Melbourne International Design Festival

Image from the 'INDEX : design to improve life' award exhibition in Copenhagen 2007 - these acrylic bubbles will be on display in and around Federation Square as part of the Melbourne International Design Festival 2008. Photos by Jessica Haye and Clark Hsiao. Found on the INDEX Flickr site.

It's the calm before the storm this week... in just over a weeks time Design Festival overload will descend on Melbourne in the form of the Melbourne International Design Festival (hosted by the National Design Centre at Federation Square), which runs simultaneously with the State Government funded State of Design Festival.

There is seriously SO MUCH fantastic stuff scheduled for both of these concurrent festivals that I'm not sure quite how I will cover it all! July looks set to be a really exciting, exhausting month!

One thing I'm really excited about this year is that I'll be writing for the Melbourne International Design Festival blog! Yes I am an official contributer - how professional :) So bookmark the MIDF blog for daily updates of all design-related happenings leading up to and during the festival.

...and because it's almost impossible to decide what to go and see, I've put together a bit of a short-list of my top picks for the 2008 Melbourne International Design Festival... See my suggestions below, but be sure to check out the National Design Centre website for detailed info on all MIDF events.

Patrick Blanc's Vertical Garden in the Melbourne CBD
I mentioned this a few days ago... it's the most anticipated event of the festival for me! If you can't get along to the Patrick Blanc lecture at Fed Square on July 18th (only $10 - book here!)... be SURE to check out his vertical garden installation at Melbourne Central from July 17.


Melbourne Design Market
Always popular, always busy, this year's Melbourne Design Market is set to explode as usual... the usual mix of emerging and established designers join forces to present a design market of spectacular proportions. Jewellery, homewares, fashion, and lighting will be amongst the wares on offer. This year the market takes place on Sunday 20th July, 10am-5pm at the Federation Square undercover carpark. Entry is free. My advice - get there early, and bring cash!

Melbourne Open House
Melbourne Open House is a free of charge event on Sunday, July 20th, 10am – 5pm (again!), giving Melburnians a rare opportunity to discover the hidden architectural details of the CBD not often visible to the public.

Melbourne Open House will be opening a selection of inspiring buildings within walking distance of Federation Square and the Melbourne International Design Festival. Taking part in the event are many prominent Melbourne buildings, including the beautiful art deco Manchester Unity building, the ever-popular Nicholas Building and the new Council House 2 on Flinders Lane - that's the one with the 6-star sustainability rating and those fantastic timber slatted shutters on the facade? You know the one. I am really excited about that one.

The incredible facade of 'Council House 2' in Melbourne - images via Picasa

INDEX award exhibition - Design to Improve Life
The international design award INDEX will stage its first major exhibition outside Denmark for MIDF, encircling Federation Square with 70+ acrylic bubbles, each one a showcase for products and projects from all disciplines of design, with the theme of 'design to improve life'.

As an installaton, the 'bubbles' look fantastic en masse... the shots below are from the INDEX award exhibition in Copenhagen last year. These bubbles will be installed all over Fed Square and surrounding areas this week, and will be in place until the end of the month... can't wait to see them!

Image from the 'INDEX : design to improve life' award exhibition in Copenhagen 2007 - Photos by Jessica Haye and Clark Hsiao. Found on the INDEX Flickr site.

So those are my picks for MIDF.... but there are so many more! I haven't even touched on the always popular 'pop-up' events around town... or the 'studio open' events which allow the curious (like me!) to snoop behind the scenes at some of Melbourne's most innovative design studios from all disciplines. Aagggh. too. much. to. see.

(Tomorrow I'll balance things out with a short-list for the equally anticipated State of Design festival.)

Interview - Liane Rossler

Liane Rossler in her Sydney studio.
Image kindly supplied by photographer Daniel Boud of Boudist

Spicy Dinosaur dinner - how about those colours!?

