So back in April, as part of my course, we took a trip down to London. London is a place I have been to many of times and have loved it every time I go. There's so much to discover and this trip, once again, made me fall ever so deeply in love with the city.
We were down there for three days and my tutor, Dean, had lots planned for us. On this trip I was to discover the depths of hidden streets and buildings that housed some incredible designers that are popular worldwide.
The first hidden treasure we visited was Jasper Morrison's studio/shop. The exterior of the building was beautiful and so unexpected. We never got to meet Mr Morrison- but the honour of visiting his unique shop was enough. Not only does Jasper sell his own products but also sells pieces that he thinks 'scream design'. These are the pieces in the world that he believes are the greatest designs. I loved this aspect. He wasn't pompous about his own designs and wanted to celebrate the love of design.
We were down there for three days and my tutor, Dean, had lots planned for us. On this trip I was to discover the depths of hidden streets and buildings that housed some incredible designers that are popular worldwide.
The first hidden treasure we visited was Jasper Morrison's studio/shop. The exterior of the building was beautiful and so unexpected. We never got to meet Mr Morrison- but the honour of visiting his unique shop was enough. Not only does Jasper sell his own products but also sells pieces that he thinks 'scream design'. These are the pieces in the world that he believes are the greatest designs. I loved this aspect. He wasn't pompous about his own designs and wanted to celebrate the love of design.
Next stop was Tom Dixon.
Walking along the river on a gloriously sunny day, I didn't know what type of building we were going to be confronted with. Tom Dixon was the designer I knew more about compared to the others and therefore my expectations of what to expect were high. The site really did not disappoint. Portobello Dock is a visually stunning place and is shared between Tom Dixon and Innocent Smoothies.
Walking along the river on a gloriously sunny day, I didn't know what type of building we were going to be confronted with. Tom Dixon was the designer I knew more about compared to the others and therefore my expectations of what to expect were high. The site really did not disappoint. Portobello Dock is a visually stunning place and is shared between Tom Dixon and Innocent Smoothies.
I could have stayed outside and admired the architecture for the whole day, but inside we went and I loved this whole site. Situated inside the docks we looked around the shop and I was in awe at the beautifully aesthetic products and furniture. They were so glamorous with a hint of industrial-ness. I stood there looking at the Pendant lights for a very long time; inspecting the material and how it was manufactured. They had such a lovely effect, I had to take a few vein reflective photos!
Round the back from Tom Dixon, is a company named Moooi. Wow. What an unbelievable place. It would be a dream to work there, even if I was just the cleaner! This company is everything I think of design to be,
It's so unique and quirky and extravagant and clever and colourful and...wow! I can't describe to you how much I fell in love with this place. The people were wonderful. Happy to answer any question we had and welcomed us to take pictures.
p.s excuse the badly taken photographs. A small space and lots of intrigued students equals the odd limbs in the
back/fore-ground.
It's so unique and quirky and extravagant and clever and colourful and...wow! I can't describe to you how much I fell in love with this place. The people were wonderful. Happy to answer any question we had and welcomed us to take pictures.
p.s excuse the badly taken photographs. A small space and lots of intrigued students equals the odd limbs in the
back/fore-ground.
I would highly recommend Moooi for inspiration, to ask questions to or just to find yourself in a general 'wow' mood.
The final designer we went to visit was Simon Pengelly. On a road off the markets of Brixton, Mr Pengelly's studio awaited us. This was the only studio where we actually got to meet the designer. And what a treat it was for us. Simon was so genuine and welcomed us with any questions we wanted to ask. Here, I felt, we were truly let into the secret life of a designer.
Simon was honest with the lifestyle of a designer and said that we couldn't be in this for the money. He told us a story about when he used to work for Habitat. He designed a range of furniture, 'Radius', that still to this day is sold and is very popular. Habitat must have sold thousands (possibly millions) of these pieces and yet Simon got paid £8,000. A stand alone fee. But, as he pointed out, without those pieces he may not be where he is today in the design world.
He showed us one of his recent pieces called 'Theo' which is designed to regenerate the church pew idea to modernise churches. I was in awe of this item of furniture. I wanted to be this item of furniture. (yessy, I know that's a weird thing for me to say). But it was so beautiful. So well made. Brilliantly designed. I wanted to have designed this item of furniture. If I were Simon, I wouldn't stop telling everyone that I had made this simple and yet amazing chair. As you may be able to tell-I was in love.
The final designer we went to visit was Simon Pengelly. On a road off the markets of Brixton, Mr Pengelly's studio awaited us. This was the only studio where we actually got to meet the designer. And what a treat it was for us. Simon was so genuine and welcomed us with any questions we wanted to ask. Here, I felt, we were truly let into the secret life of a designer.
Simon was honest with the lifestyle of a designer and said that we couldn't be in this for the money. He told us a story about when he used to work for Habitat. He designed a range of furniture, 'Radius', that still to this day is sold and is very popular. Habitat must have sold thousands (possibly millions) of these pieces and yet Simon got paid £8,000. A stand alone fee. But, as he pointed out, without those pieces he may not be where he is today in the design world.
He showed us one of his recent pieces called 'Theo' which is designed to regenerate the church pew idea to modernise churches. I was in awe of this item of furniture. I wanted to be this item of furniture. (yessy, I know that's a weird thing for me to say). But it was so beautiful. So well made. Brilliantly designed. I wanted to have designed this item of furniture. If I were Simon, I wouldn't stop telling everyone that I had made this simple and yet amazing chair. As you may be able to tell-I was in love.
Overall, London once again did not disappoint! To go 'behind the scenes' of some of the top English designers was incredible and I learnt a hell of a lot from it. Being a designer isn't as pretty as it looks-a lot of hard work and disappointment is included-something I have found out whilst doing my own projects. But that feeling of pride once a piece is finished is fantastic and from seeing these designers and their success-that hard work is completely worth it!