Research, materials and experimentation are the key elements that characterise Matthias Hickl’s design practice. A designer, artist and creative professional born in Munich in 1962, he has developed a multidisciplinary approach throughout his career, in which industrial design, interior architecture, painting and sculpture are in constant dialogue. His work focuses in particular on materials and their expressive potential, striking a balance between design precision, craftsmanship and innovation.

Following an initial training programme in the field of Metal Design, during which he achieved the second-best result nationally, he studied industrial design, painting and sculpture at the University of Fine Arts in Braunschweig between 1986 and 1991. In 1990, he graduated with a degree in industrial design from the University of Fine Arts in Hamburg, launching his professional career at the same time.

In 1990, he founded STYX, a studio specialising in furniture and design, whilst continuing his artistic work in parallel. His training and constant experimentation with materials led him to complete a Master’s degree in Metal Design in 2002. A year later, in 2003, he joined Lissoni Associati as artistic and creative director, taking charge of international interior and product design projects.

At the same time, he collaborates with Nicoletta Canesi’s studio, NMM Inc., working between Miami and the United States. Over the years, he has been involved in numerous international design and interior architecture projects, collaborating with architects and interior designers in cities such as Venice, Milan, Berlin, Beverly Hills, New York, Atlanta and Tokyo.

His design language stems from the combination of a deep understanding of materials and a vision strongly focused on experimentation. Metals, glass and a variety of other materials become tools through which to explore new forms, surfaces and structural solutions, in a process that combines aesthetic research, technical expertise and a culture of craftsmanship.

Today, his collaboration with the Lissoni and Canesi studios continues and runs alongside the work of his Berlin studio, where Hickl works alongside a team of highly skilled craftspeople and specialists. His well-established network of suppliers, manufacturers and professionals is a key element of his approach, enabling him to continually develop and experiment with new techniques and combinations of materials.

Throughout his career, he has designed for leading international design firms, including Living Divani, Vistosi, Elie Tahari and Boffi, bringing to each project a vision in which design, materials and research come together to create contemporary and distinctive solutions.