Dinosaur Designs vases - more incredible colour

gorgeous gumball necklaces

A few weeks ago you may remember I wrote a little piece about the latest range from fantastic Australian company Dinosaur Designs. I have been a huge fan of Dinosaur Designs for such a long time now, so I was more than a little bit star-struck when I received an email out of the blue from Dinosaur Designs co-founder Liane Rossler thanking me for the write-up! Wow!

So... I have to admit I shamelessly seized the opportunity and asked Liane if she would be interested in doing a little interview for The Design Files... and to my (further) excitement she accepted!

Dinosaur Designs are one of my absolute favourite Australian design-based businesses for a number of reasons. Liane Rossler, Louise Olsen and Stephen Ormandy founded the business in 1985 after humble beginnings as art students selling their handmade creations at Sydney's markets. Their incredible path to success is well documented in Australia, and is such an inspiring story for any hopeful young designers/creatives!

One of Dinosaur Designs' many strengths is the fact that all their work is absolutely unique - handmade and hand-tinted, no two products are ever the same. The integrity of this approach is truly admirable in an industry so often consumed with mass-manufacture and cost-cutting. DD's signature style is instantly recognisable - an eclectic blend of chunky, textural shapes inspired by organic forms, combined with the most intuitive, incredible use of colour.

As a business, Dinosaur Designs strikes the perfect balance between art, craft, design, small-scale manufacture and shrewd business strategy. Their popularity never wanes, their collections are always true to the signature DD aesthetic - yet their style evolves with each new range to incorporate new materials and broad influences. Dinosaur Designs is an extraordinary company, who just go from strength to strength with each new project and collaboration they undertake.

I feel very lucky to be able to share this interview with Liane Rossler of Dinosaur Designs - Thankyou so much for your time Liane!

Images from Dinosaur Designs' latest range - 'Delicate'

Tell me a little about your background – what path led you to where you are today?

I studied painting and drawing at city art institute in Sydney (now COFA). I completed a Bachelor of visual arts degree and postgraduate degree in professional art studies. I met my 2 partners Louise Olsen and Stephen Ormandy while studying. We thought it would take time before we could support ourselves as painters, so started a stall at Paddington markets making and selling hand painted clothes. Then we introduced hand painted jewellery to compliment the range. We enjoyed making the jewellery more, and so developed the range more. We were at the markets for 18 months, and when we left art school, we moved to a little studio and started to wholesale. After a couple of years we opened our first store in the Strand Arcade, followed by one in Paddington the following year. Then one in Melbourne, and 6 years ago, one in New York. We also wholesale nationally and internationally. (more details on the Dinosaur Designs website).

Dinosaur designs has become one of the most successful and respected design-based businesses in australia. What do you think are some of the reasons for your incredible success and achievements? Did you ever expect your designs to be as popular and as well known as they are today?

Oh…thank you! I guess we had an original product to offer, and we are continually excited and inspired to design new pieces. Quality and method of production and the way we run our business are also important to us. We never really thought about how popular it would be, but still get a thrill whenever we see people wearing or using our pieces.

Dinosaur Designs seem so prolific – especially given your work is handmade and each piece is unique. You stock stores in Melbourne, Sydney and New York, and you exhibit and distribute your work all over the world. How is your workshop/studio structured to keep up with demand – do you have a large team creating the products? Do you and your partners still play a hands-on role in the design and creation of the pieces?

We design new ranges and launch them in our stores every couple of months. Because we hand make every piece, we can make new colours and produce different techniques every day. We have a total company staff of about 60, and everything is produced at our Strawberry Hills studio. Each piece is hand made with love and care. We have a great team, and it is a wonderful environment to work in. The three of us still design all the pieces and plan the concepts of the ranges. The dd team then do the production - mould making, casting, sanding and finishing.

Dinosaur Designs accessories. top image - striking glossy polished resin bangles and rings, bottom image - timber veneer bracelets and beads.

You’ve collaborated with some very well known international designers, and worked on varied projects including installations, textile and rug design and even camera and laptop designs! What’s next for Dinosaur? What would be a dream project?

