For industrial designer Hlynur Atlason 鈥01, finding a creative solution to a client鈥檚
needs is first and foremost about research. Conducting research allows a
designer 鈥渢o build a really solid picture, to then be able to design with
confidence,鈥 he explains.
This approach extends far beyond customer demographics or intel on competitors; it involves observing and speaking with anyone who might touch the product his firm, ATLASON/studio, is designing.
Atlason didn鈥檛 set out to be a designer; he certainly didn鈥檛 take such a methodical approach to life. Born in Reykjavik, Iceland, Atlason had a vague notion of designing cars or motorcycles but moved to Paris 鈥渢o chase a girl.鈥 He found his way to Parsons
Paris and finished a BFA in Industrial Design at Parsons in New York, where he learned the hard way to always question first assumptions.
After spending a few years in branding, Atlason returned to his true passion and opened a design studio in Soho in 2003. His output includes furniture for Design Within Reach and Ercol, home goods for the MoMA Design Store, packaging for Xbox and The
Sill, and Billie, an ergonomic body razor for women. Diverse as they may seem, his projects all reflect Atlason鈥檚 deep commitment to research.
Atlason developed the chair shown at left in response to a call for compact contemporary seating put out by John McPhee, President of Design Within Reach and Herman Miller Retail. Of the result, McPhee says, 鈥淭he Li虂na Swivel chair embodies Hlynur鈥檚 ability
to harmonize aesthetics, sustainability, and comfort in pieces you want to keep for years. His research-driven methodology offers promise for companies who want to stay at the front edge of sustainable practice.鈥
Atlason jokes that his native Iceland has a saying for times when things aren鈥檛 coming together: 鈥溍瀍tta reddast,鈥 鈥淚t will work out.鈥 Judging from Atlason鈥檚 success, it certainly has.