The working relationship between a craftsperson and a designer can often be fraught with technical and creative tension. It’s not unusual to hear a furniture designer lament the limitations of a carpenter’s skills; equally, it’s not rare to hear a carpenter complain about a furniture designer’s unrealistic visions. So what’s the solution?

He [Alexandre Willaume, of Marie et Alexandre] believes that this is beneficial to both parties collaborating on a project. For the designer, not knowing exactly what is possible can be freeing. For the maker, receiving proposals that might seem impossible to execute can encourage them to explore new processes and methods. Perhaps, then, not only can approaching a collaboration with naivety lead to smoother professional relationships but it might also allow both designer and maker to improve their craft.

Nic Monisse is Monocle’s design editor.