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Q1 Please give a brief personal profile and describe your working career so far. Why did you become a designer?
Well I think as a child I was always making things and my father taught me many practical skills and I think that gave me a good sense of problem solving. We traveled a lot as kids and were lucky to have parents with good taste and I think that my aesthetic sense comes from this time. |
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So going to art school was a natural choice as it gave me the chance to be creative and hopefully make a living at it as well. My training at Art School was as a silversmith and this allowed me to use both my hand and mind skills. I worked as a silversmith for a few years and then started making semi mass produced contemporary clocks, this business grew until we employed 50 people in 2 factories in the UK and in California. We used the brand name Ziro and eventually I sold the business in 1997. In 2000 I started this business which fundamentally takes me back to my Silversmithing days and some of the designs are even from my college days, like the Nio teaset, which has now become almost an iconic design.
Q2 What is behind the concept of your designs?
I love simple design solutions as I think they rest easy on they eye and are often very practical to use. They can be very beautiful too. I try to bring good design to everyone at a reasonably affordable level, I don't like elitism. |
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Q6 What makes you create a great design?
I can be a bit self indulgent at times and am lucky enough not to have a boss, so at times it can be as simple as wanting too. |
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Q7 What do you think about design industry in your country?
My country?? You mean UK or HK? I think both countries are strong and produce a lot of talent. I thin the opportunities in Asia right now are huge for any talented designer as so many China factories have little or no quality design support.
Q8 Are there any places or countries you wish to visit?
South America, South Africa and New Zealand
Q9 Are there any people who inspired you? Who do you respect?
I try and respect everyone. I admire so many of the great names and many new talented designers. I don't really involve myself too deeply in the design 'world' as I prefer to remain a little on the outside and not be too influenced by current trends. I certainly don't regard myself as a design intellectual, but perhaps a maverick. |
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Oliver Hemming Ltd was formed in 2000 and is a 2-tiered product design, manufacturing and distribution company working in the contemporary decorative home market. The company serves primarily as a distribution mechanism for the designs and collections of Oliver Hemming. In addition to this we also offer our design services to other clients. Working with the best distributors and stores around the world it is the company's aim to develop a medium to high end brand of decorative and functional accessories for the home and kitchen. With customers in 20 countries around the world the company is planning to expand its existing collection of products and its distribution. |
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Q3 Would you tell us about a project that you are working on right now?
We have just finished a whole new series of Nio electrical appliances and we are working now on the second series of those, plus some more in the Spice Boy series, which is a unique concept in dried spice grinding. We are also designing more clocks for the Time series and a new tea collection, which is quite specific to the hotel and restaurant market in China which we believe is wide open for new products.
Q4 Currently which stores carry your pieces in the world and what is the price range?
We work mainly with high end department stores in the major cities of the developed world. Our products are really not cheap so they find their own level to some extent. We have significant business with independent retailers in the USA and many Art and Design and Architecture museums carry some of our collection. Some of our sets are $300, which although its not cheap we think is pretty good value. |
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Q5 Would you tell us the work you enjoyed the most so far?
I think recently it has to be the New Nio toaster which is really a very simple and beautiful idea. The Morphe teaset I think was technically the most challenging as although it looks quite simple, it requires a very high level of skill to make. |
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Q10 What does beauty mean to you?
Beauty comes in many forms and again I think it's about simplicity for me. Whether it's in fashion or product design or looking at a beautiful girl, I think just keep it simple and the natural honesty of the form will win you over.
Q11 Who is your dream collaborator?
I am very happy with my current staff and colleagues and wouldn't really wish to put anyone above or before them. It's a team and we all have fun and enjoy the atmosphere.
Q12 What's coming up in 2008? Any plans for exhibition?
Yes we have many projects planned and are working on some very exciting new products and also developing bigger and better channels of distribution too. We exhibit our companies' products at trade fairs in Hong Kong and New York and our distributors represent us at many other fairs around the world.
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Q13 What do you think about Japan? (Culture, life style, fashion etc.)
Japan has a unique culture and a people that have great respect for their traditions. Some values that the west seem to have lost which is a pity. I love the food in Japan but the shirts are all too small for me!
Q14 Any last words?
Thanks very much for asking me! |
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