We had the opportunity to ask Matthias Pliessnig some questions about his work as a designer.

How did you learn to do what you do?
I earned a BFA in Furniture Design from the Rhode Island School of Design. There, I learned how to properly work with wood as a material and where I could begin pushing the characteristics of wood. Later, I built a boat which added a vast array of new skills to my library. At the time, I was also experimenting with 3D modeling as a sketching tool. Combining boat building techniques, furniture techniques, and 3D modeling, allowed me to make forms I could not have previously imagined.
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Did you start making your pieces with the intention of making this your full time job or was it just a hobby?
After graduating from RISD, I knew that I was destined to be a starving designer due to my own arrogance and passion. It quickly became my life and it never was a hobby. As a student, I was immersed in a world that took over every aspect of every day.
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Is your work more furniture or sculpture?
Furniture
What has been your largest project to date?
I’ve completed a series of projects that are of equal scale for corporate lobbies across the United States. In the coming year, the projects are stretching to Europe and the Middle East.
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Do you work by yourself or do you have assistants or employees that help?
I normally have at least one other person working with me. However, I mostly work alone.
What would be your dream commission?
Architecture
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Who is your typical client and how do they find out about you?
Today, I my typical clients are architects and interior designers. They normally find out about me through blogs and/or magazine publications. Sometimes, it’s simply “word of mouth”.
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How long does it take you to make your average piece?
The large scale pieces take between 3-4 months to complete. I try to have two or more pieces under construction simultaneously. Three pieces take about the same amount of time as one.
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What is the furthest place you have ever sold your work?
Paris, France