It is really exciting to work on collaborations with other companies – it has been great to design pieces and have other people do the manufacturing. Designer Rugs were fantastic to work with, and we love doing the installations and other projects. My dream would be to do a hotel one day and design and make everything for it.

Dinosaur Designs rugs for Designer Rugs - left - 'Sunrise', right - 'Banana Split'

Which designers, artists or creative people are inspired by?

I love contemporary art, architecture, design, but also great thinkers in any field. Inspiration is everywhere. I always find something interesting and inspiring to listen to on ted talks (www.ted.com).

Where else do you find inspiration (travel, film, books, architecture, etc)?

I’m constantly inspired by art and nature. Just seeing how the light falls on something, or the way colours are sitting together in everyday life is constantly inspiring. I love films – especially documentaries, and ‘thoughtful’ architecture. Often the most simple things are inspiring.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

It’s pretty mixed. Design. Meetings. It is good to be open to what the day brings, because sometimes you need to be open to the opportunities can occur. You plant a lot of seeds as you go along, and sometimes they pop up.

Bangles and rings from the wood veneer range of accessories

What are you most proud of?

I’m proud to be able to have creative freedom in design and the way that we run the company.

What's the best thing about your job?

As above.

And the worst?

Love it all :)

What are you looking forward to – professionally or personally?

I’m looking forward to seeing the world become more sustainable, and seeing the mind shift move away from the economy being the most important thing.

Bangles from the Bamboo range

Sydney questions –

What/where was the last great meal you ate in sydney?

Seans Panaroma at Bondi. Perfection.

Where would we find you on a typical saturday morning?

At home doing painting or craft with the kids, or taking a walk around centennial park.

Dino Breakfast

Sydney’s best kept secret?

Mmmmmm…..that’s a tricky one. I think you can find pretty much everything here if you look for it.

Dinosaur vases. left - 'Bamboo' range, right - classic range

Morrison

Morrison store, Chadstone

Morrison store, Chadstone

Morrison - Winter 2008 range

Bit slow on the uptake with this one (they've been open since March), but I have just been introduced to the stunning new Morrison store in Chadstone.... (I know I know - Chadstone, boring...) But this shop is so beautiful! It's like a little oasis amongst all the bright lights and hustle and bustle...

Fit-out - textured milky walls, limed blonde oak floorboards, and beautiful ceiling to floor grey linen drapes in each fitting room.... not to mention that stunning light fitting in the centre of the store - delicate hand-crafted ceramic shades clustered together like scrunched paper bags. Simply stunning... they sourced this feature from a European designer (agghh.. not sure where from exactly... Denmark? or Belgium possibly...)

Range - earthy, muted colours, natural fibres (some organic) including linen, cotton, wool and leather, and structured, slouchy styles - classic and comfortable. Great accessories too - including bags and jewellery by many European designers exclusive in Australia to Morrison. It's so refreshing to see product that you don't see everywhere else!

Incredibly, the entire Morrison clothing range is all Australian-made. This is such a rarity these days, and is a truly admirable policy, especially for a new fashion house in a very competitive market. In fact, Morrison's prices are extremely reasonable, proving it is possible to manufacture locally and still keep costs fair.

Morrison are from WA, and just opened in Melbourne in March. Check out their website for more info, but more importantly, get out to Chadstone and visit the store. You won't be disappointed.

(Thanks for the tip-off Jess!!)

Morrison
shop 412
Chadstone Shopping Centre
1341 Dandenong rd, Chadstone

ph. 9568 3700

(park near David Jones)

Mud Australia sample/seconds sale this weekend in Sydney

ooohh hello.

I just received an email from the gorgeous Mud Australia... no good for Melbourne folks I'm afraid, but anyone in Sydney this weekend can snap up a selection of Mud's beautiful ceramic tableware at heavily discounted prices from their samples and seconds sale! Aggh. Wish I could make it.

Apparently there will also be big savings on discontinued Chilewich placemats, runners, bags, floormats etc etc.

