I have been designing and manufacturing wooden furniture for a living all of my adult life, although I have add the benefit of having an extensive apprenticeship in my father’s workshop and the guidance of my uncle , both gifted  old-world craftspeople, I have had no formal education in the fields of furniture or industrial design. My learning has been directed by my own curiosity and enjoyment, as well as the harsh reality of efficient production and profit. Over the years I have developed my own methods and strategies, I have seen that many other artists have gone through a similar curve.

Redesigning the Dharma Bums folding meditation bench from one with metal hinges to a piece made with wooden hinges is the challenge that have I set for myself.  When looking at the original most observers immediately comment that the hinges on the seat surface and look like they will interfere with the sitting comfort, which they don’t, because they are situated so centrally in the seat. However I am convinced that having a folding bench in which the working parts are all made of wood will enhance its craft-skill appeal and exclusivity while maintaining its functional integrity.

This is how I basically approach my design process.  Firstly and most importantly, I listen. People are at the centre of any creative process whether it is to expose or serve them. When working with a client I try to make an assessment of their “taste”, I have found that seeing them in their private environment is the best way to get this sense of what they like. When I am not working on something that is commissioned I will still involve people whose ‘eye’ I respect in a dialogue about what I am creating.  I bear in mind that I am aiming to put my hands at the service of the connoisseur.

Secondly I take in as much existing visual information as possible, depending on the rate at which I need to process the work, some visualisations are ongoing some have to be finalised within hours. Best is to see and touch actual objects, i.e. the best way to design a chair is to be with chairs, to check for both functionality and aesthetic by being in their cellular presence. I try to look as many hard copies as possible contemplating the ones that stimulate my attention, books sink in well with me, a contained internet browse is also useful to see what is trending, I have heard this being called; filling the well.

I clear my mind and make a quiet space for the last stage of my design process. I use rough sketches to think my way through and develop ideas and design, I consider how and with what materials the final product will be constructed, I try not to let this limit my creativity, usually there are many elements of balance and compromise. Once I am happy with the concept I make an appealing drawing. This drawing can and often does change but it allows me to put it to rest until, the next phase which will be layouts or re-drawing.

This meditation bench that I am busy with is a ‘heart’ project, so I have had the luxury of contemplating it at length, I have seen what is available, touched and used different ones, and nurtured my own design. Next I will enter the period of manifestation.