We were lucky to catch up with Adi Azar and Yotam Shifroni – StudioKnob N\A recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Adi Azar and Yotam Shifroni – StudioKnob thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

In 2021, our most profound venture was the “Very Mature” solo exhibition, initiated by Shimon Castiel, the Holon municipality galleries manager, whose unexpected passing deeply affected us. We dedicated “Ahava Wings,” a significant piece at the exhibition’s entrance, to his memory. This artwork, created from layered acrylic glass that played with light, was one of our most challenging pieces yet, pushing the boundaries of our material and technical capabilities.

We drew inspiration from a blend of local elements, including the industrial landscape of Holon and the natural beauty of a nearby agricultural school. These elements were intricately modeled, photographed, and then meticulously reassembled as a multi-layered illuminated cutout piece. The resulting composition straddles two worlds: one that resonates with the unbridled imagination of a child and another that seeks out the complex meanings cherished by adults. Layer upon layer, these images coalesce into grand wings that beckon viewers to immerse themselves, becoming part of the artwork’s narrative.

Following its debut, “Ahava Wings” earned a place at the Eretz Israel Museum’s Art & Design Biennale, an event that concluded prematurely due to the tragic October 7th massacre and the subsequent outbreak of war. We decided to sell the piece, committing half the proceeds to aid organizations supporting the massacre’s survivors. The artwork now residing at the Daniel Hotel in Herzliya, housing evacuees from the conflict areas. This project stands out for its emotional depth, technical challenge, and contribution to a cause beyond the art world.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

We are Adi Azar and Yotam Shifroni, the founders of StudioKnob, active since 2015. Alongside our shared professional path in design, we are a couple in life, raising our daughter together. Our brand name reflects our belief in the importance of details; a ‘knob’ symbolizes the small touch that can open doors to larger experiences, embodying how we share our creative vision with the world.

At StudioKnob, we focus on creating innovative furniture, lighting, retail window displays and artifacts that span the full spectrum from concept to finished product, including the design of spaces themselves. Our work is driven by a passion for transforming everyday objects into sources of beauty and intrigue.

What distinguishes us is our approach to design, combining functionality with an artistic vision to create pieces that challenge the ordinary. We pride ourselves on our ability to push boundaries, exploring new materials and methods to bring unique ideas to life.

Highlights & awards:
09.2019 – Intelligence Design Award (IDA), honorable mention, product design category.
05.2019 – A`Design Award, gold price winner, lighting products and lighting projects category.
12.2018 – Red Dot, one of 50 young design professionals shortlist.
12.2017 – “Layered” portrait piece purchased by film director Quentin Tarantino.
10.2017 – Award from The Old Jaffa Development Company: Residency and a two-month exhibition.
03.2017 – Award from Fresh Paint fair and the Holon Design Museum. The award included procurement of a “Layered” piece for the museum’s collection.

Solo exhibitions:
02.2022 – “Very Mature”, The Farm Gallery, Holon, Israel.
05.2018 – “Launch Pad”, Wanted Design Manhattan, USA.
11.2017 – “Both Matters II”, Mazal Dagin 15 Gallery, Jaffa, Israel.
03.2017 – “Both Matters I”, Fresh Paint 8 art & design fair, Tel Aviv, Israel.
05.2015 – “Stories in Light & Shadows”, D+A Domus Gallery, Israel.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

We first crossed paths in 2009 on the set of a short film, where Adi, fresh from visual design studies at Shenkar College, was producing, and Yotam, in his early days at the Holon Institute of Technology’s interior design department, served as the art director. Our initial connection deepened one night when Adi gave Yotam a ride home after a late shoot, leading to an unexpected overnight stay. Our relationship blossomed, and we married in 2015. Interestingly, we later discovered a photo from a Purim party that revealed we had actually met years earlier, in full costume, and had a bit too much fun to remember it :)

Our creative collaboration began with crafting small items for friends, which soon evolved into participating in exhibitions and sales events. A pivotal moment came when Quentin Tarantino and his wife, Daniela Pick, purchased one of our works, affirming our belief in the potential of our joint venture. Motivated by this recognition, we officially founded our studio, marking the start of our professional journey together.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

In the realm of creativity, we’re acutely aware of the world’s sorrows and pains, yet we believe in the transformative power of creation. Crafting something new not only brings joy and interest but fosters connections and interactions that might not have existed otherwise. Each story we tell through our work contributes a new layer of wonder, curiosity, and empathy to the world. It’s always humbling and inspiring to witness how people react to our creations, eager to engage and become part of the narrative we weave with real, tangible objects.

Our journey has been enriched by the incredible support and goodwill from fellow creators and the broader community, who express their desire to be part of our creative exploration. This interaction is a testament to the power of creative work to evoke emotions and responses, shaping our pieces in ways we hadn’t anticipated. Feedback and engagement from our audience have been pivotal, driving the evolution of our work and ensuring it resonates more deeply with those who experience it.

While we’ve encountered challenges, such as instances where our work was replicated by others with more resources but perhaps less patience or originality, these moments have been learning opportunities. They remind us of the value and impact of our original creations.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.studioknob.com/en/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studio_knob/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/studioknob
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adi-azar-51b31012/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxW52DibLOMTfnsdTqTGuHA

Image Credits
StudioKnob-Aqua-creations-Click-Light-Interactive-rope-lamp-design-Elemento-44 :Photo by Albi Zarfati StudioKnob-Layered-illuminating_elevator_ceiling-flying_books-designart-cutout: Photo by Amit Geron studioknob-layered-storytelling-lighting-fixtured-led-light-design-alice-11: Photo by Tamuz Rachman studioknob-layered-tzvika-pik-portrait-lighting-art-on: Photo by StudioKnob Adi Azar & Yatam Shifrony studioknob-readymade-reuse-upcycle-repurpose-green-design-clock-timepiece-11: Photo by StudioKnob Adi Azar & Yatam Shifrony StudioKnob-Shoofra-shoes-retail-display-window-design-shop-front; Photo by Meidan Gil Arush StudioKnob-Very_Mature-israeli_design_exhibition-Holon Farm_Gallery-Adi_Azar-Yotam_Shifroni-curator_Tom_Kohen-b4: Photo by Anton Sverdlov StudioKnob-Very_Mature-israeli_design_exhibition-Holon Farm_Gallery-Adi_Azar-Yotam_Shifroni-curator_Tom_Kohen-f1b copy: Photo by Anton Sverdlov