Saturday, 28th June – 10am to 4pm & Sunday, 29th June – 10am to 4pm
15 Sloane Street, Marrickville 2204 (off Sydenham Road) NSW

They accept VISA, Mastercard, EFT and cash.

Interview - Melanie Katsalidis

Melanie Katsalidis in her studio behind the Pieces of Eight Gallery in Fitzroy North

Pieces of Eight gallery and shop

The Design Files is such a great way to contact and meet some of the most incredible creative people.... I find myself constantly inspired by the people I have the good fortune to research and interview for this site... and today's interview is no exception! Melanie Katsalidis is someone I find incredibly inspiring on so many fronts... she established her gallery and shop Pieces of Eight, in North Fitzroy in 2005, enlisting her architect Dad to turn a beautiful old industrial building on Brunswick st into a gallery, shared studio space, and a first-floor apartment. When you see what has evolved at Pieces of Eight in under 3 years, you'll understand my enthusiasm!

Pieces of Eight is a gallery and artist studio specialising in handmade contemporary jewellery and object based work made by Australian and international artists. Melanie carefully selects the artists represented at Pieces of Eight, and curates regular exhibitions, as well as managing the day-to-day needs of the retail side of the business. She also manages the shared studio space behind the gallery, in which 6 jewellers (including Melanie herself) create their work. But first and foremost - Melanie is a jeweller, and although she struggles to find time to create her own work these days (understandably!), its her background as an artist that gives her a unique approach to the running of a creative business.

Melanie's vision for her business is so clear and uncompromising... even the smallest details are carefully considered. For instance - Melanie showed me how she designed the jewellery display cases in such a way that the locks are invisible, hidden underneath each section of cabinetry. This took some careful planning and sourcing of the correct hardware - but I completely understand Melanie's fastidious attention to detail! After all - although everything on display at Pieces of Eight is essentially for sale, the space is run more like an art gallery than a retail space. One continuous display case runs across all walls of the shop at eye level - so you're not bombarded with product as is the case in most retail spaces. Each piece on display is unique and handcrafted... and Melanie knows the background of every single artist like the back of her hand! During my visit, she reeled off information about each piece of work so quickly and so fluently I could barely scribble it down in time!

But of all her successes, I think Melanie's greatest achievement has been the creation of a collaborative working environment as a central part of her business... I would love to work in such a wonderful, inspiring space! It's clear that Melanie's passion for object-based artwork and jewellery extends far beyond her own creative output, and I think one of the gallery's greatest strengths is the support it offers local artisans and jewellers.

Read on for an insight into Melanie's creative inspiration, the challenges she faced in setting up her business.... oh, and there's about a million photos too. :)

Current work by Rachel Gorman - a collection of ceramic stud rosettes (top), and enamelled copper and silver brooch (bottom).

Images from the incredible workspace of Rachel Gorman (who shares the studio behind Pieces of Eight with Melanie and other jewellers).

More of Rachel Gorman's beautiful workspace - I love her ordered collection of delicate trinkets and materials...

Work by Laura di Florio and Alida Cappellata forms the current window display at Pieces of Eight, entitled Through the Window. Both artists use photographic media as a central component in their work - di Florio's work uses layers of photographic images and perspex, whereas Cappellatta uses discarded metal film canisters to create delicate forms inspired by the organic forms. This exhibition runs until June 21st 2008. More info here.

Work by Japanese-born, Melbourne-based jeweller Yuko Fujita... I love the organic nature of these pieces, and the muted colours. Yuko creates these using silver, ceramic and handtinted silicone (those coloured 'cup' shapes are actually squishy and flexible silicone pieces!). The result is truly stunning and so unique. Yuko Fujita is having a solo show at Pieces of Eight in September this year... stay tuned!

More from Yuko Fujita - for some reason her work reminds me of underwater creatures like anenome and seaweed...

Tell me a little about your background - what did you study and what path led you to what you’re doing now?

