The fact that Julian Kyhl sent us a short text rather than a curriculum vitae is typical of the 32-year old carpenter, designer (and father of a daughter) from Denmark. After all, a linear biography providing information on his schooling, university degree and his own studio would not seem consistent with the go-getting free spirit, who has no desire to restrict himself to a career as a designer: “I have no idea how things are going to turn out for me,” writes Kyhl. We first took notice of Julian Kyhl during a visit to Peter Klint’s carpentry cooperative in Copenhagen and he held out a wooden stool to us, three legs braced with 3D-printed connecting elements.
Julian Kyhl
Whowhatwherewhenhow?
01
Where would you like to live?
I live in Copenhagen and I love my city. I’d like to stay here and visit other places in the world. If the distance to Copenhagen would be ok, I could move somewhere remote in a large forest.
02
Your favorite character in the history of design?
Some of the greatest designs around are not credited to any particular designer. I love products that grows out of a specific purpose and become beautiful in the process.Instead of choosing one individual, I would like to pay a special tribute to a product, whose inventor I do not know: the canned croissant.
03
Which qualities do you admire in a designer?
Love for new thoughts and experiments, some degree of esthetic sense. To me design is more than product fashion. All designs are relative to the time we live in. I love whenever a designer gets something more than the current trend into their products and creates something archetypical.
04
What do you enjoy doing most?
I enjoy acting on my impulses. When I get into a new project, I like to do nothing else but work and explore that.
05
Your main personality trait?
Openness.
06
Your biggest mistake?
It has yet to come. I aim to risk it happening.
07
Your idea of happiness?
Being with my closest friends and family and acting on my will.
08
What do you find really annoying?
That a good idea is not enough.
09
Your favorite material?
Xylem.
10
Your favorite flower?
Arabidopsis thaliana. I’m not sure if it qualifies as a flower, but it has some brilliant qualities.
11
What kind of music do you listen to when you work?
I mostly listen to sci-fi audiobooks.
12
Which design achievement do you most detest?
My most detested achievements have been maculated or suppressed. I usually have a period of time, where I am fed up with whatever I have been working intensely on for long periods of time. Sometimes it passes.
13
Which talent would you like to have?
Some kind of money-making talent.
14
Can you describe your present state of mind?
Very deep and thoughtful.
15
Your motto?
Oui!
