Debra Folz – The Whole Story

Auteur : Esther | 09-26-2011

These cool, contemporary photo albums caught my eye as a great gift idea! Designed by Boston, Massachusetts, based designer, Debra Folz, the Whole Story photo albums offer a great unconventional design which encourages us to develop all those photos stored on our hard drives!

Originally from Long Island, New York, Debra draws inspiration from the materials, livelihoods of coastal communities, as well as early childhood memories. These inspirations can be found within the furniture and tabletop accessories she designs and manufactures.

I love her story, her point of view, maybe you will too.

When did you know you wanted to become a designer?
Growing up I can remember scavenging the discarded furniture piles of neighbors and dragging them to my backyard clubhouse to arrange interior vignettes.  I also recall climbing up on top of my bedroom dresser to be able to pull myself over to a shelf on the wall, and thinking «sitting on a shelf on a wall is amazing, why isn’t this a chair?” And in my adult life, I remember the first time I saw the «3 skin chair» by Ron Arad.  I simply and very absolutely thought, «That is for me, I want to be a part of that»

What was the first object you designed?
At age 17, before ever considering a path in design, I was enrolled in a more traditional four-year liberal arts college and lived in a loft apartment.  After growing concern I would one night roll off the side of my lofted bed and fall 10 feet down, I decided to build a wooden partition.  I had never built anything out of wood, and I had never really used hand tools before.  I went to the hardware store, picked out anything that looked like it would work, and even drew a little plan for construction.  I remember working on it for hours and hours with no concept of how much time had passed, I was totally lost in it.  I have made things all my life, but this was the first recollection I have of designing something.

What comes first for you when designing, the materials or the design idea?

It can vary by project, and tends to be a back and forth.  Sometimes I will begin with a very clear idea and once I begin to explore it through materials, it can change dramatically.  I have learned that allowing myself to stray from the original direction and follow discoveries is very important.  Other times I’ve been intrigued by a materials potential and will work exclusively and directly with manipulating it [100% wax table].  Material exploration, in my mind, does not have to be the newest materials to market, or extremely «smart» technology, but more the reconsideration of how we use materials to tell a story and even find that the reinterpretation of existing materials or traditional manufacturing to be just as exciting.  For example, using sand to show a message [Thu Comparison] or traditional bookbinding techniques to create a non-traditional book form [Whole Story albums].

Who are your favorite designers and how do they inspire you?
To name a few specifically: Ron Arad for his exploration of material properties; Patricia Urquiola and Hella Jongerious for their ability to design for mass production while maintaining the feeling of handmade objects; and FRONT design studio for their ability to create physical objects initiated by conceptual curiosity.

Do you have a favorite among all your creations, if so why is this your favorite?
I’ve found the most enjoyment through pieces, which allow the user to associate their own memories and value.  For example, the «Whole Story» photo albums hold an owners personal history through stories.  I also produce a keepsake box named «Accumulation», designed for two friends as a wedding gift, which allows the owner to track time that has passed since a special event.  So my favorite thing may be when people take these objects into their home and use them to tell their own stories.

What do you like to do when you have a moment for yourself?
Most people find this surprising but fishing is one of my favorite things.  Originally from Long Island, I grew up fishing and find it extremely relaxing and meditative.  I draw a great deal of inspiration from coastal environments and communities for my work.

What are your current projects?
Most recently I was asked to design a rug for auction, which has been produced in collaboration with Landry & Arcari carpets of Boston.  It was extremely exciting to learn the traditional techniques of hand knotted rugs and I enjoyed considering how I could use these established techniques to produce a more contemporary object.  The auction proceeds will benefit Barakat, a Cambridge, Mass.-based charity promoting educational opportunities for women and children in central and south Asia.

DEBRA FOLZ


450 HARRISON AVE, STE#412C

BOSTON, MA 02118
debra@debrafolz.com
516.429.2273