In this interview, we delve into the creative mind of designer Tom Robinson, who lives between London and Paris and specializes in the use of low-impact materials.
→ Hi Tom, can you introduce yourself?
I am an independent designer, living in London and Paris. I create products, furniture and spaces for a range of clients, specializing in natural and low-impact materials.
Having worked for leading design + architecture studios in London, I chose to start my independent practice in 2021. This allows me to work with new people, makers and materials that interest me personally.
Currently, my work focuses on bringing better and alternative material solutions into our daily lives, such as creating durable cutlery from injection molded wood fibers, through to 3d Printing products with recycled plastic filament.
→ And how do you define your design practice?
As a designer, I aim to merge simplicity and craft with purpose.
The ‘purpose’ element is naturally rooted in creating better solutions for people and the planet, while the search for craft and simplicity are the fundamental drivers that help refine my design work.
These three elements are clear in my Doppia Vessel, and the Evolve Chair - both have simple yet graphical forms that are intuitive to use, and are carefully crafted by hand or machine from recyclable and recyclable materials.
→ Is there an achievement that symbolizes your professional debut?
I guess the main achievement, at this stage, is more work. I think it was Rolf Sachs who quoted that ‘the reward for good work is more work’. More notably, following the launch of my Evolve Chair at EDIT Napoli, I won a Wallpaper* Design Award and a nomination for Seating Design of the Year at the Dezeen Awards.
I think people took notice of this project because it’s one of the first instances where a waste material, in this case recycled E-waste plastic, had been crafted using furniture carpentry techniques, and therefore with the same care and precision as ‘natural’ materials such as timber, glass or stone.
→ Where do you get your inspiration from?
For me inspiration comes in many forms, and is therefore always easy to find - the challenge is knowing where to apply these inspiring things I see on the street, on a train or just simply by observing people around the home. These observations are either intentionally sought out during the research phases of a project, or organically outside of a project, in which case I’ll work them up in sketch + model form in the studio, to log or develop later.
→ And what were your inspirations for the "Doppia" project?
The Doppia Vessel was a self-initiated project, originally inspired by the many ways we use the same object, but for different unintended tasks. I saw that my girlfriend was using the same glass carafe to pour water, to display flowers and to water plants around our apartment. From this, the idea of a multi-use vessel was born - it seemed like the idea could take advantage of recent technological developments in 3D printing and the material properties of recycled plastic filaments.
→ What is the project you are currently working on the most?
Recently, I have just finished the design and install of 2 x 4m long meeting tables for a London-client, as part of a furniture design commission. Excitingly, the Doppia Vessel is now available to buy online, via my website - a lot of work has gone into the product, the development and making sure the fulfillment works smoothly. Going forward, I will be revealing a new project designed in collaboration with the brilliant team at Panasonic, and have more product and furniture projects in development - a busy year.
Further info |
In this interview, we delve into the creative mind of designer Tom Robinson, who lives between London and Paris and specializes in the use of low-impact materials.
→ Hi Tom, can you introduce yourself?
I am an independent designer, living in London and Paris. I create products, furniture and spaces for a range of clients, specializing in natural and low-impact materials.
Having worked for leading design + architecture studios in London, I chose to start my independent practice in 2021. This allows me to work with new people, makers and materials that interest me personally.
Currently, my work focuses on bringing better and alternative material solutions into our daily lives, such as creating durable cutlery from injection molded wood fibers, through to 3d Printing products with recycled plastic filament.
→ And how do you define your design practice?
As a designer, I aim to merge simplicity and craft with purpose.
The ‘purpose’ element is naturally rooted in creating better solutions for people and the planet, while the search for craft and simplicity are the fundamental drivers that help refine my design work.
These three elements are clear in my Doppia Vessel, and the Evolve Chair - both have simple yet graphical forms that are intuitive to use, and are carefully crafted by hand or machine from recyclable and recyclable materials.
→ Is there an achievement that symbolizes your professional debut?
I guess the main achievement, at this stage, is more work. I think it was Rolf Sachs who quoted that ‘the reward for good work is more work’. More notably, following the launch of my Evolve Chair at EDIT Napoli, I won a Wallpaper* Design Award and a nomination for Seating Design of the Year at the Dezeen Awards.
I think people took notice of this project because it’s one of the first instances where a waste material, in this case recycled E-waste plastic, had been crafted using furniture carpentry techniques, and therefore with the same care and precision as ‘natural’ materials such as timber, glass or stone.
→ Where do you get your inspiration from?
For me inspiration comes in many forms, and is therefore always easy to find - the challenge is knowing where to apply these inspiring things I see on the street, on a train or just simply by observing people around the home. These observations are either intentionally sought out during the research phases of a project, or organically outside of a project, in which case I’ll work them up in sketch + model form in the studio, to log or develop later.
→ And what were your inspirations for the "Doppia" project?
The Doppia Vessel was a self-initiated project, originally inspired by the many ways we use the same object, but for different unintended tasks. I saw that my girlfriend was using the same glass carafe to pour water, to display flowers and to water plants around our apartment. From this, the idea of a multi-use vessel was born - it seemed like the idea could take advantage of recent technological developments in 3D printing and the material properties of recycled plastic filaments.
→ What is the project you are currently working on the most?
Recently, I have just finished the design and install of 2 x 4m long meeting tables for a London-client, as part of a furniture design commission. Excitingly, the Doppia Vessel is now available to buy online, via my website - a lot of work has gone into the product, the development and making sure the fulfillment works smoothly. Going forward, I will be revealing a new project designed in collaboration with the brilliant team at Panasonic, and have more product and furniture projects in development - a busy year.
Further info |