ANNA KARLIN

MEET THE NEW YORK DESIGNER WHO WORKS ACROSS A RANGE OF DISCIPLINES FROM FURNITURE & OBJECTS, INTERIORS & ART DIRECTION, AND FINE JEWELLERY.

This week we are in conversation with Anna Karlin, a self-taught English designer who has been residing in Manhattan for the past decade. After quitting her job at a design agency in London and making an audacious move to New York, Karlin established her eponymous brand in 2013. Ever since, the designer has been creating her own world by working across a diverse portfolio of projects. Her collections are organic, sculptural and are like works of art that are molded and fashioned with an experimental mix of materials from marble, brass, steel, wood, PVC, glass to name just a few, and not forget those stunning gems of course! Karlin proves that just about anything can be made possible with the right amount of creative vision, courage and perseverance.

We hope that you enjoy this interview as much as we do!

Anna Karlin in her New York studio.Photo | Chris White — Anna Karlin in her New York studio.
Photo | Chris White

Anna, you studied visual communication at Central Saint Martins and at Glasgow School of Art. Can you briefly tell us how you started your design career in London after graduating, and how you managed to build your own business in New York?

AK | Just after graduating I started at a ‘Visual Communications Agency’, this meant I worked across all disciplines from the very beginning. It was a small company with great clients so I really got to stretch my wings. I was given far too much responsibility but it meant I was really hands on with so many projects it was amazing for me. I designed everything from interiors to fashion show sets to branding and digital - I was into it all. When I moved to New York I had built up a significant portfolio of work but I’d never done anything with it - I’d always just kept working and on to the next. Finally it was time to do something with all that work.

I knew when I moved here I didn’t want to work for anyone else, so when I landed I very unashamedly sent my portfolio to any one I could think of and to my amazement people would answer me - everything grew from there via word of mouth.

Your business designs and works across three main industries; furniture and fine objects, fine jewellery, as well as interiors and art direction. For any designer, one industry would be a challenging juggling act, and yet you work across all three! Can you please tell us how your business evolved, which has led you to boldly designing across all three disciplines?

AK | To me I don’t see any difference between them, yes they all need different internal business structures but from a design point of view it doesn’t matter to me if its a table leg or a diamond ring. As long as the design in the end tells the story you want it to tell then you have done a good job. I also love how they all influence each other. Even if a design doesn’t come to fruition (and there are plenty of those!) you learn so much from each project you undertake so the interdisciplinary nature of my work really suits the way my mind works.

Curved Chaise

Photo | Chris White

Slump Chair

Photo | Chris White

What’s your personal philosophy that guides your creative profession?

AK | Work hard and be nice to people.

Can you tell us a little about your team?

AK | I LOVE my team. It’s comprised of interior designers, engineers, furniture sales, account manager, and a freelance graphic designer. There has been flexibility of roles over the years and I try and tailor the role to the person and not the other way round. I want everyone to feel happy in their job that is so important to me and as cheesy as it sounds I want to be sure all of us are always learning and growing. Business is simply a framework in order to allow us all to work in a creative way it is never ever the driving factor.

What are your studio must haves?

AK | Music, clay, all my shapes and prototypes and bits and bobs that seem to grow around me and inspire new things.

Dimple LampPhoto | Chris White — Dimple Lamp
Photo | Chris White

Form LightingPhoto | Chris White — Form Lighting
Photo | Chris White

Ceramic LightingPhoto | Chris White — Ceramic Lighting
Photo | Chris White

Puddle Tables

Photo | Chris White

How has moving to and working in New York driven your professional career?

AK | I think initially I liked being ’new’. I loved being foreign in a new city it gave me a kind of freedom. I think Australian and British people share a culture of not wanting to be seen to be ambitious - moving to NY gave me a bit of a break from that.

What is the best advice that you have ever been given?

AK | “This will never work” It just makes me double down.

How would you describe yourself and your style in five words?

AK | Materiality, Ballance, Tension, Human, Tactile.

The Belnord ProjectPhoto | Adrian Gaut — The Belnord Project
Photo | Adrian Gaut

Could you tell us if there are any individuals or designers that you would like to collaborate with and why?

AK | Bjork. I’d love to work with her on a physical manifestation of her audio.

Can you share with us any exciting upcoming projects?

AK | I’m working on a new collection that I am so excited about and also a public works commission which is a major milestone for me.

Agatha Ring

Photos | Tim Richardson

What are you reading at the moment?

AK | I had a baby last year so mainly The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Which holiday destination are you dreaming of?

AK | I’ve been in New York since lockdown in March…. at this rate I’d even dream of a trip to a new zip code!

I really want to go to Korea and do a huge trip. Likewise in Japan - I’ve only ever been to Tokyo. I also want to go and learn to surf with my friends who live in Costa Rica - this will be a stretch I’m scared of deep water - MUCH to my Australian boyfriends horror.

Can you share with us your favourite places in NYC to:

Shop?

AK | The Guild on Howard Street

View art/design?

AK | The Met

Explore/Visit?

AK | Walk right from the bottom of Manhattan to as far up as your legs will carry you and 100% through Washington Sq Park. New York street life is a trip.

Dine?

AK | Altro Paradiso

Best kept secret?

AK | There is a local strip lit Chinese restaurant / takeaway across the road from my apartment that if you go with someone from the restaurant industry they can scan the tables and tell you that some of the world best sommeliers are there from all the Michelin Star restaurants in New York. The owners keep special glasses for them and it’s BYOB. For some reason I just love this fact. (The type of Chinese food pairs well with wine apparently - I don’t know!)

Isla RingPhoto | Tim Richardson — Isla Ring
Photo | Tim Richardson

Eternity Band Photo | Tim Richardson — Eternity Band
Photo | Tim Richardson

ANNA KARLIN

MEET THE NEW YORK DESIGNER WHO WORKS ACROSS A RANGE OF DISCIPLINES FROM FURNITURE & OBJECTS, INTERIORS & ART DIRECTION, AND FINE JEWELLERY.

ESSENZIA

PIERRE GONALONS