Designer Talks: Meet Carsten Gollnick
Carsten Gollnick is a German industrial designer, born in Berlin. He founded his studio, Carsten Gollnick Design, in 1997 in Potsdam. His design philosophy blends purity and modern elegance, often combining noble materials with functional aesthetics. Gollnick’s work has earned more than 80 international design awards and includes collaborations with prominent brands like COSTA NOVA.
As a designer, you stand in the “object culture” and defend the beauty of functional objects. How does this belief manifest in the collections you developed for COSTA NOVA?
For me, design goes beyond the perception of a form, a sculpture and color. I try to integrate values that are sometimes not immediately visible, but which generate lasting mindfulness and joy when used. Those who view their surroundings and nature with respect can also develop an eye for their details and the aesthetics they contain.
When designing a tabletop collection for hospitality, what is your number one priority?
You have to understand that tableware is an important ambassador for the restaurant or chef when it comes to the guest.
The restaurateur wants to present their offerings and culinary art in a harmonious and inspiring way and package it in an interesting message.
In addition to my strong sculptural design approach, I therefore always try to design both the functional level of food presentation and the subtle emotional level.
You also need to understand how people think and how things actually work in the catering industry in order to design objects that are aesthetically pleasing, functional and durable.
In this respect, you could say that I design highly aesthetic presentation tools for Chefs rather than tableware.
What do all the hospitality collections you’ve designed for COSTA NOVA have in common?
Despite different formal designs, I always follow the same design approach: I present the brand with a highly aesthetic and functional collection concept that matches its character.
How do you incorporate the brand’s identity into your creative process?
Over the years, COSTA NOVA has developed a very strong character and its own personality. As a designer, I am involved in a network of collaborations with people. I find it very interesting to try to sense the identity and contribute to adding another facet to the character.
For me, COSTA NOVA is a brand whose roots in Portugal are part of its identity. I therefore always try to take these aspects into account while still bringing in new ideas and inspiration.
This applies less to formal aspects and more to things like attitude and respect for culture.
You speak of creating mindful objects with strong character. How does this idea translate into tableware collections, especially in the high-demand world of hospitality?
In addition to my strong sculptural design approach, I therefore always try to design both the functional level of food presentation and the subtle emotional level. Ideally, this results in a strong character.
I can only really explain this in the context of object culture, as you have already asked.
For me, design goes beyond the perception of a form, a sculpture and colour. I try to integrate values that are sometimes not immediately visible, but which generate lasting mindfulness and joy when used . For me, an object is more than just its function: it tells stories, evokes associations and memories, inspires through poetic design, material aesthetics, sound and the beauty of its functionality.
In your view, what role can a sustainable design approach play in contemporary design? For example, how can the use of eco-friendly materials, such as cork, contribute to the goals of ecodesign?
The profession of designer is very rewarding and also very responsible.
This is because designers are often the first to choose the materials and processing methods for a design, and therefore have the opportunity to influence the dimensions of sustainability and its impact.
As an active designer, I believe it is important to acquire a great deal of knowledge about ecological footprints and materials in order to avoid the unnecessary and promote the useful.
I am very happy that the COSTA NOVA team is equally critical and shares the same attitude. This leads to very good and meaningful discussions about design and the relevance of products.
How did you approach the challenge of developing a porcelain collection in collaboration with a brand or producer traditionally focused on stoneware?
Both materials come from the same product culture, the world of ceramics. And yet each material has its own specific properties.
Both materials create a meaningful and aesthetic mix on a beautifully laid table.
The COSTA NOVA team didn't need this explained to them, as they are deeply rooted in the world of ceramics. So the knowledge of the beauty of shaped and fired ceramics was already there. I only had to add specific details and differences in the development process and design based on my many years of experience with porcelain.
It was a wonderful and inspiring process that had a positive influence on both sides.
Read the full issue of The Hospitality Journal here.
