On the outskirts of Berlin – close enough to be inspired by the city, but removed enough to escape its chaos – is the light and spacious studio of Sebastian Scherer. The designer has been hard at work on the #InspiredByVelar challenge for the last few months, with the final exhibition in Paris now fast approaching.

From meeting the car for the first time in Milan, to seeking inspiration and resolving the final idea, Scherer admits that the journey has been challenging at times. He shares some of his key moments from the creative process so far, while offering just a hint of what his final piece might look like.

What was your first impression of the New Range Rover Velar?

Experiencing the New Velar in person was impressive. Every aspect of the car’s design is well done, but the interior for me was the most special. The surfaces blend into each other seamlessly, and you could also see that the designers had reduced the number of buttons and other elements that might detract from the design. Still, the New Velar didn’t feel too designed, you know? So often, especially with cars, things can be overdesigned.

Is there any aspect of the New Velar’s design philosophy that you feel resonates with yours?

The interaction between traditional, more natural materials and innovative technologies is something I find very interesting. My Iris Lamp, for example, is just a simple glass sphere. Nothing extraordinary. Its technical coating, however, is what makes it special and luxurious.

I noticed this same approach with the New Velar’s special textile created by Kvadrat. Natural wool is blended with other materials and given a special coating for an innovative and durable fabric that suits its purpose perfectly.

The use of glass features often in your work. Why do you find yourself returning to this material again and again?

On one hand, it’s a traditional material that has been around and mostly unchanged for hundreds of years. On the other hand, there are now modern techniques that give it so many new possibilities. It’s both simple and versatile, which I like. It can also give an object a very premium feel, depending on how it’s used. The tactile and natural qualities of glass make for a more luxurious effect than plastic, in my opinion.

Where do you usually find your inspiration as a designer?

I’m always finding inspiration in different places. I think it’s important to try and have as much of an open mind as possible. I find inspiration in everyday life or in things I see on the street. It could also be a pattern that I see in a magazine, or even a bridge or some other kind of architecture. Sometimes a great idea will come to you instantly, other times it develops over several months.

Without revealing too much, could you tell us a bit about what you’re creating and how it’s inspired by the New Velar?

In the interior of the New Velar, there are details that have been designed in such a way that they melt into each other and almost disappear. A bit like camouflage. You don’t feel overloaded with different materials or technical applications. So my design is all about taking this concept of ‘blending’ or seamless integration and translating it.

I’ll be exploring different materials that not only stand well on their own, but also combine with other materials in a seamless and elegant way. I’ve chosen marble, glass and copper: they’re already part of the New Velar’s visual identity, while also being very striking natural materials on their own.

How has the creative process been so far?

The process has felt quite long at times. It’s really important to me that the final piece looks strong and geometric, but also organic. It took almost two months of research and searching for inspiration to finally resolve my idea.

Applying the New Velar’s design philosophy has also been challenging. Like the car, I want my final piece to be as reduced as possible, while creating the maximum effect that best conveys my idea.

Do you think there’s a typically ‘German’ way of designing? If so, has it been a factor in the way you’ve approached this brief?

I think Germans are known for quality and for always striving towards precision and perfecting the details. But sometimes there’s an idea missing, which is where my approach is different. The details are nothing without the inspiration.

CTA COPY:

Join the Velar Circle now to follow the rest of the #InspiredByVelar journey with Sebastian Scherer. You’ll also be first in line to receive all the latest New Range Rover Velar news, as well as access to exclusive events and money-can’t-buy experiences.

[REGISTER NOW]