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 Simon Deeg and Andreas Picker from studio milz.

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COLLECTIBLE: How does the digital sphere impact your work? What is your relationship to 3D, AI etc?

Simon Deeg & Andreas Picker: Digital tools are essential in our design process, bridging the gap between traditional craftsmanship and innovation. We are intrigued by the digital influence on the perception and value of handcrafted versus machine-made objects. Our fascination lies in exploring the uniqueness of generative designs, the impact of producing complex, bespoke ideas, and embedding personal traits into mechanized production. We craft all showcased furniture pieces with a custom-developed woodworking machine, meticulously planning every detail and connection. For us, the blend of digital and manual creation is seamless, reflecting our deep engagement with both realms.

C: Can you talk about a new piece / collection that you release for COLLECTIBLE this year?

SD & AP: In our newly launched Knife-Line series, we explore the intersections between analog and digital, as well as the relationship between form and function, ornament, and utility. Sketches created with loose, personal, hand-drawn strokes are digitally processed and carved into a substantial hardwood beam. These rapid and dynamic lines intentionally lack any indexical meaning or symbolism; the line seems to serve purely as decorative ornamentation. However, the materiality of the line contrasts with its dynamism. The black and white filling, with its fragmented appearance reminiscent of terrazzo, interrupts its flow. Additionally, the casual nature of the sketches is elevated by their noble materiality. Moreover, upon closer inspection, the lines reveal their true function through their magnetic properties and their intended purpose as a knife rack.

C: Can you briefly describe your process?

SD & AP: In our collaborative design projects, we typically initiate the process by crafting a precise design framework. This foundational framework is sculpted by parameters like dimensions, intended use, and materials, alongside more nuanced elements such as cultural symbolism or sensory interaction. These parameters serve as the creative confines within which our ideas are allowed to flourish. Any concepts that don't fit are set aside. Once we've gathered enough ideas and the desire to break free from these constraints becomes too strong, we open up this confined space, blending the best of both worlds. This approach ensures all designs share a common base and clarity, allowing for individual further development without straying too quickly from our collective path.

C: Where do you take your inspiration from?

SD & AP: Inspiration can stem from various sources, such as materials, nature, traveling, historic manufacturing processes, or just serendipitous discoveries. However, when seeking inspiration for refinement or further development within a project, we have increasingly utilized small software scripts and parametric design methods in our recent projects. These tools allow us to explore numerous variations based on the same design principle. This forms the basis of our design process, which is quickly built into physical models and tested in reality. The difference between reality and simulation is often vast. This interplay between digital and analog, leveraging their respective advantages and disadvantages, is crucial in our design journey and is a great source of inspiration.

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

SD & AP: In our daily work, rooted in exhibition and interior design, functionality and usability play a pivotal role. However, in collectible design, we transcend this level, engaging with the essence of an object, challenging boundaries, and initiating experiments. Our Wedged Block wall mirror exemplifies this delicate balance. A significant block of mirror-polished stainless steel, wedged into place with a distinctive wood joint, reflects its form in the mirror it supports. This intentional positioning disrupts the mirror's primary function, adding an intriguing aesthetic dimension and creating a unique interplay between form and function, showcasing our exploration beyond traditional boundaries.