We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative David Collins ("DC").
David Collins is the founder of Luke & Lucy which is located in Portland, Oregon and family owned. Luke & Lucy's passion lies in questioning how products are used on an everyday basis. We look at form and function and how that plays on the basic human senses. This inspires the curiosity to look at things in a different way. With every project we strive to reach the intersection of better functionality and innovative design.
David Collins Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by David Collins.
Designer Interview of David Collins:
DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
DC : I always thought that I wanted to be a graphic designer until I took an Industrial Design course at university. I quickly changed my major and never looked back.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
DC : We are a family run business located in Portland, OR, USA. We are at the starting point really of creating our line of products, first being The Channel Bowl. We are definitely focused on looking at everyday objects to see how they can be improved.
DI: What is "design" for you?
DC : Typically I see design as problem solving to either simplify an experience or provide better use to the user. I also like seeing products on the market that bring humor into our everyday.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
DC : Simple everyday use objects.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
DC : As this is my first product since creating Luke & Lucy I would have to say The Channel Bowl. I do have a list of many to come but am trying to stay focused on one at a time.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
DC : A frying pan
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
DC : I like the tradition materials that are usually associated with craft, Ceramic, Glass, wood etc.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
DC : When I'm relaxed and in good company.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
DC : I am very detail orientated and often times need a push to release the design to print or get a prototype made.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
DC : Often I feel a sense of eagerness to figure out the problem to the solution I have set myself. Once I feel like I have solved it and the design moves on it is still hard for me to convince myself that that was the best design that I could've done. I often check the initial design intent against what was produced to see how far it has strayed 9 typically due to production limitations).
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
DC : I appreciate the acknowledgement but still imagine how it could've been better.
DI: What makes a design successful?
DC : If it can make like better. Even for a single user.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
DC : It's value to a user.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
DC : I feel that ethically sourcing production and material is a good start. I also hope to design products that are looked at more as longer term investments than short lived usage.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
DC : I'm excited by what I see in the design field today. I feel that many designers are going alone and taking risks whilst doing a great job balancing, marketing, design, production, and customer relations. All while being ethically grounded.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
DC : Seeing someone struggle to use a product or questioning how products that I am using could be better.
DI: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
DC : I try to keep my designs simple, minimal, and hopefully let them speak for themselves. In the case of The Channel bowl it was definitely a case of allowing form to follow function whilst balancing production capabilities and overall aesthetic.
DI: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
DC : I'm from the UK but live in Portland, OR, USA. Definitely being in Portland helped fuel me to make my product. It is definitely a maker city.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
DC : After sketching a concept I like to research if anything close to it exists. I will buy samples of products in it's category and compare features and values. If I feel my design brings value I will bring the concept into 2d then 3d (printing both) evaluate, tweak, print then source the manufacturing. If there are challenges with production I will brainstorm ways to produce my intent and tweak the design if needed.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
DC : Usually I critique the design in terms of it I would buy it or if others would find it usefull
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
DC : Sketchbook, Illustrator, Rhino, Solidworks, Sub D, Keyshot.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
DC : I try to push it when I'm feeling it and not when I'm not
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
DC : It definitely varies per product.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
DC : Evolving new ideas through thumbnail sketches in my sketchbook.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
DC : Expand the line whilst maintaining the same design principles.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
DC : I constantly run my ideas past designer colleagues as well as friends.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
DC : I'm working on a kids version of The Channel Bowl, coming soon.
DI: How can people contact you?
DC : dave@lukeandlucy.com