We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Maurice Lacy ("ML").
Maurice Lacy Designs IVS is a new company, which aims to change the face of outdoor living through invention and an innovative approach to outdoor furniture. Practicality and durability are at the heart of each design. The company seeks to bring the ease of use and comfort of indoor furniture to the outdoors, and challenge the mass-produced, throwaway mentality commonly associated with outdoor furniture.
Maurice Lacy Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Maurice Lacy.
Designer Interview of Maurice Lacy:
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?
ML : Maurice lacy Designs is a startup company and less than a month old. Because much of my time has been spent in different countries, I have wanted to bring a number of ideas and cultural influences together. My interests started as a young child and I was fortunate enough to have had the tools at my disposal. From childhood I started building all kinds of projects in my fathers workshop. At school I loved art and craft, music and all things creative. Many of my skills were self taught outside of the classroom and was always curious about how things worked. All my siblings are also very creative and so we inspired each other. I just enjoy the process of practical problem solving and beautiful soft flowing shapes.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
ML : The company is new as I have said and the few pieces i have prototyped now are the first of a collection I’m planning to bring out soon. I’m not young but this is an old dream I wish to pursue. We never stop learning and of course I wish to leave a mark. My plan is to bring in other designer friends and create a kind of international team.
DI: What is "design" for you?
ML : Design is invention. True design is the artistry of making the world a better and more comfortable place. It’s about stirring good emotions and challenging us to solve problems not create them. The people I admire are for example, Antoni Gaudi because he defied the conventional perimeters of symmetrical thinking with such elegance and grace, or Frank Lloyd Wright who could beautifully colour minimalist design with splashes of organic intricacy. In furniture, I like my ex-wifes Danish uncle Verner Panton because of his ability to create flowing shapes without overlooking the physical comfort with simple elegance. He was a great example of a designer who would lead trends and not follow them with flowing shapes and sense of colour.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
ML : I’m by no means a prolific designer and with me I don’t want to be confined by any field in particular. My inspiration comes from seeing a need or problem to be solved and then working within the confines of practical possibilities when creating the visual appearance. In furniture I love things that flow and curve and that satisfy all possible the senses.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
ML : This is a difficult question to answer because there are so many great designers, past and present, and the best designers don’t follow trends but direct them because they have the ability see outside the box.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
ML : The Seychelles sofa is my first project for this company as it is a new company, but I have many other pieces I wish to bring to fruition as it grows, but not all of my designs are just furniture. I picked that particular piece because I was able to get patent protection on it, and so it is a good place to start.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
ML : Normally I love working with timber as much of my formal training was in cabinetry.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
ML : I’m most creative late at night when the world is quietly sleeping.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
ML : Function first and aesthetics as the idea develops
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
ML : Excitement and an almost meditative peace at the same time. I go to my own private space and time drifts away.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
ML : Of course I feel a sense of achievement and also an apprehension of how it will be received because like writing a song it reveals something of myself.
DI: What makes a design successful?
ML : Ticking all the boxes. Style, comfort, touch and practicality.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
ML : Does it satisfy the purpose for which it was created and is it beautiful.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
ML : Whatever we design we have to challenge ourselves and question our personal integrity, regardless of what popular business culture may be. Consumerism can to often encourage unethical practices which impact the environment and an honest respect for the fulfilment of customer expectations.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
ML : Design is part of evolution no matter how we look at it, and will march on for as long as man walks the planet. We just need to learn more about moral restraint so man and animal don't stop walking the planet before their time.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
ML : My new company has yet to have it’s first official exhibition however I did have it on display at the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam furniture Expo in march 2018.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
ML : The design and sources of inspiration came from seeing a need to be filled.
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?
ML : Describing my design style is easy. I like soft flowing curves
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?
ML : I'm from Australia, but have lived between there Vietnam and Denmark. Having lived in all 3 countries I feel inspired by the different influences and certainly not constrained in anyway.
DI: How do you work with companies?
ML : As I have stated this is a new company and I am open to any good opportunity to get my designs out there.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
ML : Keep your minds open with the foresight to see what the difference between long term and short term gain. If a company has a creative foresight all the better and they will see a good designer the moment they view the work.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
ML : Believe in yourself and don't give up. Take on board criticism but don't let the dream thieves steel your confidence.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
ML : It's a hard road designing and there is so much amazing talent that can at times overwhelm you. Try to develop an individual approach and be prepared for the downs. The difference between failure and success can be in the giving up.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
ML : Persistance
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
ML : Hands on in construction of designs. Being able to visualise and a good understanding of geometry.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
ML : I’m old school and i like to sketch and use the old fashion technical drawing board. For creative inspiration I look at books and the amazing shapes we find in nature
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
ML : Managing time is difficult but you need to take short breaks. Sitting and staring at a screen or drawing board for long periods is exhausting. I can often struggle for hours over a detail, but then a when I get up and take a walk the solution can come in just a few minutes.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
ML : It depends on what it is. It can be a day or years depending on the complexity and light bulb moments.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
ML : Designing a music bar in Melbourne Australia. Everthing had to work perfectly including the acoustics. Having once worked as a musician and recording studio owner I understood the importance of good sound which is the one thing interior designers often are unaware of.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
ML : As stated previously this is a new company less than 1 month old.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
ML : I like being hands on with making things an the creative process in general. Music, furniture and interior design.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
ML : I now plan to prototype more furniture plus a building product I have thought about for many years.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
ML : I like to initially design by myself but would love to have a team and a creative soul mate.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
ML : I have quite a number of things in progress but I first want to break into the maket by what ever means before i give away too many secrets.
DI: How can people contact you?
ML : mauricelacy@hotmail.com mauricelacydesigns@gmail.com