One to Watch: Zofia Stepniak

Graduate of product and furniture design at Kingston School of Art, Zofia Stepniak proves a force to be reckoned with. Her organic fluid ‘Muco’ furniture designs caught the attention of the judges and won her a coveted ‘One to Watch’. Find out more about Zofia and her creative vision here.

My personal creative mission is if it does not make me smile, I’m not finished. Genuine smiles are contagious and that’s the disease I aim to spread. Imagine a smiling pandemic!

How do you feel about being spotted by the judges as a One to Watch – what does it mean to you?

I feel incredibly honoured to have been recognized as One to Watch. Although I wasn’t able to present my work in person on judging day, I already felt proud just to be shortlisted. Learning that I came second and was named One to Watch has been a significant boost to my self-confidence. I was especially touched to hear that the judges personally advocated for my work despite my absence. Marianne’s message that I wouldn’t go unnoticed was a true compliment. I often think of Massimo Vignelli’s words: “Styles come and go. Good design is a language, not a style.” For my Muco Series to be recognized independently of my presence feels like the highest form of praise. Design is, after all, a universal language, and now it feels like it has become my fifth language, alongside English, Spanish, Polish, and German.

How important is colour in your work and how do you choose and narrow down colours?

Colour is the oxygen and temperature to my work. It evokes memories and sentimentality. A deep Mediterranean blue reminding you of a blissful summer. Prior to deciding the colour palette the Muco series was lost. I tried so desperately to find a colour references online, as I was restrained to my house during lockdown. Nothing seemed to fit.

It was not until after my exam submission and when the lockdown restrictions were relaxed and my parents treated us with an escape to the Lake District that the colour palette made sense and brought the appropriate essence to Muco. For me, every detail of my design has to be considered and have an appropriate meaning.

What is your main source of inspiration?

People! I find endless inspiration in observing the simplicity of everyday life and the unique behavioural quirks that make each person different. Watching how people interact with the world and each other helps me craft designs that feel authentic and meaningful.

What makes you happiest/most fulfilled in your creative process?

What makes me happiest in my creative process is discovering connections. I approach design like solving a puzzle: I identify a problem and then search for clues to inform the outcome. The most fulfilling part is working through that inevitable sense of uncertainty and frustration that always arises. The Muco Series challenged me in this way, teaching me to embrace the unknown. I learned that instead of resisting the fog, I need to trust that it will eventually clear and bring clarity. The first few months were particularly challenging because the project required me to unlearn what I thought I knew. As Picasso once said, “It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.” That quote perfectly captures the joy of discovery that keeps me coming back to design.

What are you working on now?

At the moment, I’m taking some time to rest while working on a few personal projects. I’m excited about having the freedom to develop ideas that I’ve been contemplating for a while, and I’m using this time to plan and refine them.

Where do you want to be in 3 years’ time?

While I try to remain open to opportunities, I do have some aspirations. I hope to be settled in my identity as a creative professional, thriving in an environment that supports both my well-being and growth. Ideally, I see myself working within the fields of design and education. I’m also considering further study in areas such as pedagogy or cultural anthropology. Above all, I aim to continue developing meaningful projects that celebrate human connection and the beauty of life, inviting people to think and feel.

Creative high point?

My creative high point to date was a project I completed during my Erasmus exchange at KISD. We were challenged to create a nostalgic 80’s-inspired one-hit wonder, and the result was a track called “Jack Wants the 80’s Back,” which can be found on YouTube and Spotify. I’m a very emotive person, and music felt like the perfect medium to communicate emotion. It was incredibly rewarding to channel that energy into a playful yet meaningful project. So go ahead, turn up the volume, and have a boogie!

Creative low point?

I’d say my current moment feels like a creative low point. After completing my final projects, which were all digital, I’ve felt somewhat disconnected from my creativity. I miss the tactile process of working with my hands and physically interacting with my work. One important thing I learned from my degree is that I need an uninterrupted, quiet space, a place with walls where I can pin things up and brainstorm in three dimensions. Without that, I sometimes feel creatively blocked. However, I’m actively working on finding ways to re-engage with my creative process and reconnect with what inspires me.

Is there one person during your studies/life who has really made a difference to you? – Maybe in terms of encouraging you when you were at a low point, pushing you in different directions unlocking your potential etc.

My creative journey has not always been straightforward. I began my studies in 2015 but didn’t complete them in a linear path, largely due to a sense of restlessness about my creative calling. Throughout this time, the tutors at Kingston played a pivotal role in supporting me, helping me complete my projects, and encouraging me to see things through to the end. I am especially grateful to those who showed patience and offered consistent guidance. Their support has been invaluable in helping me unlock my potential and shape the creative professional I am today.

What is your favourite colour?

Green. Any shade, any tone. Simply green. It’s the colour of hope, balance, and new life. Having grown up in the city, I find myself constantly thirsting for green: romanticising forests filled with evergreens, valleys covered in untamed grass, and endless acres of shrubs. It’s a reminder of renewal and the natural world that I long to reconnect with.

Image credits: Zofia Stepniak

Social media details:

Instagram: @zofias_ideas

Email: zofia_stepniak@hotmail.com