Designer Stefan Diez On The Brilliance Of The Everyday

This week Carole chats to German industrial designer Stefan Diez. One of the best in the business, Diez's designs touch the everyday, from baths to chairs, bar stools and benches. His design is firmly rooted in the workshop, where he indulges his passion for material experimentation. The son of a cabinetmaker he says he had the perfect childhood, being left alone in his father's workshop. He lectures at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna but beware students trying to impress. His message to young designers: ‘Don't think you’re special and don't start by making meaningful things. Keep it simple and respect the materials. Go and explore. I like to be surprised by ingenious ideas that simplify everything, like a magic trick.'