by Charlotte West

published in LOFT The Nordic BOOKAZINE Summer 2008 Issue, Volume #6
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Monica Förster is one of Sweden's most internationally renowned designers. Her work is characterised by a strong sense of pure form combined with, and fuelled by, a never-ending curiosity for new materials and technology. Always working in a cross-disciplinary way, Monica invents and renews typologies within industrial, furniture and object design. Monica has been awarded Designer of the Year, Sweden, 2006 and 2007; Excellent Swedish Design; Design Plus in Germany; and was awarded the FutureDesigndays Award in 2002. She has also been represented in the International Design Yearbook.

Name: Monica Förster.

Born: 1968.

Family: Son Bruno, 3.5.

Field: Industrial design.

Educational background: 1995 Beckmans School of Design, 1997 Konstfack.

Main clients and/or projects: Poltrona Frau, Tacchini, Modus, I+I carpets, Offecct, Swedese and Design House Stockholm, among others.

Favorite object of design: Cashmere carpets for I+I carpets. In the photo, samples of the cashmere carpets made from fractal patterns, made into pillows.

Sources of inspiration: Life.

Design philosophy: Inspiration is easy – ideas are hard work. The work is in transforming the inspiration found in everyday life into valid design ideas.

Favorite designers: Really difficult to say just one person. To mention a few that I have known for many years, I really like Arik Levy. I am so happy that his career is going so well right know. He is a wonderful person, who is very kind, warm and thoughtful. I also really like IIlka Suppanen for the same reasons. To mention someone in Sweden, I would say Thomas Sandell.

Hidden talent: I’m very good at table tennis and other sports (except skiing).

The music you play while working: The radio mostly and my assistants’ tastes in music.

What tools do you always have out on your desk in your studio? My pen.

Favorite material and color: I don’t have a favorite material. It all depends on the idea.

This Report is part of an article that was published in LOFT The Nordic BOOKAZINE Summer Issue 2008 Volume #6.

It was written by Charlotte West, American writer and journalist living in Sweden. Please feel free to check out her website www.curiosity.se for further info.