Mijo Studio consists of the design duo Miranda Tengs Brun and Josefine Gilbert. Both come from creative families, and together they have a playful approach to the creative process. With the "Waves" pillow series, the aim was to capture a fleeting moment.
What kind of work do you make?
Mijo Studio is a Norwegian-Danish design duo that specializes in prints, patterns and textiles. We experiment with colors and textures using analog printing techniques. Our work is characterized by bold patterns and hand-painted brush strokes fused with a rougher, graphic expression.
What is your earliest memory related to art, or to creating something?
We have both always been very creative and have drawn and painted throughout our childhood.
What did you want to be as a child?
Miranda: Artist
Josefine: Ice skater
Did you grow up in a creative environment?
M: Yes, both my parents are very creative and my mother is a great inspiration.
J: Yes, through many generations my family has worked in creative fields such as visual arts, architecture, hat making and music. All these directions have shaped my upbringing and my curiosity about creating myself.
When in life did you first learn about your field of work? What brought you there?
M: Textile printing is something I discovered during my education in Copenhagen at Denmark's School of Design.
J: I was introduced to textile printing and patterns when I was growing up and specialized in printing at Danmarks Designskole.
What is the best advice you have received?
Never be afraid to share your ideas and inspiration. Share and you get double! Because then you make room for new ideas. We received the advice from the artist Heri Dono during an artist residency in Indonesia in 2016, and we have lived by this ever since.
What does success mean to you?
M: that I can make a living from my creativity.
What is your relationship with your material?
Textile is a very living material. Weaving, texture and surface have so much to say in relation to textile printing. We are often inspired by the material itself and by seeing textiles in motion.
Tell us a little about your workplace!
We have a workshop in Copenhagen in a designer collective. And is now in the process of expanding to Stavanger. It is a very exciting period for Mijo Studio.
Which object is your favorite among all that you have made?
It is difficult to choose a favorite when you are constantly developing and creating new things. Right now it's probably our Waves series.
What is the most challenging thing about being your own boss?
Taking time to take time off!
Do you have any tricks or techniques that never fail if you need inspiration or to get out of routines?
We work very analogically on the printing table and often start with different collaborative methods where we work with monoprinting and intuitive painting without a printing frame. This always gives us many new ideas.
What is your relationship with Norway Designs?
We have long admired Norway Designs and their selection of handicrafts and design objects and are therefore proud and happy to be able to contribute to the exhibition NÅ Vol. 5 IDENTITY.
What expectations do you have for Norway Designs NÅ Vol. 5?
We expect to see exciting products that show a mixed spectrum of what is happening on the Norwegian design/handicraft scene right now.
Tell us a little about the items you are exhibiting in this year's exhibition.
The cushion series Waves has been developed on the basis of a series of intuitive experiments inspired by movement, where the aim was to capture a fleeting moment. The pattern comes from hand-printed textiles printed with a technique named after the iris of the eye (Iristrykk). This technique is used to mix two or more colors together in the print frame to create a soft transition from light to dark in the pattern surface. By combining cold and clear blue tones together with yellow and gray shades, we achieve a contrasting pillow series where each individual pillow has its own value and identity, while at the same time they play well together and highlight each other. The series invites a playful interaction where you can adjust the intensity of the cushions yourself. The vivid pattern and play of colors in the surface provide a dynamic counterpoint to the tight lines of the cushion shape, while at the same time reinforcing the cushion's soft character through its light and flowing expression.
Which identity do material and technique help to express?
Waves has a playful and energetic character with its flowing pattern and bright colours.
Is there one or more identities that are reflected through your work?
In addition to energy and play, the different cushions also express a desire to stand out from the crowd, while at the same time wanting to belong.
You can read more about the project Norway Designs NOW here .
