Aesthetics, with a capital ‘A’ often tops the priority list of a designer. But, here is a designer who thinks of how the product is made first, and then worries about how it looks.
Based out of Jaipur, Ayush Kasliwal is an industrial furniture design graduate from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. Over the years, he has brought international acclaim to Indian crafts through his prolific designs. Ayush’s body of work reflects a beautiful fusion of traditional techniques and a detailed understanding of processes and materials.
Whilst developing ideas that are utilitarian, beautiful and fun, Ayush has provided consistent livelihood to the struggling heirs of our traditional crafts.
Ayush’s designs shape more than just lifestyles, they shape life. He is a designer who sells dreams and at the same time helps few others live theirs. Doesn’t he almost sound like a genie? Let’s find out…
Which materials bring out the best in you?
Any material….any material has a nature, an innate character of what it is, and what it can do. It has its associations, its past.. Dealing with material is very much like dealing with a friend – both give each other space to be.
According to you a revolutionary product should be…
Something that makes us question, that shows how else can it be, something so fundamental that one sits up and kicks oneself.. at the obviousness of it.
What makes you tick as a designer?
The possibilities..
A place that ‘Wows’ you?
The mountains, the awesome mountains – moments of realizing that there are greater, wiser and grander things in the world than ourselves.
A creative work (apart from furniture) that made an impression on you?
Literature – there is so much that a little ink on paper can do, in such a way that our tomorrow is not what we had expected, because WE have changed!!
A ‘must read’ book that you would like to recommend?
A must read book. Hmmmmm there are so many – and after a while we forget the names, but carry the experience – one of the books that I remember the name of from almost 25 years ago – Le Petit Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Simple, but really deep – I recommend it for people of all ages. Another one is 40 Rules Of Love by Elif Shafak, and My name is Red, by Orhan Pamuk.
Who is your biggest critic? And what do they generally have to say?
My family – gets me safely back to the ground, once the wind falters beneath the wings..the general critique is that things sometimes get too conceptual, and ideas, lost in translation
Your favourite pick of ‘simple yet smart’ design?
The abacus – a simple tool, with incredible possibilities.
What are you currently working on?
A range of tools for living – simple things that help us live a little better, a little more easily, a little more beautifully.
A habit which your work staff wishes you should get rid off?
Loosing things in my mess!!
Contact :
ayush@akfdstudio.com
