Sebastian Herkner

“It is absolutely vital that we revive all these traditional forms of craftsmanship before they are lost forever, as they are an integral part of our cultural heritage.”

At 37 years old, German designer Sebastian Herkner has embarked on numerous collaborations with international designers, such as Moroso, Dedon, Thonet, and Lintellio. Over the past decade, he has received about 30 awards for the recognition of his innovative yet traditional work. Maison&Objet Paris named him Designer of the Year in 2019. Since setting up his own studio in the suburb of Offenbach am Main, Frankfurt, in 2006, Sebastian Herkner has been tirelessly dedicated to creating designs that blend tradition with creativity, new technologies with skill. Unconditional love for traditional craftsmanship guided him in his first landmark project, the “Bell” table, whose steel and brass plate nestles on a hand-blown glass base produced in a centuries-old Bavarian glass factory. This type of skill is regularly interwoven with the latest technology in his designs, as seen in the “118” chair (Thonet, 2018), which uses a combination of CNC milling and steam bending to shape the wood.

“It is absolutely vital that we revive all these traditional forms of craftsmanship before they are lost forever, as they are an integral part of our cultural heritage.” Herkner’s approach to design is ethical and committed, infusing the creative process with the same level of importance as the final product itself.