THE ORIGINS OF IRRATIONAL FLAMES

Reading time: 5 min

A NEW HORIZON

Irrational Flames is the story of a young architect disillusioned with his profession, who decided to retrain to put his creative force to use on another scale: that of the object.

In this interview, Romain Gratiot discusses the reasons that led him to abandon his career as an architect to create Irrational Flames, the values ​​conveyed by his project, and the meaning behind his creations .

WHAT IS YOUR CAREER PATH?

" I obtained a baccalaureate in applied arts from the Auguste Renoir high school, before continuing with a two-year technical degree in spatial design. I then completed a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, and my state architect's diploma at the National School of Architecture of Versailles in 2021. After two years working in an agency, I chose to launch my own product design business as a freelancer . This transition then led me to work for Louis Vuitton.

WHY DID YOU CHANGE CAREERS TO PRODUCT DESIGN ?

" It all started with professional disillusionment. I have a deep love for architecture, and that's what led me to sincerely believe in the architect's mission: to improve the quality of life for their fellow citizens. But after two years working in an agency, I realized that the reality of the profession had nothing to do with the idealized image surrounding it. In France, the profession is poorly regarded, increasingly precarious, and leaves very little room for creative minds. Paradoxically, producing beauty, envisioning the future, and championing important causes are precisely what we are trained to do throughout our studies. So, rather than resign myself to this situation, I chose to reinvent myself in a path where I would feel freer to create and where I could find meaning in my work. »

WHY CHOOSE 3D PRINTING AS THE MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUE?

" I became interested in 3D printing back in 2015, when the technology was starting to become more accessible. I was already using it out of passion during my studies, probably because of my geeky side. In fact, I bought my first printer thanks to the food delivery bike jobs I did alongside my studies. It's largely thanks to this printer that the idea of ​​a career change quickly went from a project to a reality: 3D printing allowed me to design and produce things myself. Being able to present my creations directly to the public, without intermediaries, was incredibly simple. Over time, I discovered the full potential of this technology and began to take a more critical look at what was being done in the field of 3D-printed decorative objects, which I found very repetitive. »

WHY DID YOU SPECIALIZE IN LIGHTING ?

" If someone had asked me that question when I started out, I would have been completely unable to answer. But one day, a friend told me, “Even Dante needed a light to see through Hell.” I think that sums it all up. My fascination with lighting was born at a time in my life when I, too, needed light to find my way back after a professional setback. »

WHAT ARE THE VALUES OF IRRATIONAL FLAMES?

“ With Irrational Flames, I feel I’m on a mission. After the world of work nearly extinguished the creative spark within me, I wanted to create objects capable of rekindling the passion that lies dormant in the heart of every artist. By translating their worlds, I seek to amplify their voices, but also to defend the value of art against the “fast decoration” objects that we tire of too quickly. ”

WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT IRRATIONAL FLAMES LAMPS?

" These aren't objects that simply decorate a space, but objects that tell a story. In an era where the environmental argument is constantly invoked, I believe the best way to make an object sustainable is to make people want to keep it, to allow them to develop an emotional attachment to it. For that to happen, it needs to offer more than just pretty shapes. Successful design also involves a message, an intention, something that gives it meaning and substance. The problem is that today, many objects, like many architectural designs, have become very formal and no longer have much to say. »

- Romain Gratiot, for Irrational Flames

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