After studying the International Bachelaureate, I was still unsure about what career I wanted to pursue, so I studied Arts at Melbourne University, majoring in Art History and Cinema Studies. While I really enjoyed the course and the campus, I missed physically making things and so I began making jewellery as a side project and selling my work through a few independent fashion stores and craft shops. As I came to the end of my Arts degree I knew I wanted to get some formal training in jewellery and pursue it further, which led me to study Gold and Silversmithing at RMIT University. After this I got some business skills by doing the NEIS course and working full time as a jeweller with a part time job in retail on the weekends. The opportunity came up to establish a big shared studio at 635 Brunswick St, and before I knew it I had also made the commitment to open a gallery in the front of the space. It just seemed like the right time and place.

You’re a jewellery designer, and you also manage and curate the work of other jewellery designers for your own gallery/studio. How do you balance your own creative output with the running of your gallery and workshop? How do you find these two roles complement each other?

Trying to fill the two roles is a huge challenge. The gallery currently takes most of my energy and attention as there are so many aspects of the business to manage. As I result I find myself spending less time at the bench as I have less time and head space to make my own work. However I am probably now more time efficient than I ever was, and my plan is to give myself more time for my own jewellery/artistic practice as we become more established.

Being an artist myself means I probably make different decisions than a strictly business-only person. Firstly I have an understanding of materials, process and the realities and pressures of being an artist. I also am happy to do certain things that I deem important, but may not be financially driven, like the way we produce a catalogue for every exhibition we hold. This is about documentation and giving longevity to the work which will only be exhibited for four weeks, although it’s taken months to put together.

Melanie's own workspace... including her dentist's drill (seriously!) with all the necessary attachments. Who knew jeweller's used dentist equipment!? The bottom image here is Melanie demonstrating using the drill... bzzzz. ouch!

Melanie's own work on display

A lot of creative professionals say that they love the creative side of their job, but hate the paperwork and the ‘business’ side of things. Do you struggle with things like marketing and promoting yourself or your store, keeping your accounts in order, managing staff or other designers? What advice would you offer emerging designers about establishing a creative business?

The business side for me is very important and needs my constant attention, but my passion is for the more creative aspects of the business like curating the exhibitions and helping artists develop their work for the gallery. The business side however can be really interesting and it has been a huge learning curve for me, and I love seeing the results of the huge amount of energy I have put into things.

Since I have been on a tight budget I have had to do many things myself that I will be happy to delegate to others in the future. Doing things like marketing, advertising and book keeping myself has meant I’ve been in total control of all these aspects which make you think critically about the business and how you are running things. Although I look forward to passing these jobs onto professionals in the future, I at least now have an understanding of how these things work.

I would advise emerging designers to look into leaning some basic business skills if they want to have their own business. The government run NEIS course I highly recommend, or go to Small Business Victoria. Also, be professional in how you market yourself and approach clients/galleries. Have your own business cards, a blog or website and take good quality images of all your work.

How would you describe your own style of jewellery design?

Clean, architectural, geometric and fluid.

Melanie's own work uses silver, gold, oxidised silver, and well as powder coating (that's the red you see in the images above). Powder coating is an industrial technique where paint is essentially 'baked on' to metal surfaces at high temperatures. Melanie has also started using black pearls in her work more recently.

Which designers, artists or creative people are you inspired by?

So many, it’s hard to list! I have very broad interests in diverse things, and although my work is very different from these people, I am inspired by: Droog Design, Japanese contemporary culture, artist James Turrell, Tadao Ando’s Chichu Art Museum, artist Anish Kapoor, jeweller Sally Marsland, jeweller Manon van Kouswijk, Caravaggio, Mesopotamian sculpture, musician Goldfrapp, chef Karen Martini, the modernist house at Heide and the gardens, the people around me, my grandmother’s crazy knitting projects, being in love.

Where else do you find inspiration – ie books, magazines, your environment, travel, your family and friends?

I love my home which is my sanctuary, my retreat. I really enjoy travelling and would ideally travel twice a year. I am currently very drawn to Japan and have been there my last two trips overseas. My dad is an architect whose influence has been more subliminal than direct. My creative friends are always inspiring to be around, as is the workshop behind the Pieces of Eight gallery where 6 jewellers work independently. I buy lots of magazines and especially like IDS, Another Magazine, Urbis, Dazed and Confused, Surface, Object, Russh and Monument.


