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"We perceive design not only as practical and useful, but we believe in its ability and power to evoke emotions, to be expressive like a work of art, precise like a well-functioning machine," states the website of the Furniture and Interior Design Studio of the Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art at the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen (LSF UWB). The studio's students work on a variety of projects—from designs for individual pieces of furniture and lighting to smaller utility items—always with regard to the context of the interior and the needs of users. They experiment with materials, seek new functions, and reflect on the relationship between people and objects. Approximately 80% of graduates find employment in the field within a year of completing their studies.

This year, the studio will present itself at the Light conference in Prague, where experts from the fields of design, architecture, and technology will meet on November 12. Twelve students will exhibit their interior lighting fixtures and meet with professionals from the industry. "It's a great opportunity to present our work and establish contacts with architects and designers," said studio head Štěpán Rous, with whom we conducted an interview.

What place do you think light occupies in interior design – is it primarily a functional tool or rather a means of expression?

I think it's both. In our studio, we encourage students to play with both the purely visual and ergonomic aspects of lighting fixtures. We work with the technical and expressive aspects of lighting fixtures, but sometimes we prioritize aesthetics over functionality because light is often associated with emotion and atmosphere, and we want to emphasize that.

How do you work with sustainability in your studio?

It's a trend, but I've been promoting sustainability since the beginning of my career, because sustainability, or economy, is logically related to the economic side of production, whether it's the use of leftover materials or other aspects. So for me personally and for our students, it's not entirely new. In addition, a designer's competencies also include a certain empathy towards clients and the environment in which they live.

Do students get involved in real projects during their studies in the studio?

Yes, of course. A typical task is furnishing private or corporate spaces. Students also collaborate with furniture companies, design interiors for their friends or customers, work on sauna projects, furnish smaller interiors, and so on.

What do you consider to be your students' greatest achievements in recent years?

I consider it a success when a graduate of the studio finds a job and is active in their field, which we have been successful at so far. Let's say that about 80% of graduates find a job in their field within a year of graduating. They either work as designers in furniture companies or are self-employed.

What do you expect from the studio's participation in the Light conference?

It is, of course, a suitable platform for presenting our studio. I consider attendance at such events to be important, especially because students can meet their (and professionally older) colleagues and establish contacts. This is not an exhibition attended only by a group of design enthusiasts, but an event for architects and designers working in our field. This can have a real impact on future commissions and the professional careers of our students.

The heads of the Furniture and Interior Design Studio, Jana Potiron and Štěpán Rous, see design as a tool that influences everyday life, evokes emotions, and combines functionality with aesthetic expression. Students focus on creating new forms of furniture and interior products, experimenting with materials and technologies, and seeking a balance between concept, utility, and expression. The studio's management supports bold and conceptual approaches, but also emphasizes high-quality craftsmanship. Prospective students can visit the studio in person during the Open Day on November 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Current events can be followed on the studio's Instagram profile.