DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: SEBASTIAN HERKNER

A German designer whose star is still very much rising

Blending cultures and materials, Sebastian Herkner has very quickly paved his way in the world of design. Since graduating from the Offenbach University of Art and Design in 2007, he has established his own studio and designed for the likes of ClassiCon, Moroso, La Chance, Sancal and Rosenthal.

Despite being in the early stages of his career, Sebastian’s work demonstrates a strong identity and sense of self. He has already forged a firm design philosophy that revolves around quality and staying power. “I don’t want to do something trendy, I want to do something which is a classic piece and fits different interiors. I want to get the best quality in a product,” he explains.

Craftsmanship is an essential pillar of his designs, which are all handcrafted. He appreciates the tiny imperfections that tell a story of the work that went into an object. For Moroso’s M’Afrique collection, he worked closely with Senegalese craftsmen to create the Banjooli chair, which was inspired by the mating dance of male ostriches and fabricated using the same threads used in fishing nets.