Interview: Tim Teven Studio - Love for metal inherited from great-grandfather

Based in Eindhoven, The Netherlands Tim Teven graduated from the Design Academy Eindhoven and founded his own studio. He applies a technique- and material-oriented approach, experimenting with his hands and working with materials in unconventional ways. He often uses the creative process itself as a tool to determine the form and function of the final outcome, resulting in functional yet fascinating objects. Founded in 2018, his studio combines industrial techniques with innovative design methods to create works that continue the traditions of his family's blacksmith business.

Please tell us about your background and activities.

I graduated from the Design Academy Eindhoven in 2018 and have had my own studio in Eindhoven ever since. My work has always revolved around experimenting with materials within the realm of production techniques. I am particularly interested in the transformation of metal as a design tool. Actually, my family is blacksmiths - my great-grandfather was a blacksmith and the business has been passed down for generations. Now I pursue my love and skill for metal in the field of collectibles and interior design.

Currently, I am working on developing my Tube series to expand my collection of objects made with the same materials and techniques. I also love collaborating with other designers and fashion brands to create signature pieces. Recently, I worked with Flora Lechner on a trash can called TF V1-05 Ultra Dust, and have collaborated on various projects with Stone Island, RIMOWA and ARTE. I am always very interested in such collaborations, and hope to see more of them in the future. Meanwhile, I would like to focus more on the interior design direction. Currently, I am working on several interior projects, but in the future, I would like to be able to do more interior projects where I can design the entire space with my own handwriting and material skills.

Did you feel like you were destined to be a designer from a young age?

I wanted to be a designer from a young age. Ever since I was a child I loved to make things. Now I work with metal and in a way I feel like I'm walking in the footsteps of a family tradition, but it also feels more like a coincidence. It would be logical to say that it was a big influence, but it just happened without me realizing it.

What's the story behind the Tube series?

The starting point was how to make interesting objects using iron pipes, which are like semi-finished products like materials. Using the technology of transformation, I was able to create interesting shapes and at the same time obtain a system to create various works. The first piece I made was the "Tube Bench," but when you look at the series as a whole, this starting point itself has become less important.

The shapes are therefore a direct result of the technique I use: the deformation of a tube through a series of mechanical movements. I use the properties of the material and the resulting deformation of the shape to translate them into functional pieces. As a result, a technical and mechanical gesture is translated into a self-generated beauty. I blur the line between designing every detail and an accidental result. The pieces show the interplay between mechanical and hand-made movements.

"TF V1-05 Ultra Dust" was born from a collaboration with Flora Manon Lechner. How did this collaboration come about?

Our collaboration with Flora started when we exhibited together in the exhibition " The Alligator and the Bird ". The theme of the exhibition was symbiotic relationships, and it was a group exhibition with pairs of works. Flora and I came up with the idea of ​​a set of tools: a trash can, a broom and a dustpan, because these sets of tools are necessary for each other to function. Without the broom the dustpan is useless and vice versa. Apart from that, we thought it would be interesting to design and make tools like these, since they are usually not very good looking or designed.

We are looking to create more cleaning tools together in the future to expand the series.

Moreover, we think that our values ​​regarding form are well matched, so we plan to continue our collaboration. Recently, we exhibited our work together at COLLECTIBLE in Brussels , where Flora exhibited her new collection of lamps alongside my works from the Tube series.

Most of your works have a function that serves a particular need. Do you consider fulfilling a functional need an essential aspect of your work?

While I don't believe functionality is essential, giving an object a function is always part of my design process. I start by experimenting with materials. When these experiments produce interesting shapes and details, I then start thinking about how I can use those details and shapes in a functional way, giving purpose to the final product.

On the other hand, we also enjoy playing with the boundaries of functionality, and as we can see with the TF V1-05 Ultra Dust, creative design can still fulfill a function.

How do you balance experimentation with practicality in your design process?

That's a difficult question (laughs). To be honest, I don't really think about it that deeply. In my process, I try to find a balance between beauty and functionality. And as I said before, I find it very interesting to play with this balance. I enjoy exploring and playing with the boundaries between functionality and abstraction.

You seem to have a special love for metals. When did you start working with metals?

I guess it's because of the environment I grew up in. I was always surrounded by metal. As a kid, I would spend every Saturday playing in my dad's metalworking shop, tinkering with tools and scrap wood. So for me, it kind of just happened unplanned. I'm very proud to be continuing my family's metalworking tradition in my own way.

Do you plan to continue using metal or are you interested in other materials?

I think my love for metal will always be there, but I am also very interested in other materials in general - I don't have any other materials I have plans to work with right now, but I am interested in glass, clay, brick, textiles, wood, etc.

You work together with artisans to create your works. What is your relationship with them like?

Actually, I do most of the work myself in the studio, where I work alongside students who help me through the design process from start to finish.

The work we outsource is mainly the surface finishing of the finished product. Surface finishing is a very important element of our work, and we are always looking for new techniques or experimenting with existing techniques to achieve a finish that is outside of the box.

For this reason, we work with local metal finishing companies that specialize in galvanizing, chrome plating, anodizing, powder coating, etc. We try hot galvanizing in combination with electro-galvanizing passivation, for example. With galvanizing, for example, we experimented a lot together to achieve certain colors. We also tried mixing and layering powder coatings to get some unconventional shades. The translucent red of the Tube Table is the result.

Are there any craftsmen you would like to work with or technologies you would like to use in the future?

Rather than collaborating with craftsmen and their technology, I would like to collaborate with companies that produce industrial products. Currently, I am in contact with a company that produces aluminum extrusions, and we are considering whether we can do something experimental using their production technology.

Anyway, I'm always interested in experimenting with metal finishing techniques. I recently visited a brick factory and got really excited about the possibility of collaborating with them to create something interesting using their brick-making techniques.

I also met a Japanese designer living in Tokyo recently, and we were discussing whether I could research traditional Japanese craft techniques, ask Japanese artisans to make them, and create a series for the Japanese market. It's something I'd like to try, and I'm sure I could learn a lot from it.

I'm curious about what kind of music you listen to at work and in your private life. Can you tell me some of your favorite songs?

This may sound strange, but I love music, but for some reason I don't listen to it much while I'm working. Outside of work, I listen to a wide range of music, from jazz to hip-hop to electronic music, preferably something a little experimental and avant-garde. I've always been on the lookout for new music, but lately I've been so focused on work that I don't have much time to do so. I hope that one day I'll be able to explore music again.

Are there any Japanese designers or cultures that have inspired your work?

I won't pick one person in particular, but I really love Japanese fashion. I'm particularly impressed by the work of Issey Miyake. He incorporates techniques as tools into his designs, so I feel like there's some overlap between my own work and his. I think his work is truly amazing.

You are based in Eindhoven. Is it an important place to work?

Not really. I studied in Eindhoven and set up my studio there. It's a good place to start a designer's base and there's an inspiring community of designers there. Also, the annual Dutch Design Week is a great opportunity to present my work. It's a great place in that respect, but it doesn't have a direct impact on the work I do.

Can you tell us a bit about the new work you're currently in the final stages of?

In fact, I am currently working on a series that applies a surface finishing technique that I have been experimenting with for a long time.