Southern Sweden’s next generation of design talent has been brought together for a unique exhibition at Dutch Design Week, called What’s Your DNA?. Here, the designers share the stories and inspirations behind their work, revealing the common threads running through this young, local design scene.

What’s Your DNA? is taking place during Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven at Klokgebouw 50 from 21st to 29th October. For opening hours and directions visit the website here.

Since he was a boy, Helsingborg-based furniture designer Ola Giertz has been fascinated with materials and experimented with different methods of handling them. Whether working for brands or on studio projects, those early trials are what led to the sense of playfulness in the graphic, minimalist pieces he makes today.

What was your path to becoming a designer?
I built my first chair in high school and this incredible teacher at the time said to me: “Ola, this is your path in life!”. He’s why I studied furniture design for five years – that, and my grandfather being a well-known wood turner.

Where do you get your ideas from?
From everywhere. I carry sketchbooks, always. Even at night the subconscious mind works, and I’ve found that right before falling asleep is a very creative moment. I have a pile of those books now, like a small bag of inspiration.

How do you try to achieve timelessness in your work?
My design idiom is evolving, but to create ideas that last, I scale down until only the most basic form remains. Now I’m comfortable in that way of working, there’s more experimentation.