Michelle Cangiano is a jeweller as well as teacher at RMIT. Her pieces incorporate acid etched illustrations which are then embossed onto silver sheets to create delicately textured surfaces. In the top image you can also she her carved, faceted shapes made of painted huon pine.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

Checking my emails while I eat breakfast, opening the gallery, making cups of tea between taking care of lots of little things. Often I meet with artists who are dropping off new stock or showing new works, tend to customers and reply to lots of emails! There’s also lots of other things to do like clean jewellery, photograph work, re-arrange displays and work towards the up-coming exhibitions.

Lucy Folk's whimsical designs are all inspired by food! Much of Lucy's work employs a fascinating technique called 'electroforming' in which a particular food item (pretzel, dorito, burger ring etc) is encased and preserved within layers of 24 carat gold. This means inside each pendant/brooch/earring is the actual piece of food! Incredible! Lucy also carves super-light, soft jelutong wood into food-inspired shapes like salami slices and fruit pieces. Be sure to visit Lucy's gorgeous website for more lovely images.

What are you most proud of professionally?

Establishing Pieces of Eight and the reputation we’ve been cultivating.

Pieces of Eight display cases

Object-based work by Melbourne printmaker Julia Silvester. The top image is part of a beautiful collection of work combining layered lasercut timber, printmaking and illustration... The bottom image is from a series of glasswork Julia has sandblasted with medieval botanical imagery.

What's the best thing about your job?

Meeting great artists, visiting their workshops and selecting new artists to represent. Also curating the exhibitions is always an interesting process and hugely satisfying.

And the worst?

The stress can wear me down and getting sick is my body’s way of making me stop.

What would be your dream creative project?

Something which gives me the chance to travel and select participants for an exhibition here in Melbourne, and then the exhibition would travel to various fantastic galleries internationally, with me in tow!

What are you looking forward to – professionally or personally?

Expanding and growing the business. Developing my own work. And throwing a great big party when I get married early next year!

I love these chunky, faceted silver shapes by Krista McRae. I also really love the display layout - Krista created the clear faceted display blocks for her work to sit on. They complement the work so well! Beautiful.

Krista McRae's beautiful (and very tidy!) workspace in the Pieces of Eight shared studio - I love those faceted silhouette shapes on her wall...

Melbourne Questions –

What/where was the last great meal you ate in Melbourne?

My birthday dinner in April was at Kin in North Carlton, a new restaurant run by old family friends who’ve known me most of my life. Amazing, memorable food.

Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?

If I’m not working in the gallery, I’m making pancakes for my fiancé and myself while trashy music videos play on the TV. Otherwise enjoying a late, long brunch with friends. My current favourite café is Mixed Business on Queens Pde, Clifton Hill.

Melbourne’s best kept secret?

Cocoro Japanese restaurant and ceramics on Smith St, Fitzroy. Great food, lovely people and on a Sat night you can watch the drag show at Trade Bar across the street which is quite entertaining, especially without having to listen to the music!

Object-based artworks by architect Mark Szulgit and artist Julia Adzuki. Mark is originally from New York and Julia is Australian, and the pair are partners in work and in life. They're now based in Sweden, and are gaining international recognition for their ice sculptures and involvement in Sweden's famous ice hotel!

A big thankyou to Melanie for all her time with this interview! Be sure to visit the Pieces of Eight website and also their blog for lots more info, as well as in-depth profiles of some of Melbourne's most exciting contemporary jewellers and artisans.

I should also mention that Melanie is taking part in Craft Victoria's 'speed dating' development event for craft practitioners entitled Making out, which takes place on August 15th at Craft Victoria in the city. The event is an opportunity for emerging craftspeople and designers to present ideas and gain advice from established craft and design professionals like Melanie! More info here if you'd like to participate.

