"Unlike art, design has a function"

Marjorie Gull is part of the team that organizes DESIGNGUT, the trade fair for sustainable design, every year. We caught up with her for a brief interview, where she told us how design is caught between creativity and commerce.

DESIGNGUT is organized by the Association for Beautiful Design. Marjorie Gull has been part of the organizing team for over four years.

DESIGNGUT is a sales fair. How do you see the interplay between artistic freedom and the need to be successful on the market and sell your own products?
It depends on the demands of the labels. Some work sustainably (ecologically, economically and socially) - for others it is an activity where, depending on the case, no large wages have to be paid. To be successful on the market, these two aspects should be in balance and correspond with each other. The key is to combine the two in such a way that creativity is not stifled by economic constraints.

Sustainability and craftsmanship are values that are particularly important at DESIGNGUT. In your opinion, what role does sustainability play in today's design industry and to what extent does it influence market development?
The circular economy is playing an increasingly important role in design in particular. Sustainable products must first be conceived and designed accordingly. The reuse of raw materials and modularity in particular are now fixed components in the design of objects.

Art and design are often caught between creativity and commerce. How does DESIGNGUT support design labels in realizing their artistic visions and being able to survive commercially at the same time?
Unlike art, design has a function. If an object becomes better with creativity (more functional, more durable, less resource-intensive, etc.), this also has artistic aspects. Basically, however, art and design are two different things. First and foremost, we offer them a platform for visibility and networking.

What can visitors to this year's DESIGNGUT look forward to in particular?
Common Goods - focusing on the preservation and promotion of Ticino blueprinting, as well as a lot more passion behind and in front of the scenes.