As regular readers will be aware, I’m a big believer in design that makes people’s lives better. Sometimes this can be something as simple as a gorgeous cushion that makes you smile every time you see it, but sometimes design can change your life. What Motion is doing falls firmly into the latter category, so I was keen to interview founders James Taylor and Ed Warner to find out more.
James suffered a spinal cord injury while diving on holiday in Portugal in 2005. After eight months of rehabilitation at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, he returned to his Battersea home to find it had been changed beyond all recognition to accommodate his new needs. The products installed were ugly, and worse still, far from prioritising function over form, many of them didn’t actually help him at all, following a one size fits all philosophy.
Close friend Ed Warner offered to help James find something better, but after doing his own research, found the market offered little choice, poor advice, condescending customer service, unclear pricing and bad design. Refusing to admit defeat and seeing a gap in the market, Ed left his job and with the help of James and James’s wife Katherine, Motion was born. Four months later, Motion has just installed a gorgeous and accessible wet room for Scott Blaney, a wounded Grenadier Guard who could no longer use his bath having losing a leg on the front line.
James, your injury must have profoundly changed the way you interact with many designed objects. What were the most surprising frustrations?
James: I found various aspects very frustrating, but the change was most noticeable with the things I use everyday. For example tables, light switches and basins had to be at a specific height and doorways the right width.
Can you remember how you felt when you saw your flat for the first time after it had been adapted for your new needs?
J: Yes, and it was not a good feeling! It made me feel that I had been forced into compromising on so many levels. Firstly, there were products that I now had to use and those products brought with them very little choice and lots of ugly and grey. Secondly, I felt that my home had aged me by about 50 years. And thirdly, it was not changed to suit my style or the homely feel I so craved and needed at that time.
How does it look now? Better I hope?! How does it make you feel now?
J: Yes, thankfully it is better now, however, it has taken a number of years and lots of trial and error to find solutions and products that work for me and look good. But it finally feels like I live in a home rather than a hospital.
Where would say you sit on the form vs function debate when it comes to design?
J: Design is about form and function; and both should be attainable for everybody, regardless of their individual needs. I have compromised so much since my accident, so why should I have to face another compromise when it comes to furniture and everyday items?
What defines good design?
J: Something that is simple, functional and stylish.
What are you most proud of?
J: Overcoming day to day challenges that I had previously taken for granted
Ed, how did you feel when, having offered to help James find better solutions, you came up against the same issues?
Ed: I found it hugely frustrating. I couldn’t understand why there was so little choice on offer after James’s accident and yet ample choice before.
Giving up your job to pursue the solution was quite a bold move – what motivated you? What gave you the confidence that Motion would be successful?
E: I’ve always been passionate about great design. I had several conversations with James and with people in a similar situation and universally they said that they felt something was missing from the sector which inspired me to find the solution, and I firmly believe that Motion can offer the best solution for beautiful accessible design.
Motion offers occupational therapy assessments as part of the service – why is this important?
E: So much equipment in the industry is recommended wrongly and doesn’t meet the needs of the user. We’ve established a partnership with The OT Practice, a highly renowned nationwide team of occupational therapists with a reputation for delivering solutions which not only fully meet the needs of the client but are also sensitive to their style preferences and the character of their property, too. This means our clients receive the best qualified advice before making a purchase and no time or money is wasted correcting unsuitable adaptations.
What do you think defines good design?
E: Simplicity with universal appeal. The shower tray we’ve fitted in Scott’s wet room is a great example of good universal design. It’s a beautiful slate finish and fits flush with the floor, but is actually slip-resistant and soft underfoot as well as being completely wheelchair accessible.
What are you most proud of?
E: I’m most proud of the fact that in the space of four months we’ve built a business which is already beginning to make changes and provide people with the choice that’s been missing for a long time.
How will Scott’s new wet room change his life for the better?
E: Scott’s new wet room will enable him to be independent in the bathroom and reduce the number of caring hours for his girlfriend, Amy. For both Scott and Amy, having an accessible wet room which doesn’t feel like a hospital or care home will certainly lift the mood and feel of the house, improving cognitive wellness and quality of life at home.
What advice would you give to someone specifying an accessible bathroom for the first time?
E: I’d recommend investigating every option available, establishing a budget, and ensuring that an occupational therapist has assessed your needs and discussed your requirements and preferences with you. Pick up the phone to the Motion team who will help to provide accessible products that look and feel great, and if necessary organise installation for you.
What are your plans for the future of Motion?
We’ll continue to provide solutions for individuals in the home, both in the bathroom and across the home and garden. We’re now looking into specifying and improving public spaces, for example care homes, hospitals and hotels and hope eventually to work with the right partner to deliver accessible solutions internationally.
Further reading for the especially geeky:
That’s a great article Katie. I hadn’t heard of Motion before but pleased to see good design being put towards a purpose that needs it. All to often, it doesn’t get the coverage that it should but I love reading about the effects it has on people’s lives.