Kia Utzon-Frank
Website: http://kufstudios.com
Instagram: @kufstudios
Twitter: @kufstudios
Kia Utzon-Frank founded KUFstudios as a multi disciplinary design brand to contain her versatile practise. It is built to expand according to where Kia’s multifarious experiments take her. KUFstudios is comprised of 6 KUF categories: KUFjewellery, KUFtwist, KUFcakes, KUFstring, KUFstuff and KUFidea. Evertyime she gets a new idea a new category can be added to the list. Each category has roots in KUFidea, which is Kia’s idea developing method – making a model a day and experimenting with different materials and methods. This way she invented the patent pending Louver Twisting Comb (KUFtwist), created big foldable string structures (KUFstring), came up with a concept for bespoke luxury cakes for events (KUFcakes), designed an adjustable plant hanger and other interior design objects (KUFstuff) and made gradient and modular jewellery (KUFjewellery) – the two last categories are being sold through Kia’s webshop. Through KUFidea Kia is consulting and making workshops on idea development.
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Having the freedom to do what I love with people I love and admire.
What is your greatest extravagance? I'm a self-employed designer living in London with a new company. I can't afford extravagance.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Power that comes with wealth. Don't know if it would categorise as an actual virtue, but it shouldn't be that important or intimidating as it is
Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Amazing.
Which talent would you most like to have? Being able to remember peoples' faces.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I'd like to have a better memory and not a memory of a goldfish.
What do you consider your greatest achievement? I got a patent for my KUFtwist system. But achievements are constantly replaced, so it's really hard to say. I'm also really proud that I taught my little niece (she's 6 now, but we have been baking since she was 2) to bake cakes and enjoy cleaning up afterwards.
What is your most treasured possession? A ceramic face made by John Booth, whose stuff always makes me stupidly happy. My friend bought it for me as a thank you gift for helping him through a rough patch. It looks like another dear friend of mine. So it reminds me of free amazing friends.
What do you most value in your friends? That they don't expect me to behave in a certain way.
Who are your heroes in real life? Anybody selflessly doing good for others. I wish I was better at that.
What is it that you most dislike? Helplessness.
What is your greatest regret? I try not to have regrets. Sort it or get over it. Don't "should" yourself.