Both creative and technically minded, Christian Keller never wanted to choose between his passion for design and his dedication to technology. Instead, he mastered both fields and utilizes them as a multi-award-winning professional inventor. Christian has more than 20 years of experience during which he has contributed to numerous development projects.
His latest triumph came in the form of a prestigious Good Design Award from The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies for the Urban Maglev Train. The TSB project was the first for his firm Erfindergeist in which they were able to assume overall responsibility for the whole vehicle (exterior and interior design); thus, allowing them to showcase their full capability both as an engineering studio and design firm.
True innovation requires vision and a firm grasp on technology. To understand technology’s potential is to be able to push its boundaries and break new ground —proclaims erfindergeist— inspired by its founder’s vision for generating ideas and broadening design horizons, unlimited by the confines of either specialty, be it designer or engineer.
GDN: What is it that drew you towards design? What does it mean to share an engineering and technology-oriented mind and a passion for design?
Christian Keller: Since my childhood I have been fascinated by inventions. I never wanted to choose between my passion for design and my dedication to technology. As a teenager, though, I had to realize that you can’t learn the profession of inventor. Instead, I graduated as a mechanical engineer and studied design management and product design.
GDN: Can you give us more details on your career so far? Which were the most important places, firms and jobs for you?
Christian: My professional career thus far has been one of interdisciplinarity. I started out as a technical draftsman and had the great opportunity to be part of the engineering team of Transpraid for Shanghai and Munich. Parallel to this, I attended many design courses and completed the pilot school of the Swiss Air Force. Then I earned my diploma as a mechanical engineer before I got a degree in design at the University of Lucerne. After a few years in a smaller engineering company, I decided to create my own company, “erfindergeist”. Our most ambitious project in erfindergeist, namely the magnetic levitation train TSB, feels like a circle that started long ago in my career is now closing.
GDN: What is an ‘Innovator’s Spirit’ (Erfindergeist) and why did you name your firm accordingly? How does being both an engineering studio and design firm translate into business practice?
Christian: The term “erfindergeist” has a double meaning in German and refers to the creative activity on one hand and the mindset of inventors on the other. My team consists of people who all have a technical as well as a design background. We have also created a network of experts from other areas and can therefore think and work across specialist boundaries.
GDN: What are your sources of inspiration and the most influential figures and references for you?
Christian: People who master and combine several disciplines are those who inspire me. This includes people like the Swiss explorer Bertrand Piccard or Steve Jobs. In addition, I believe there are many talented Swiss designers such as Yves Béhar, Martin Lotti or Christian Harbeke.
GDN: Is design (supposed to be) fun? And if so, how does that apply to your work?
Christian: Our design process is characterized by great passion, commitment, and the exchange between specialist disciplines. That way, the result should always be useful and convey a good feeling, but of course it should also be fun creating it!
The close connection between engineering, industrial design and other disciplines often results in new approaches and solutions. Different disciplines should inspire each other much more often
GDN: What is your approach to design challenges?
Christian: The close connection between engineering, industrial design and other disciplines often results in new approaches and solutions. In general, I believe that different disciplines should inspire each other much more often.
GDN: After many years of experience and many projects and ideas becoming real designs, has anything changed in the way you approach design?
Christian: We learn a lot on each and every project. One of the most important findings is that good design requires a team of experts, but also a thorough leader who takes responsibility and is able to inspire his team.
Focusing on what is important to the individual will continue to be relevant for years to come and I hope that this will also lead to a more conscious use of resources globally
GDN: What is the future of design, not just for erfindergeist GmbH, but in general?
Christian: I believe that the trend of focusing on what is important to the individual will continue to be relevant for years to come and I hope that this will also lead to a more conscious use of resources globally. Exactly therein lies great potential for inventions and good design that creates real, tangible benefits not only for us humans but also for the environment.
GDN: As an established professional, what do you consider the height of your career up to this point and why?
Christian: It is a great honor to be trusted by the Bögl family (owners of Max Bögl companies) and the development team to design and build a completely new maglev train. The technical challenges, especially with regard to lightweight construction, were extremely demanding and sometimes seemed impossible to solve. Nevertheless, thanks to the interdisciplinary cooperation during the maglev project, we were ultimately able to solve all the problems. My team and I are very pleased about the recognition we received from experts in the field of passenger transport and now also from experts in design.
GDN: Talking about the Urban Maglev Train–TSB project, you recently won a 2021 Good Design® Award from The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and Metropolitan Arts Press Ltd. for it. Would you like to share some further details on this project?
Christian: The TSB is a fully automatic transportation system intended for local public transport. The appearance should stand out from other transportation systems such as metros, trams, or buses. Instead of a front cabin, a light spoiler structure frames the emergency exits at the front and rear. The design is inspired by the clarity of modern concrete architecture. The spoilers are adjustable for rear and front operation to reduce air resistance.
The interior layout is tailored towards commuters, families and tourists and is designed to offer a high level of everyday utility on short journeys. Compact, invisibly integrated technical elements such as lighting and air conditioning allow for the largest interior space in this vehicle class. Interior fittings seem to levitate, further increasing the impression of spaciousness and referencing back to the passengers’ transport experience in the silent maglev train.
The design for TSB’s Maglev Train is inspired by the clarity of modern concrete architecture
GDN: Can you elaborate further on the challenges of the MagLev Train project? What exactly were the obstacles you faced? And how did you overcome them?
Christian: The goals for lightweight construction and the high demands on design quality were a major challenge from the start. Against the background of a very ambitious timeline, many considered the project near impossible. We had to find new suppliers for all the components, which made the task even more difficult. Nevertheless, we worked very closely with them and the team at Max Bögl.
One of our most important tasks as designers and engineers was to inspire everyone involved in the project again and again. We are very happy and proud that our team has succeeded in doing this with expertise and enthusiasm, exhibiting valuable communication skills.
“Good Design” is based on the needs of all users and their environment. Good industrial design creates the link between utility and a good feeling when using it. If the designer manages to convey his conviction and joy, he has done his job well
GDN: What does this recognition of your work mean to you as a designer? What are the qualities of “Good Design”?
Christian: Τhe Urban Maglev Train is our first major project at erfindergeist and was strongly affected by almost unsolvable technical requirements. So, we are particularly pleased about this award. “Good Design” is based on the needs of all users and their environment. Good industrial design creates the link between utility and a good feeling when using it. If the designer manages to convey his conviction and joy, he has done his job well.
GDN: Based on your experience and the feedback you get, what do users seek in a new design? What do they appreciate the most?
Christian: I understand design as a form of communication, which is why many users are concerned with finding access to a product and understanding its message.
Through a stronger connection between quality of life and sustainability, great solutions can emerge. I’m looking forward to this future for me and my small children
GDN: How does sustainable design and green projects, especially in urban mobility, actually affect everyday life?
Christian: I think that we have to understand mobility in a broader context. Many important and influencing variables are invisible, yet must be considered much more closely. In this way, sustainable design and green projects may have a major impact on a better life for everybody. I think that through a stronger connection between quality of life and sustainability, great solutions can emerge. I’m looking forward to this future for me and my small children.