LASTLY, Pieces of Eight have just confirmed they'll be taking part in a studio open day with Craft Victoria as part of the 'Month about Making' festival in August. So if you want to see more of Pieces of Eight behind the scenes, pop down on Thursday August 21st between 1.00pm and 5.00pm!

Pieces of Eight
635 Brunswick st
North Fitzroy

9497 8121

Open Tues - Fri 11.00am - 6.00pm
Saturday 11.00am - 5.00pm

Emma Elizabeth Designs

Australian designer Emma Elizabeth Coffey of Emma Elizabeth Designs sent me a press release recently about her latest furniture and interior accessories collection entitled CHIUSO (meaning 'closed' in Italian).

The work is so accomplished and so slick... each piece incorporates a monochromatic sculptural form within a clear acrylic 'box'. This striking visual theme mimics the way we are used to seeing fine art encased in museums, and gives each piece a real sense of drama.

Interestingly, for some reason, Emma Elizabeth's work immediately struck me as having an 'international' design look, rather than an 'Australian' design aesthetic.... After reading a little more about her, I realised this is probably due to her years of study and travel abroad - she spent much of her youth living between Australia and the US, started uni originally in Brisbane, and later went on to complete a degree in commercial interior design at the Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) in Milan.

pendant light

Interview - Volker Haug

Volker Haug

Volker Haug is one Melbourne lighting designer to watch - and if you haven't heard his name yet, get ready to be hearing a lot more of it. After starting his professional life in landscape gardening and then hairdressing, (all the while tinkering with lighting design on the side), Volker's work is finally making waves both here an overseas. Interestingly, it was an article posted by The Coolhunter late last year that was the launching pad for Volker's current success... he literally went from creating his pieces by hand out of his garage here in Richmond, to receiving orders and inquiries from as far as the US and China! Yay for design blogs!

Volker's designs strike the perfect balance between raw minimalism and the unexpected. His work uses simple, clean lines, but combines this slick aesthetic with punchy colours and kooky shapes... classy yet full of personality. I love seeing design that it completely unlike anything else on the market, and Volker's work is truly unique. I'm convinced his pieces will become very well known very soon indeed!

Also, I think it's worth mentioning that Volker Haug is not just a great lighting designer, he's also a great interviewee! He responded to my request for an interview in lightening-fast time, sent me the best photos (and lots of them!), and supplied great shots of himself (very rare for a designer!). He was also super friendly :) Thanks so much Volker!

Rudolf

single antlers

Apparently you are a trained hairdresser, and self-taught designer… which is an interesting basis for what you’re doing now! Tell me a little about your background - what path led you to what you’re doing now?

I was always into lighting from very early age on - from flicking switches on and off to the degree that my parents had to tape them down.

I electrocuted myself at age 7 - maybe a spark for life?!

After school I didn’t really know what to do as ‘lighting design’ is not really a recognised job, so I didn’t know how to approach that subject. Instead I became a landscape gardener, then a hairdresser, which lasted for 15 years.

I kept up lighting design as a hobby through the years, which grew stronger and stronger, and one day I met Geoffrey Mance - the most approachable and amazing lighting designer, who saw lighting very similarly to myself. I got a job with him, and started my own business after 1.5 years.

It’s been said in the press that the turnaround moment for your lighting design business came when The Coolhunter website promoted your work late last year, generating a lot of interest both here and overseas. Is this accurate? How would you say that singular event has propelled your business? What other factors have contributed to your success?

That’s correct, god save the coolhunter!

As the coolhunter is one of the biggest national and international design blogs I’ve been told, word (and picture) spreads far, all over the world really. I had at least 20 media enquiries - the most random ones at times like Greek marieclaire, Argentinean playboy as well as a Chinese airline magazine to name just a few.

I also go a few jobs out of that including lighting for a fine dining restaurant in San Francisco!

Other factors I think are the fact that what I do is often seen as a bit crazy and ‘different’ (as much as I hate the word) and that’s seems to be what people go for, lucky me!

table jewellery

What were your initial goals when you started making lights? Were you ever intending for your designs to become commercially distributed and for it to become your full-time job?

