Should design be more inexpensive or does it deserve to be paid for at a high price?
Good design is probably as expensive as bad design, so why spoil your money on all the crap? It is no challenge to design a 200.000 Euro car. The true challenge is to bring excellence to the world without an extraordinary price.
What led you to become involved in design?
Eva: My love for architecture and art on the one hand and mathematics and physics on the other hand.
Michael: The world is not as I want it to be, and nobody cares, so I had to...
If you were not a designer, what other profession would you have chosen?
Are there other professions?
