--- title: "Geckeler Michels" url: "https://www.stylepark.com/en/news/geckeler-michels" language: "en" type: "article" description: "New Delivery: are fans of the radical and made the “Nerd”" published: "2015-02-15T00:00:00+01:00" modified: "2023-12-07T13:47:28+01:00" image: "https://www.stylepark.com/assets/articles/2015/geckeler-michels/l2_v357410_1046_237_237-1.jpg" --- News & Stories Feb 15, 2015 # Geckeler Michels ![](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/articles/2015/geckeler-michels/l2_v357410_958_621_500-1.jpg) ![](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/articles/2015/geckeler-michels/l2_v357410_958_308_318-2.jpg) From time to time the attribute „radical“ is glimpsing at the objects by David Geckeler and Frank Michels – as here at „Hollow“ bole made of anodized aluminum. Photo © Geckeler Michels For someone to make a breakthrough like this at the start of his career is quite extraordinary: David Geckeler designed his “Nerd Chair” while still studying in Copenhagen, today “Nerd” is the chair in the Muuto portfolio. Shortly afterwards Geckeler teamed up with his friend and former fellow student Frank Michels, and in 2013 they opened Geckeler Michels design studio in Berlin. So far the young duo has launched ten products, which cannot be easily categorized. Their objects have a certain edge and boldness – like the “Acme” chair, the “Bias” side table and the “Ossa” shelf system. All three products will soon be produced by manufacturers. The only thing the two are still working on is striking a better balance between the radical nature of their designs and the commercial quality of the product. ## Whowhatwherewhenhow? 01 Where would you like to live? ***David Geckeler/Frank Michels:* In Berlin, here we have our home, our work place.** 02 Your favorite character in the history of design? ***David Geckeler/Frank Michels:* Wilhelm Wagenfeld. Even he is not so focused like Dieter Rams for example, he is very interesting and released a strong and eclectic oeuvre that is amazingly longlasting.** 03 Which qualities do you admire in a designer? ***Frank Michels:* Being a virtous generalist that do never loose a certain level.** *David Geckeler:* The courage to do the things. 04 What do you enjoy doing most? ***David Geckeler:* Construct.** *Frank Michels:* Deconstruct. *David Geckeler/Frank Michels:* Reconstruct. 05 Your main personality trait? **--** 06 Your biggest mistake? **--** 07 Your idea of happiness? ***David Geckeler/Frank Michels:* We are working on.** 08 What do you find really annoying? ***Frank Michels:* Common misunderstandings about designing, for example when people say that designers only work with the material – and not against it. Since the emergence of industrial processing methods, starting with the bentwood method to the most cutting-edge CAD/CAM technologies, you can say that people have disregarded material’s original properties and formed material according to their will. But if this goes smoothly a false impression is created of the designer having worked with the material. Normally, exploring boundaries and the skilled subduing of the material is a clash of opponents.** *David Geckeler:* Sadly, it is only when your work has sufficiently established itself that you can accept the conflict between the conformity expected by the market and consumers and the creative radicalness that you yourself want. However, I do see it as a challenge that accompanies us every day. I rely on visionary manufacturers, who repeatedly have the courage to leave the comfort zone of conformity. 09 Your favorite material? **--** 10 Your favorite flower? **--** 11 What kind of music do you listen to when you work? ***David Geckeler:* In the last time I often listen to the sounds by our friends from LackRec.com.** *Frank Michels:* Yung Lean Playlist on Youtube. 12 Which design achievement do you most detest? **--** 13 Which talent would you like to have? **--** 14 Can you describe your present state of mind? ***Frank Michels:* Introspective, productive.** *David Geckeler:* For the moment we have more output than input – a lucky situation. 15 Your motto? ***David Geckeler/Frank Michels:* Come as you are.** ![](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/articles/2015/geckeler-michels/l2_v357410_958_772_590-3.jpg) How slant can a table-leg be? And how thick? “Bias” sidetable made of plywood with ash veneer. Photo © Geckeler Michels ![](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/articles/2015/geckeler-michels/l2_v357410_958_480_720-4.jpg) Circle, square… "Acme"! These two basic geometrical forms were the base for the contract-chair made of polypropylene and steel. Photo © Geckeler Michels ![](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/articles/2015/geckeler-michels/l2_v357410_958_420_320-5.jpg) „Nerd“ by David Geckeler meanwhile is a successfully chair at Muuto. Photo © Geckeler Michels ![](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/articles/2015/geckeler-michels/l2_v357410_958_420_630-6.jpg) A light mark of exclamation: „Pialla“ table lamp designed with OLED. Photo © Geckeler Michels ## Bio First of all they were fellow students, then friends, then they both moved into a shared flat – finally in 2013 they set up Studio Geckeler Michels in Berlin: David Geckeler and Frank Michels were both born in 1984. While Frank Michels comes from Luxembourg, David Geckeler is from the southernmost corner of Germany, and grew up in Constance. The two men met at Potsdam Technical University, studied under Hermann Weizenegger amongst others. However, they did not stop at studying product design: While Frank Michels attended other courses at the University of Lisbon, David Geckeler went to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, and subsequently attended Berlin University of the Arts. Michel’s was able to gain practical experience with designers such as Marco Sousa Santos in Lisbon and luminaire manufacturer Rich Brilliant Willing in New York, Geckeler at Mark Braun in Berlin. [www.geckelermichels.com](http://www.geckelermichels.com/)