Based in New York City, Florian Marquardt operates at the intersection of storytelling, design, and atmosphere. Through his independent studio, Atelier Florian Marquardt, he explores creative direction, interiors, product design, and visual narratives shaped as much by discipline as by intuition.

Originally from Germany, Florian has built an award-winning career in advertising while cultivating a parallel practice rooted in collecting, storytelling, and spatial design. He has been featured on the cover of Elle Decor and recognised by Business Insider’s 30 Under 30.

Photo: Fabian Martinez

Florian’s practice reflects a balance between structure and curiosity. His days are guided by ritual and routine, yet energized by the movement and unpredictability of the city around him. In this conversation, Florian reflects on self-care as structure, inspiration as motion, and the importance of allowing space for uncertainty while building a creative path that feels both personal and grounded.

AS: What are some self-care practices that you find most benefit your work & creative output?

FM: Especially at home, I’m a fairly structured person. I like to follow certain routines, particularly in the morning. The bed is made first thing, without fail. While the coffee machine is heating up, I burn my favourite incense. A tidy home is important to me — everything needs to have its place.

Your four walls will always reflect your brain, and vice versa.

AS: In what ways do you nurture your mental and emotional health to maintain creativity and inspiration?

FM: I listen to a lot of music — I don’t enjoy sitting in a quiet room. Anything from jazz on vinyl to Spotify when I’m headed outside. I also consume a lot of podcasts; How I Built This and Fresh Air on NPR are great.

Documentaries are my favourite visual medium and a major source of inspiration, alongside regular visits to museums like the Whitney, the Met, or the newly renovated Breuer. I also try to make frequent trips to the Chelsea flea market — there have been some great finds so far.

“LIFE IS REALLY ABOUT DISCOVERING WHO YOU ARE - AND WHO YOU AREN'T.
SELF-REFLECTION IS THE KEY TO GROWTH AND HAPPINESS.” - Florian Marquardt

AS: What practices or routines do you incorporate into your daily life to support your work while maintaining your creative energy and mental well-being?

FM: Every day, I get plenty of steps in — thanks to River, my Golden Retriever. Walking around the city is probably my favourite thing to do, and having a companion makes it even more enjoyable.

It clears my head, offers physical exercise, and very often it’s during those walks that the best ideas and solutions emerge. The streets and people of New York are endlessly inspiring to me — no two days are ever the same.

Photo: Jana Cléve

AS: How do you handle setbacks or challenges in your creative endeavours while still prioritizing your well-being?

FM: They’re simply part of the process. Nothing should come too easily. In a way, challenges test whether you’re on the right path— whether you want it enough.

As creatives, we’re problem-solvers. If you don’t like challenges, perhaps this isn’t the right path. There’s something deeply satisfying about pushing through difficulty and moving closer to the reality you’re building for yourself. Setbacks teach patience, and I try to embrace them — allowing myself to sit in the unknown, trusting that I’ll get there eventually.

AS: What specific environment or settings do you find especially conducive to both self-care and creative inspiration?

FM: Spaces and places that feel alive. I draw far more energy from movement and change than from stillness and silence — which is why living in Los Angeles drove me a little insane. New York is much more my speed.

AS: Best self-care advice you have received?

FM: My dear friend Ubah immediately comes to mind. She’s one of the greatest living examples of showing up authentically and unapologetically as yourself.

Life is really about discovering who you are — and who you aren’t. Self-reflection is the key to growth and happiness.

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