What Women are Making, Austria | Design along the Danube

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What Women are Making, Austria | Design along the Danube

Monie.ka was the first interview I pursued in launching What Women Make and I’m happy to now introduce this Austrian designer who lives along the River Danube making beautiful and optimally useful objects. I love her interview answers and I learned a new word. Haptic. characterized by a predilection for the sense of touch. That’s Monie.ka.

Monie.ka works with her partner James to make beautiful – or maybe handsome is the word – lifestyle accessories from felt. I was drawn to their simplicity and elegance without being stuffy, drab or ordinary. They one better Filofax and Moleskin in their ability to solve space and organizational challenges with wit and grace using pockets, straps, and leather detail. They have a store and great inspiration blog called Life is Hard Graft, both worth checking out.

Monie.ka of course was a jumping off point to begin an investigation into Austrian createuses and crafts. I browsed “MAK” the Musem of Applied Arts and Contemporary Art in Vienna.

I browsed the University of Applied Arts which houses an impressively comprehensive Art & Technology department and a slightly enigmatic “Centre for Art and Know-How Transfer” department which includes “the handling of unusual constellations, problem-solving competence, a contemplative ability.” (Sign me up!)

Through Pure Austrian Design, I discovered Lucy D’s vein glasses (“Ro”), Creepy but coolly elegant, Renate Hattinger’s organ inspired ceramics (“Think Tank”) and Dejana Kabilijo’s table made of a paper tablet (Scriboman) which is included in MAC’s permanent collection. Sonja Vrbovsky’s product design also enticed, with her easy wellies with pull-up handles and handcrafted cellulose 3d place mats.

Austria’s female talent is endless so without further adieu, here’s Monie.ka.

Where were you born?
I was born and grew up in Austria in a small village in the foothills of the Alps.

Where are you now?
I work in a castle in the Wachau, One of Austria’s well know wine and apricot regions right on the Danube.

Did the place where you grew up influence your design?
I had a very romantic and imaginative childhood – playing outside with my friends in the woods and inventing stories. Definitely one of the reasons why I like down to earth design, the natural haptic experience.

What are the advantages of working in a design partnership over working solo?
I love to work with my partner James as we come up individually with ideas and bring it to the next, much greater level by talking and brainstorming together. We are a very good team and inspire each other to achieve the best with everything we do. It’s this interaction I would really miss working solo.

What is the most important thing that you learned in design school?
I went to a fashion college in Vienna and developed my style and passion for natural sustainable
Materials there. In being in a class full of different personalities and characters the most important thing I learned is that tastes are very different and as long as you love what you create, there will be someone out there which shares the same feeling about it.

How do you think the role of design is changing? / What will the future role of design be?
Design is a very important factor these days and I’m happy that the appeal of non mass-produced products with a high standard of quality is growing.

What is your favorite time of day to work?
For me the evenings are the best time of the day to work creatively as the business side of our company has been dealt with throughout the day and my mind can finally relax.

Do you consciously bring any regional or cultural influence into your design?
For us the regional influence is very important. James, being the English expat he is, definitely re-opened my eyes about Austrian culture. The quality, the materials and seeing small inspiring things all around me.

Fabric seems to be key with Hardgraft. I live in a city, Barcelona, which seems to be crazy about felt. Why felt? What other materials do you like?
I’m fascinated by felt and leather as they have such a long history. They are natural, sustainable and absolutely durable. It’s the feeling of these two materials juxtaposed which for hard graft is the perfect combination.

Do you participate in any other art form? If so, what? (writing, fine arts, dance, etc)
As well as fashion design I also have a passion for graphic design. A while back I taught myself all the important programs like Photoshop, Indesign,… and worked successfully as an art director in some of the biggest ad agencies in Austria and Germany.

Any other female designers that you think readers should check out?
I love everything wool so my insider tip would be Yokoo. Her approach to knitwear is really refreshing and inspiring.

Where do you sell?
We sell our products direct from our online shop as it’s a great way to reach people all around the world who share the same eye for design as us.

Any blogs or design resources you like in particular?
I love tumblr for inspiration and it’s a great creative and varied community full – our tumblr is hardgraft.tumblr.com