Dear Friends and Family,

As I finish my Master’s in Design Products, I’ve been going through one of the hardest times of my life. As many of you know, my dad, Ralf Ortmann, lived with PSC (primary sclerosing cholangitis). A liver transplant in summer of 2020 gave him precious extra years; unfortunately, bile duct cancer had already begun to develop. Over the last five years, the cancer spread to his liver, lungs and, eventually, his bones. Through endless rounds of chemotherapy and surgeries, he continued to live with resilience and kindness. I left my course early to be with my dad and my mom, Lilia. We never left his side while he was hospitalized at Stanford Med. By mid month my dad entered hospice. He passed away on August 21st. Later this fall, he will be honored at a ceremony which will take place at Stanford University on November 20.

My dad was my rock, my best friend, and my hero. He was also my secret weapon in my artistic work, the engineer to my designer. The last piece we made together was my first Royal College of Art design challenge: a three-legged stool made utilizing only scissors and a single material: reclaimed PVC curtains. The challenge was to create a functioning stool using just one tool and one material, with no glue, adhesives, or added structure. I made it over a few days, continually FaceTiming with my dad as we talked through potential materials and ways to transform something strong but flexible into a structure sturdy enough to hold weight. His engineering know-how guided me in finding solutions and gave me the confidence to push the material further than I thought possible.

Later this month, I graduate from RCA. I have three exhibitions of my work ahead, with another in October. My focus has been on sustainable materials, textiles, and craft. My vision is to secure a studio assistant role while continuing to develop my post-industry textile collection. I am emerging as a part of the innovative sustainable design movement in London and contributing to how materials are re-imagined, waste is reduced, and craft traditions are carried forward into new, responsible design practices.

I’m asking for support to help cover living costs and materials for the next 4 months as I take my first steps post-graduate studies and find a job in my field. Any help, through a donation or sharing this page, means so much to me. Your support allows me to continue the work I’ve poured my heart into, and to carry my dad’s spirit forward through it.

With love and gratitude,

Sofia