We are very pleased to feature the profile of Swede David Carlson on NordicDesign!
He is the publisher of David Report, and he is regarded as a highly influential, culturally-connected trend expert in the international design community.
He is regularly invited as a speaker, moderator and panel member at conferences worldwide. He is the co-founder of Designboost, and co-owner Carlson Ahnell, a lifestyle boutique that recently was regarded as ’one of the top 10 boutiques in the world’ by The Observer. Overall, David has an impressive entrepreneurial spirit – He is definitely inspiring!
Where did David Report all started?
I started to work with design back in 1988 when I started David Design, a furniture company working in the forefront of Scandinavian design. Quite soon I realized that my main interest was more strategy than products which eventually made me start David Report – an online trend resource in the intersection of design, culture and commercial life.
What makes good design?
I would say that good design is always made with human beings in mind. Taking culture in account and looking at sustainability out of a holistic perspective.
Trend to watch:
The consumption fatigue we wrote about in the latest issue of David Report. Brands need to speak with a new resonance. Also the social media revolution is interesting to watch – and how it affects our real life as well. Both trends are by the way interconnected.
Any special projects at the moment?
I’m also involved in a knowledge company called Designboost which will do some different events this fall. Among other things we will be in Holland during Dutch Design Week with the theme Design Beyond Design. Another Designboost event will happen in Sweden during the biggest book fair, this time about the future media landscape.
Best thing about your work:
I would say freedom. I used to run a design company with 25 employees. Today I’m working virtual and project based. Sometimes it’s only me (and my dog, walking along the beach) and sometimes I put together international groups of highly skulled persons for a specific project.
You, in three words:
Curious, passionate and a bit lazy (I love the Italian expression ”Dolce far niente” – the beauty of doing nothing…)
What inspires you?
I would say life itself, All my work is based on culture.
“I’m at my most creative when…”:
…I do something else than thinking about creativity. The best ideas pops up when you are in the garden or driving the car.
Best thing(s) about Scandinavia:
Very democratic, the Right of Public Access and also the changes between the different seasons,
Favorite designer/architect:
I’m playing in a rockband and love my Gibson gold top. Functional, timeless and full of emotions. So Les Paul made a great job!
Best design piece you purchased?
My secateurs i use when cutting roses in the garden (I have around 100 different spieces of old roses!)
Favorite shopping spot/store (do you have an address?):
Dare I say our own store Carlson Ahnell in our hometown Skanör-Falsterbo in the southernmost part of Sweden? We were actually named one of the ten best shops in the world by the Observer a while ago!
On your wish list:
More quality time with my four children.
What can’t you live without?
My family
Scandinavian tradition(s) you love:
Midsummer
Favorite travel spot:
I was in Chile last autumn for a lecture and I would love to go back.
You, in five years:
I will probably still don’t know what to do when I grow up…
