It's a glass world: Interview with Kathrin Zelger from Design Studio Ursula Futura

Daring, optimistic, futuristic - the contemporary design objects by Ursula Futura are anything but ordinary. With gaudy nuances, sophisticated conceptions and playful designs, the objects show courage for colour and bring optimism into the living space.  

PHENOMENA - Nature of Wonder.

With their first collection PHENOMENA, the Viennese design studio allows insights into their ongoing research into the nature of wonder. The collection is dedicated to glass as a material and was inspired by natural phenomena that create magical but fleeting moments. Ursula Futura translates these experiences by transforming everyday objects into colourful, sculptural objects that turn living spaces into small galleries.

Ursula Futura is an alter ego that is also inspired by the witch from the Disney film "Arielle". Who should Ursula Futura inspire and what should your customers take away from the brand?


Kathrin Zelger: „Ursula Futura is an Alter EGO. The person who dares to do what she feels like doing. Who doesn't care much about the opinion of others. Who brings out all her facets. Who sees the positive in situations and discovers new ways. Ursula's style is cheerful and playful. Optimistic. She always seems to float a little above thing.”

Authors often have writer's block - so do artists. How do you deal with a creative block, and do you have any tips for other artists?


Kathrin Zelger: „For me it helps to take a break. Just do something completely different - go out into nature, to a museum, meet friends. Occupy yourself with something else. You still have the project in the back of your mind and when you see something that fits, your brain makes the necessary connection. I always think of Arthur Köstler - he called such processes "eureka" processes.”

What is Ursula Futura's vision?

Kathrin Zelger: „Ursula Futura wants to convey feelings through objects. By this I mean that my designs should above all stimulate or evoke emotions - make you smile or arouse curiosity. I want people to feel happy. Life should be full of colour. Ursula Futura should be a platform for design and experimentation with light and glass.”

Who are the creative minds behind the design pieces and what drives you personally?

Kathrin Zelger: „All pieces are designed by me personally and are realized in cooperation with experienced glassblowers in Europe. I am driven by my thirst for knowledge and my willingness to experiment. I love to learn.”

Is there one moment of Ursula Futura's success that has particularly stuck in your mind?

Kathrin Zelger: „There are two moments that have stayed in my memory in particular. One was when I held the first prototypes in my hands. And then when the first objects were sold. It was a very special feeling that my objects are now in someone else's home.”

Please tell us about the path from the first idea to the final product!

Kathrin Zelger: „Most of the time it starts with me observing something that excites me. Then I research the subject and try to extract the essence of what I want to show. Then I experiment and make 3D models. I'm not the sketcher type. But sometimes it just comes over me - for example during a car ride or while running. In any case, the process is not straightforward. Then I go to the glassblowers with my idea and we test to what extent my idea can be realized and fiddle with it until we find a way. This can involve several iterations and prototype phases until the final product is ready.”

What does the future of Ursula Futura look like?

Kathrin Zelger: „Exciting, in any case.”