In my dream world I always wanted it to be a real full time job and career, and finally its heading that way, which I still can’t really believe at times.

I still get nervous when people want to distribute my designs especially commercially because its exposed to anyone and everyone then - I guess designs always reflect your personality but I guess in time I’ll get used to it.

Which designers, artists or creative people are you inspired by?

My ultra guru is Ingo Maurer - the most amazing German lighting designer. I’d love to meet him some time.

Besides him I adored Geoffrey Mance as I mentioned earlier. Basically I admire anyone who is unique & creative and can make a living out of that!

4 arm antler

Where else do you find inspiration – travel, books, film, the internet etc?

Yes travel is number one, have done quite a bit already but, as you do, you only ever realise that the world is sooo much bigger than we initially think.

I love films, especially art house, don’t get the chance to see enough films but can be very inspired through the right ones.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

At the moment I’m spending too much time in front of the computer answering e mails, book keeping, and following up on things, which I generally don’t mind - but all in reason.

Once I’m down in the studio I love it and don’t ever want to see daylight again.

What are you most proud of professionally?

Hmm, I guess me being me and seeming to have a good connection and networking ability with all sorts of different people, which enriches my life in both business and private relationships.

What's the best thing about your job?

Being my own boss

And the worst?

Being my own boss ;-)

What would be your dream project?

A project that involves working with other designers that are on the same wave length as me.

I think you can only go so far being on your own and it’s a healthy thing being involved with other creative people who will mutually bring out the best in oneself.

2 arm antler

What are you looking forward to – professionally or personally?

Personally: I’m looking forward to be able to draw a wage from my business which might happen sometime in the near future if things keep going as well as they are at present.

I think that will be a big reward for the hard yards one puts in and is something that continues you to keep going.

Professionally: I’d like to (and have to) move into a bigger workshop as my current one is far too small for me as it is.

That would help as well feeling more professional and being able to employ people in the future.

nuts for you - clear

Melbourne Questions –

Where do you shop for the tools of your trade?

Many of the hot things are imported from Germany.

I also LOVE Bunnings (I’ve got a trade card)!!!

What/where was the last great meal you ate in Melbourne?

Oh I LOVE eating out, so its hard, one of my most favorite meals in Melbourne is the Tom Cooper pizza at ‘pizza meine liebe’ in Northcote, the best pizza in town for sure!

Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?

Some people who will read this answer will know where, for other it’s a mystery! ;-)

Melbourne’s best kept secret?

… should stay secret!

Wow pendants - side view and inside views

For many more images of Volker's incredible work please do visit his website. His work is stocked at The National Design Centre at Fed Square, Tongue and Groove (84 Smith st, Collingwood), Village Idiom (34 Anderson St Yarraville) and at OBJX in Brisbane.

Bloesem's World Tour - Caravana

Caravana custom designed fabrics

Irene from Bloesem has just posted my second contribution to her fantastic World Tour... This time I have written a little about my favourite Australian design duo - Caravana.

If you have time please check out the article over at Bloesem! Be sure to click at the bottom to see the full post with photos of Caravana's stunning hand-embellished fabrics... :)

Caravana Spring/Summer 06/07

Dinosaur Designs - latest range

I just received a new promotional catalogue from Dinosaur Designs... The theme for their latest range is 'bamboo'. Gorgeous things as usual - I love the bangles... they always look best en masse(?) of course. Also the delicate flat beads (above) with their varied textures and patterns are stunning. And.... I just want a house full of their vases and bowls too. Is that too much to ask?

My scans of the catalogue are below... but they really don't do the colours justice. Check out their website for better shots.




Mother's day is just around the corner here in Aus... good present maybe? Go on.... Be generous. She deserves it :)

Dinosaur Designs
562 Chapel st
South Yarra
Vic

Stores also in Sydney and New York(!). (If you're in the US and haven't discovered this fantastic Australian company yet please go visit... you won't be disappointed!)