In a recent episode of the Minded podcast, celebrated Dutch designer Floris Wubben gave listeners a rare insight into his creative process, his love for the unpredictability of clay, and how fatherhood has shifted his perspective as an artist. Known for his innovative approach to material exploration, Wubben’s conversation offered a deep dive into both the philosophical and technical aspects of his work—highlighting his constant quest for spontaneity and imperfection in design.
A New Kind of Weekend
The episode opens with Wubben reflecting on his newly acquired role as a father. “My weekends are no longer spent working day and night,” he laughs, explaining that his life has been reoriented around his two-month-old daughter. This life change, he says, has shifted his focus away from being consumed by his work to embracing the unpredictable beauty of raising a child.
Yet unpredictability is something Wubben is well accustomed to. He describes his creative process with clay as a similar journey—full of twists, turns, and surprises. “Clay is addictive,” Wubben admits, explaining that the material’s malleability and transformative properties continuously pull him back to the studio. "It starts as earth, then after firing, it becomes something entirely new. It’s like opening a magic box.”
The Play-Doh Inspiration
Wubben’s love for clay began a decade ago when a chance encounter with a photo of children playing with Play-Doh sparked a revelation. “I saw the kids using an ice-cream maker, extruding different shapes, and I thought—this is the way to create,” he recalls. This idea soon became the cornerstone of his studio’s work. Starting with small extruders, Wubben eventually scaled his practice to incorporate massive machinery that allows him to produce his signature raw, thick-walled ceramic forms.
However, this journey was not without challenges. Wubben recounts firing his early ceramic pieces in a kiln, only to discover a “river of broken ceramics.” The unpredictable nature of the kiln—one that either produces success or failure—became a central theme of his work, symbolizing both the risks and rewards of experimentation. “Making mistakes is super important to understanding the material,” Wubben stresses. “It’s the key to growth.”
Craft, Mentorship, and Process
Mentorship played a crucial role in Wubben’s artistic development, particularly from renowned designer Piet Hein Eek. “He helped me a lot, coaching me through the early stages of my career,” Wubben says. Despite the collaborative nature of the design community, he reflects on the challenges of gaining acceptance as an outsider, having studied in Belgium rather than the famed Design Academy Eindhoven. “It took time for people to take me seriously,” Wubben admits, noting the importance of persistence and self-belief in an industry where networking plays a key role.
Yet, it’s Wubben’s approach to process design that truly sets him apart. From wood to clay, his work often involves crafting unique methods and machinery to achieve results that push the boundaries of material limitations. His obsession with process reflects a broader trend in the design world, where function often meets art. When asked about this, Wubben candidly remarks, “I’ve made chairs that are horrible to sit on—but it’s an experience in itself.”
Looking Forward
As the conversation shifts to the global design scene, Wubben reveals his pivot from Milan Design Week to Design Miami, which he views as a more experimental and exciting market. “Milan has become too commercial for me,” he says, explaining his focus on more meaningful, process-driven creations rather than mass-market appeal.
Wubben's creative journey is far from over. As he juggles fatherhood, experimental design, and plans for future exhibitions, his unwavering passion for imperfection remains the driving force behind his work. The conversation ends with Wubben offering a glimpse into his world of extruders and kilns, but also a window into his heart—a man who finds beauty not just in his art, but in the unpredictability of life itself.
Listen to the full conversation with Floris Wubben on Minded Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.
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