Circles of Universal Language: a conversation with Daphna Laurens
Dutch Design Week 2024: together we explore how to create meaningful connections in ever-evolving Eindhoven
The exhibition ‘Circles of Universal Language’ is presented by the municipality of Eindhoven in collaboration with Dutch Invertuals during Dutch Design Week 2024. This exhibition showcases ten designers who demonstrate the power of universal language in creating meaningful encounters. Through bi-weekly meetings, conversations, observations, and research, each designer contributes their unique perspective and approach.
We speak with Daphna Laurens about their ‘Hello’ project, an installation with a welcoming arch designed to encourage spontaneous encounters in a familiar, archetypal setting of togetherness.
“Every meaningful encounter begins with a moment of eye contact, a nod, or a simple hello.”
Daphna Laurens
Daphna Laurens designs both poetic and functional industrial products and spaces. The studio gives shape to thoughts, objects, products, and spaces, focusing on creating high-quality work with a recognisable aesthetic.
Can you elaborate on your ‘Hello’ installation and how it seeks to foster meaningful encounters in Eindhoven?
Creating meaningful encounters is a challenging yet purposeful task. What kinds of ‘objects’ can positively impact the experience of public spaces, and how can they influence people’s behaviour? This is a significant question! That’s why we set out to make it manageable by starting with the basics: a simple “Hello.”
Every meaningful encounter begins with a moment of eye contact, a nod, or a simple “Hello.” By designing simple, accessible public space ‘objects’ with a warm and welcoming presence, we aim to foster those moments of human connection.
Could you share more about your creative process and the design choices that influenced your work?
The shape of our ‘object’ or ‘installation’ was clear from the very beginning. The next step is refining the design and selecting materials. A simple line drawing effectively communicates the concept, but how will the ‘object’ look and feel when built in the real world? Since there is no specifically defined location for the ‘objects,’ we realised that the materiality of our ‘Hello’ project can adapt to its surroundings.
“An important part of our design process is to create ‘objects’ that attract people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds by using familiar shapes, materials, and concepts.”
Daphna Laurens
In your opinion, how does ‘Hello’ communicate a universal message? What do you hope audiences will take away from their experience with it?
The moment you step into a space, you look around and greet those who are ‘inside.’ Conversely, those who are already ‘inside’ will notice that someone is entering the ‘space’ and greet that person, or even welcome them. We have translated this simple concept into an ‘object’ in public space. The design, we believe, speaks for itself; through the created ‘entrance,’ we encourage the ‘users’ to offer a simple greeting, and hopefully, everything that might follow from that.
Was there a specific lesson from the process that significantly impacted you or changed your perspective?
It is always amazing and insightful to work on projects like these in a group setting—learning from each other’s points of view, being surprised by the perspectives of your fellow designers, and gathering meaningful feedback that helps your project mature and become more refined. For example, as Remco van de Craats of Edhv said, “Meeting each other can happen at different moments in time.” You don’t need to be in the same place at the same time to share the same experience.
Location
Strijp-S area
Ketelhuisplein
Map No. B4
Open
Sat 19 Oct 11:00 – 18:00
Sun 20 Oct 11:00 – 18:00
Mon 21 Oct 11:00 – 18:00
Tue 22 Oct 11:00 – 18:00
Wed 23 Oct 11:00 – 18:00
Thu 24 Oct 11:00 – 18:00
Fri 25 Oct 11:00 – 18:00
Sat 26 Oct 11:00 – 18:00
Sun 27 Oct 11:00 – 18:00
Access Free
