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Sam Johnson Answers Despoke Questions

MARK_Net chair_galvanised
Sam graduated from Ravensbourne University in 1998 with a degree in furniture and domestic product design. After graduating he worked for a number of independent designers including Michael Sodeau, before setting up his own studio in 2001.

The studio’s output is as diverse as its approach; each brief is a new beginning and no style or single approach is applied. There are always new problems to solve and new techniques to explore, designing should be a constant evolution.

Working with a range of companies from large multinational brands to smaller, more intimate local collaborations, the studio and its portfolio continue to grow and evolve as new opportunities arise. The studio’s work has been exhibited internationally and is distributed through some of the world’s leading design outlets. His work is regularly featured in the media. Most recently the studio has been awarded the prestigious Blueprint design award for the NET chair.

As well as running the design studio Sam has also taught at a number of British design schools as well as delivering lectures for the British council and the ICA.
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Ed Burak answers Despokes Questions

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A 1991 graduate of Wellington Polytechnic School of Design, Ed has worked in a variety of Design consultancies & in-house design studios during his career.

Having worked in in NZ, Australia & China, Ed has been back in NZ for
over 12 years – predominately with Formway Design Studio based in
Wellington.

Formway Design Studio is a internationally recognised research & design
studio who are best known for their work in the highly challenging
commercial furniture sector. Their work is licensed for manufacture by
some of the most successful companies in the United States such as Knoll and Kimball Office.

Ed’s tenure with Formway Design has included leading several significant research & design projects, Design strategy and GM of Marketing. Currently Ed is leading the research consultancy component of Formway Design, leveraging well developed user insight techniques and broadening the studios exposure to sectors well beyond commercial office furniture.
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Jamie McLellan answers Despokes Questions

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Image:flyover table

Biography.
Since graduating in 1999 with a BDes in Industrial Design, Jamie McLellan has designed for manufacturers and consultancies in Australasia, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Asia and America.

Before establishing his own practise in late 2006, Jamie was most recently employed as Senior Designer to well known Briton, Tom Dixon.

Currently splitting his time between New York and New Zealand, Jamie is working on a wide range of projects, from furniture and lighting to windsurfing equipment, beer taps, coffins, kayaks, bicycles and more.
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John Miller from Mark Product Answers Despoke’s Questions

MARK_Nest_lounge and sled_hires

What made you want to become a designer in the first place?
I was drawn to more “practical” things at school and loved making. Then I read Victor Papanek’s Design for the Real World at school and that made me want to design. I still think design it’s the best design book – all designers should re-read it every 5 years or so!

Where did you study design?
Foundation at Ravensbourne, Furniture Design at Leeds Poly, ending up with an MA in Design for Disability at London College of Furniture (now part of London Met).
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Neil Mac Queen Answers Despokes Questions

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What made you want to become a designer in the first place?
It has been a natural progression for me, I was alwyas drawing as a kid, and later I realised that I could make my drawings and imagination come to life by being a designer. Another major attraction is its individuality and opportunity for expression.

Where did you study design?
I studied ‘Product Design and Innovation’ at UWE in Bristol, they have a great setup there and its a great city.
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INTRODUCING STORM IN A TEACUP…

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It’s beautiful, it’s affordable and it’s exclusive to CultureLabel… Jennifer Farrell, the ever-so-talented founder of Storm in a Teacup, gives CultureLabel’s Astrid the low-down on her new jewellery range:

1. Tell us a bit more about the new collection…
I wanted this range to be really luxurious with lots of beautiful colour and a mix of materials. I’ve used rich corals, glassy turquoise and aqua blues alongside porcelain, glass, faux suede and bone. Style wise, I pride my pieces on being more unique than anything you’d find on the high street and I try to give them a real timeless and classic quality.

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Interview for Despoke – Josep Congost, Design Manager, Roca

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Despoke managed to catch up with Josep Congost at 100% design 2010 where ROCA launched their competition Jump the Gap-
We where able to grab a few minutes of his time to talk about how he became a designer and what products he really liked

What made you want to become a designer in the first place?
It was really my first choice once I graduated in engineering… and I discovered that any product needs its own soul, and that can be only created through the design.
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Philip Watt answers Despoke Questions

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What made you want to become a designer in the first place?
I was always interested in how things around me were made and came together. At school art was a big strength, and my love of drawing led me naturally onto drawing objects. I love eexamining how objects and products are made and put together, the intricacies of form and function.

Where did you study design?
I did an Art Foundation course in Loughborough and a furniture Design degree at Nottingham University
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