Dea Eva is a project that unites two young creative souls – Dea Kaker and Eva Ferlan. The beginnings of their joint activity date back two years, when they created the extremely functional, high-quality and visually attractive Kumi coffee table with their joint efforts. When it comes to interior design and product design, connoisseurs emphasize simplicity and multi-functionality and use high-quality materials that are locally available and, above all, durable. Why trade when we can fall in love forever?
How and when did your paths cross and what led to the decision to work together?
We met at a drawing course, as we were both preparing for entrance exams. The fact that we both faced the same problems and fears at the time, and thus quickly became allies and confidants, connected us. In the first year, we saw an announcement for Top Ideas on the bulletin board and immediately decided that we could participate in the competition together.
What inspires you?
We draw inspiration from everything that surrounds us, what we see and experience. We believe that a designer must above all be a good observer. He notices this in himself most during the creative process, when stimuli come to light that were once, somewhere, imprinted in the subconscious.
When it comes to design, they prefer simple, refined and multifunctional. Have you always liked this style? Do you have the same vision or do you come from different perspectives and find yourself somewhere in the middle?
When designing, we strive for simple and spontaneous use and multifunctionality. Each element is well thought out and has a well-defined task. Our views are mostly very similar, otherwise it would be difficult for us to cooperate. Nevertheless, our ideas are often intertwined, and different views do not lead to conflict, but mostly contribute to the higher quality of the final product.
Do you have any domestic or foreign role models or role models?
Our greatest role models are all those who, through persistence and hard work, have achieved to do what makes them truly happy in life. Among the Slovenians, we should mention Niko Zupanc and Niko Kralj, designers who, with their unique products and work philosophy, managed to attract the attention of world-famous companies and thereby establish their names beyond our borders. Foreign role models include Ray and Charles Eames and Tom Dixon.
What is your experience with participating in exhibitions and competitions?
We started our journey with the Top Ideas competition, which we continued with participation in the Ambient exhibition, the Charm of Wood exhibition and the Pop-up home. We consider exhibiting at the Salone internazionale del Mobile in Milan to be our greatest achievement.
We believe that a designer must above all be a good observer.
What are you most proud of so far in your young professional career?
We are proud of all the work done so far, as we put a lot of effort into every single stage of the process. In addition to the Kumi coffee table, we also designed the Fo newspaper stand and the Pina collection of vases and candlesticks.
What is the story behind Kumi?
This was our first product that we designed and manufactured. We wanted to design a coffee table that is multifunctional, offers different ways of use and is at the same time simple and refined. Young people who move to their own place are often limited by the space they have at their disposal. We wanted to offer them an alternative, a piece of furniture that becomes one with the apartment and at the same time enables exceptional usability and good use of space. Roughly, it offers the user at least five different ways of use, and the rest is left to the imagination of each individual.
In your opinion, what is the future of Slovenian design?
It's hard to talk about something that hasn't happened yet. Considering the current situation, we believe that it would be crucial to connect and cooperate with many talented and capable individuals, which is chronically lacking in the Slovenian space. Considering the current situation, in our opinion, it is necessary to think mainly in the direction of how to penetrate foreign markets, unfortunately Slovenia is (too) small a market.
What are the plans going forward? Do you intend to stay on home soil or are you, like many young Slovenian designers, primarily attracted to abroad?
Dea: Abroad is very attractive to me, I feel most at home in Berlin, where I have already been as part of a student exchange and work practice. Once you've experienced the work climate that surrounds studying abroad, it's quite difficult to return home. If the opportunity presents itself, I will not hesitate, because there are relatively more opportunities abroad than at home.
Eva: I only plan for the short term. I am currently looking forward to an internship abroad, and I am also waiting to write my diploma thesis.
