This series, COLLECTIBLE In-Depth, unveils the backstage of contemporary creation. Tackling various topics from personal designer processes to the position of collectible design on the global design market, COLLECTIBLE In-Depth offers different views to suit all tastes. Today we speak with Lucie Claudia Podrabska from Tablescapes. 

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COLLECTIBLE: Where do you take your inspiration from?

Lucie Claudia Podrabska : My inspiration springs from the rich tapestry of my cultural heritage and daily life that envelops me. I have a deep appreciation for tradition, elegance and history. I am greatly inspired by medieval glassware that dates back to the 14th century which evokes a sense of timeless sophistication that I also bring forward into my own work.

The intricate embellishments and ornate details found on historical wine goblets traditionally served a deeper purpose of ensuring the glassware doesn’t slip out of your hand. This is a guiding influence, inspiring me to craft pieces that exude opulence but also a deeper narrative under the surface.

C: How do you understand collectible design’s unique story from your concept to a piece someone lives with (and perhaps forms an emotional connection to)?

LCP: What I adore and admire most about my scope of work but also about collectible design in general is that it's extremely intimate actually. As a designer you get the opportunity to narrate someone's home or personal space with your object of desire or affection that you create and get to be a part of someone's story arc. This is really special.  

I love to compare it to fashion. For example, creating a gorgeous garment is fabulous but that’s something you usually wear outside of the home for the world to see. A collectible object (usually) stays nestled in the comfort of your space amongst other objects of meaning, furniture and art. For me it’s like seeing into someone's soul if I can say something quite cliche. Not everyone gets to witness that and be a part of that.

I conceptualize with emotional depth and narrative resonance. Each creation is crafted to evoke a sense of wonder and nostalgia. Whether it's a delicate glass flower, wine goblet or a whimsical paper-mache sculpture, my aim is to evoke a visceral response in the viewer, fostering a deep emotional connection that goes beyond mere aesthetic appreciation. I infuse each piece with personal stories and cultural symbolism with which I strive to create objects that resonate with collectors on another wavelength. 

C: How do you question or challenge functionality in your design process? 

LCP: In my design process, I strive to strike a balance between form and function by infusing my creations with a sense of whimsy and playfulness. While my glassware and paper-mache sculptures serve practical purposes, like decorative tableware or home accents, they also invite viewers to rethink their relationship with everyday objects. I don't think design needs to sacrifice functionality for beauty.  By using unconventional materials and techniques, such as crafting paper-mache sculptures from discarded waste or on the contrary a material that is omni-present in our daily life, glass, I seek to provoke thought and inspire conversations about sustainability, consumerism, history and just life.

C: How do the questions transform to the final narrative of the piece?

LCP: I weave together threads of memory, tradition, and imagination and with this I create pieces that resonate with viewers on multiple levels, sparking curiosity and contemplation.

C: How can collectible design be a representation or reaction to the current societal, political or economic questions? 

LCP:  Collectible design is limited and made with intention which is a juxtaposition and a rebellion of sorts, going against the grain of today's fast paced, consumeristic and very industrialized society. Objects of design serve as a zeitgeist, giving insights into the issues of our time, provoking dialogue and instigating change.