Kasia Zaręba, young Polish designer  winner of the “Create your Tile” contest launched by DesignTaleStudio , in concert with the Italian company Refin.

Magdalena Makowska: How did you begin your journey as a designer?

Kasia Zareba:Design has always been my passion.I began studying architecture in Poland, but then I decided to move to Eindhoven to continue my design studies in at the Design Academy Eindhoven.As soon as I finished my studies, I opened my studio here.At present I deal with design in the broadest sense, I don’t yet know in which direction I want to go and for this reason I’m experimenting with new ideas everyday – from jewelry to public spaces.

MM: What are the hallmarks of your style?

KZ:Above all, I draw inspiration from natural forms.I would describe my style as abstract, because I have not yet found a better definition seeing that what I’m designing now is very innovative and I prefer to avoid concrete terms.However there are certainly marks that bring to mind the regularity found in the natural world.

MM: How do you organize your work in the studio?Tell us about your typical day.

KZ:I start my day at 9:00 am with a good coffee that I always have in the studio and then the day unfolds on its own (laughs).No, I’m kidding of course, is not at all like that except for the coffee, which I do drink every day before getting started, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to work. First of all, every night I write in my agenda all the things I have to do the next day, so that my day is planned, and I try to do things according to this plan.I spend almost all of my working days at the computer talking to my clients via Skype.Recently I’ve been working on a lot of projects with Polish customers. Plus, I share the studio with two girls who studied design like I did at university.We don’t work together, but their presence influences me in a positive way, also because I like to work around others.Often we exchange constructive opinions about our projects and I find it very stimulating.

MM: What differences do you find between Italian and foreign companies?

KZ:So far I have only worked with one Italian company – Refin; so, unfortunately I can’t tell you much, but I hope this will change over the next few years.

Refin is certainly the first big company with which I’ve had the opportunity to work and I’m very happy about it.The company is renowned for a high degree of professionalism and a passion for its projects.In addition, the employees are open to different proposals for cooperation and know how to respond very quickly. This impression was confirmed when they showed my Fossil collection at Dutch Design Week; I had designed it only a month before the event.Their enthusiastic response to my work was a very positive surprise for me. I have however noticed a rather large difference between Polish and Dutch companies.In the Netherlands, you can work as a freelancer without problems, while in Poland it would be impossible for me at the moment.

MM: Will you be at the Salone del Mobile and/or at the Fuorisalone?

KZ:Yes, we’ll definitely be there, especially to see Refin’s showroom of and to establish new contacts because next year you’ll see an exhibition of my projects (I’m expecting you all to be there!).

MM: What are your goals for 2015?

KZ:My friend and I would like to create our own brand.Our aim is to expand Polish production, before the change over from the zloty to the euro, seeing that the current prices are not yet as high as they will be after the introduction of the euro.I want to focus on production for young designers both in Poland and in Europe.This is exactly what interests me and I know what young designers need because I am one of them.