Sebastian Holmbäck was born in 1971 and graduated from Denmarks Design School specialised in furniture and space design. He has been nominated for the prestigious Bo Bedre design award several times, and in 2004 he won a Red Dot Award for the popular LOOP Candleholder from Georg Jensen.
As a young designer Holmbäck challenged the role practical elements play in our lives, and thus applies a multifaceted approach to his work. “To me it is important to create products with which the user can interact. It lies in our nature to solve riddles – and it creates stronger emotional bond if the user is forced to decipher the product and reflect over its functionality. A product appeals to the fantasy if a story is enclosed or it contains an element of interaction – either explicitly or more discreetly. Actually most products come to life through our interaction with whether they are completely practical or offer a whole different story.
Like any designer I enjoy watching my creations being produced and traded, but it is frustrating to experience how unreflective and uncritical consumers are. All products should bear a sign next to the price tag reading “Do you really need this product?” I believe in addressing this problem by creating products which invite for interaction. The candleholder I created for Georg Jensen is a basic product, but it contains an element of mystery which catches the users attention for just a moment – thus engaging the individual – and I like that.”
