Newsletter No. 2
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1. Editor's Note
Dear Sir/Madam.
Here is our second newsletter and we hope you will like it a lot. In last few weeks we have added some great new products and we are about to open the first Birkiland pop up store in Reykjavik. Let's not take any more time from you so just get on with the newsletter.
Thank you for reading
Kjartan & Ingvi |
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2. Opening of the first Birkiland pop up store in Reykjavik
We are going to open the first Birkiland pop up store in Reykjavik on the 4th of October, it’s going to be open for three weeks and located in Gallery Verdandi on Laugavegur 51, 101 Reykjavik.
The Birkiland store will offer great assortment of products designed by many of Iceland’s best designers. We will also have an art exhibit in the store by an young Icelandic artist named Halldor Sturluson.
We are really looking forward to open the store, we will enjoy running the store for three weeks, close it down and in the future open it again in a different place.
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3. New products on Birkiland
Recently we have add some great products in Birkiland that we really appreciate and we want to mention some of them here below: |
Raven with a hook by Ingibjorg Hanna Bjarnadottir
Raven with a Hook is a new version, more traditional, of Raven. Raven with a Hook has the same shape of a raven but instead of a steel wire it got a traditional hook.
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Not Rudolf by Ingibjorg Hanna Bjarnadottir
Not Rudolf is designed by Ingibjorg Hanna Bjarnadottir. It’s a coat rack shaped like reindeer horns where you can hang your cloths or your jewelry.
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Brennivins-cock by Halla Helgadottir
Brennivin, the original Icelandic Schnapps and the unique Icelandic woolen sweater have kept Icelanders warm and lucid for decades. Here is a woolen sock designed to keep the Icelandic schnapps Brennivin cold or hot.
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~Elt by Sruli Recht
Sruli Recht has designed the first Buckless Belt. ~Elt is a completely Icelandic product, from the skin to the hand-made vertical-feed boxes.
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4. Interview with Soley Thorisdottir
Soley is a newly graduated product designer from the Icelandic Academy of Arts. She lives and works in Reykjavik where she's born and raised. We asked her few questions to get to know her a little bit more.
- What is your favorite moment of the day?
First sip of tea or coffee... and if the weather is good, when I ride my bike to work.
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What did you want to be when you were a child?
I wanted to be a vet, a pilot, an architect and an archeologist... I had very high hopes for myself! But today I'm very pleased with what I have decided to focus on, it's both very challenging and rewarding to work as a designer.
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Describe your own style?
As a friend described me: Minimal techno with just the right amount of color and prints, unpretentious and functional, but last but not least, a sneaker-freak! I love sneakers!
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What kind of clothes do you avoid wearing?
Red is not my color, jeans I absolutely hate and mini skirts are not my style.
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Describe your work?
It depends what I'm working on. Sometimes I take myself too seriously so it is important for me to relax and let go - then usually something nice happens and I'm pleased at the end. I always aim for being honest in the things I do, and when I achieve that -I make stuff that is playful and conceptual.
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How is your work influenced by where you live?
I live downtown in the center of Reykjavík, so when I go out walking I love to glance into other people´s houses and see what kind of things they have in their windows for example. I want my designs to be warm, personal and collectible, something people will want to have for a long time.
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Where do you go in Iceland when you want to feel inspired?
To my family's summerhouse at Syðri-Reykir. This summer I went to Flatey and that is one of the most inspiring places I've ever been too. A total must see :) If I don't have time to go the countryside, going for a swim is always a good way to clear your mind and get great ideas.
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Which of your products has given you the most?
My final project at the Academy, Áhöld/Utensils. Working with Ásgeir Reynisson, the silversmith at Erna was the best thing I did during my studies at LHÍ.
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Where do you work on your design?
At home, I have a little workshop in my living room.
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When you are working, do you discuss or exchange ideas with your colleagues?
I think It is crucial to be able to discuss the design process with someone, and yes, I do that ALL THE TIME. I can be a little confused sometimes and if I don't have a fellow designer to talk to, my friends and family usually give good advise.
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How would you describe the design scene in Iceland?
At the moment there are some awesome things going on, just look at the Birkiland collection! I think that Icelanders are now more aware of what designers are capable of doing, it's not just about designing cars and chairs. Young designers are also more outgoing and aware of the opportunities that lie in Icelandic industries, which I think is great.
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How do you see the next 5-7 years of your carrier?
I've made some plans to finish my master degree and I have my eyes set on the Design Academy at Eindhoven. But I also would like to move to Sweden and work there for a while, I´ll just have to wait and see. But for the next couple of years I'm going to stay here in Iceland and work on my own designs as well as freelancing.
Click here to view Soley Thorisdottir profile on Birkiland
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