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Where I Work: Sebastian Errazuriz

For this month’s Where I Work, we go behind-the-scenes with trailblazing artist and designer, Sebastian Errazuriz, who is hot off the success of his 12 Shoes for 12 Lovers (read Part 1 & Part 2) project and his Blow Me installation. No stranger to a bit of controversy, the New York-based workaholic exhibits work around the world and he’s currently prepping for his first solo museum exhibition at the Carnegie Museum of Art this Fall. Let’s have a look inside his Industry City studio in Brooklyn to see where the Chilean-born designer makes all the magic happen.

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What is your typical work style?

I arrive at the studio at 7:30 AM every morning, I work until 7:30 PM. On Saturdays I arrive at 9, work until 6.

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[Wait, is that a coffin? Yes, it’s his Boat Coffin design.]

What’s your studio environment like?

I have four people helping out on a variety of projects. The number may occasionally grow depending on the projects. I handle approximately 40 projects in parallel so I need the studio to be tight and offer mental tranquility. We try to keep it white and clean like a laboratory.

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How is your office organized/arranged?

The studio is divided by areas: There’s an area for works on paper, prints, 3D prints, and computer work. An area for fabrication of new pieces, an area for assembly and a storage area for finished works. We also have a “gallery area” for evaluating, showing, and photographing work. Finally there is a very small area where I have some exercise machines to work out in between because I would never have time to go to the gym otherwise.

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If you could change something about your workspace, what would it be?

Nothing. I am extremely fortunate and grateful to have my dream studio. I was able to rent out a full open floor and therefore every wall, door or electric outlet was built following my own design layout. The building also has a rooftop with a view of the NY skyline that’s perfect to remind yourself how tiny and insignificant we are and get right back to work.

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Is there an office pet?

No pets, unless they are mummified.

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How do you record ideas?

I have a wall that holds approximately 1200 sheets of A4 paper. It gets taken down and replaced with new ones at the end of every cycle.

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What kind of design objects might you have scattered about the space?

Always depends on which artworks or designs I’m working on at the moment.

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Are there tools and/or machinery in your space?

We have a complete traditional wood shop and we hope to acquire soon a mid-size CNC. We also have a couple of 3D printers, photo printers, a vinyl plotter, etc.

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What tool do you most enjoy using in the design process?

I’m happy with just pen and paper. I like carving too.

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Let’s talk about how you’re wired. Tell me about your tech arsenal/devices.

We have some high tech stuff but we work mostly with old school traditional tools.

What design software do you use, and for what?

We use a full range of software but consider them simple tools. The idea will always dictate whichever software we need depending on the projects we are working on.

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Do you have a favorite piece or collection that you’ve designed?

Not really, I’m always more interested in the new projects I’m working on.

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When did you feel like you “made it”? With what design? At what moment/circumstances?

I don’t feel I have made it yet. I hope maybe in a few more years.

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Tell us about a current project you’re working on. What was the inspiration behind it?

A Norton motorcycle that tries to capture the inherent power and vulnerability of the rider.

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What’s on your desk right now?

Always papers with ideas and coffee.

Do any of your designs live in your home or personal life?

None, my home looks like a generic hotel room. My life is at the studio.

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Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.