Meet New Works: Creative Director, Knut Bendik Humlevik
As Co-founder and Creative Director of New Works, Knut Bendik Humlevik takes the lead on the visual expression of New Works, working with designers, product developers and creatives to create new pieces and shape the aesthetic universe.
What would you say are the fundamentals of good design?
Basically, some kind of harmony or balanced relation between function and aesthetics. When we work with design at New Works, we try not to overcomplicate things. I like when design is easy to understand and interact with. If we create a very technical lamp, it must be intuitive and effortless for the user. However, I’m not an advocate for a strict minimalism driven only by function. I think beauty is equally important; how the objects we surround ourselves with please our senses.
How do you like to unwind?
I spend much of my spare time in my garden. We have a rather large plot and gardening combines my love of the outdoors with my aesthetic aspirations. I often have my eldest son out with me, and together we observe how the seasons change and work on the various tasks that the upkeep and growth of the garden entail. This for me, is the best way to unwind.
"I spend much of my spare time in my garden. We have a rather large plot and gardening combines my love of the outdoors with my aesthetic aspirations."
What's your favourite New Works piece in your home?
The Kizu Table Lamp must be my all-time favorite piece. During the times we have moved or rearranged, the Kizu lamp has always found its spot. It continues to intrigue me how the banality of geometric shapes can create something so sculptural and dramatic.
Where do you find your inspiration?
I mainly seek inspiration in craftsmanship and art, as well as in design and architecture from areas south of Scandinavia, especially from Belgium. Belgians like Vincent Van Duysen and Axel Vervoordt really know how to use materials to create clean interiors combining minimalism with softness and tactility.
Which features attract you to an item?
Sculptural form, which can come from simple geometry, along with the tactility of honest materials are what most often appeals to me. A piece can be simple or technical, the common detonator for my attraction to it, is that it possesses a poetic quality.
"A piece can be simple or technical, the common detonator for my attraction to it, is that it possesses a poetic quality."
What would you say are the fundamentals of good design?
Basically, some kind of harmony or balanced relation between function and aesthetics. When we work with design at New Works, we try not to overcomplicate things. I like when design is easy to understand and interact with. If we create a very technical lamp, it must be intuitive and effortless for the user. However, I’m not an advocate for a strict minimalism driven only by function. I think beauty is equally important; how the objects we surround ourselves with please our senses.
How do you like to unwind?
I spend much of my spare time in my garden. We have a rather large plot and gardening combines my love of the outdoors with my aesthetic aspirations. I often have my eldest son out with me, and together we observe how the seasons change and work on the various tasks that the upkeep and growth of the garden entail. This for me, is the best way to unwind.
"I spend much of my spare time in my garden. We have a rather large plot and gardening combines my love of the outdoors with my aesthetic aspirations."
What's your favourite New Works piece in your home?
The Kizu Table Lamp must be my all-time favorite piece. During the times we have moved or rearranged, the Kizu lamp has always found its spot. It continues to intrigue me how the banality of geometric shapes can create something so sculptural and dramatic.
Where do you find your inspiration?
I mainly seek inspiration in craftsmanship and art, as well as in design and architecture from areas south of Scandinavia, especially from Belgium. Belgians like Vincent Van Duysen and Axel Vervoordt really know how to use materials to create clean interiors combining minimalism with softness and tactility.
Which features attract you to an item?
Sculptural form, which can come from simple geometry, along with the tactility of honest materials are what most often appeals to me. A piece can be simple or technical, the common detonator for my attraction to it, is that it possesses a poetic quality.
"A piece can be simple or technical, the common detonator for my attraction to it, is that it possesses a poetic quality."
Next Read
Five questions for designers Panter & Tourron
With a strong focus on research into new formal codes and visual experiences, the Swiss studio of Panter & Tourron works at the intersection of technology, design and society. Material and technological innovation allows for unexpected work that is set to redefine a new vision of luxury.
