I met Felicity Dessewffy at 100{ff546b69e23b1524d799f96c6ba7a638e1f677053b0a2a1568b05315fd5f8fc7} Design – she’d flown all the way over from Australia to take part, so it was a real treat to meet her in person and to discuss her childhood dreams, her inspirations and her favourite colour…
When you were five years old, what did you want to be when you grew up? And now?!
When I was five I knew I just wanted to make things – models, food, jewellery, fortresses, architecture, and I guess that has never changed!
What inspires your designs?
My design inspirations can come from anywhere: my surroundings, conversations, books, nature, anything can spark an idea which leads to a new design solution.
Talk me through your design process – how do you get from initial idea to final product?
Each design starts with a spark, an idea or inspiration that informs the piece or collection. From that point piles of sketches build up, maquettes are made and remade, rough full-scale models are built and shiny renders are created. Discussions are had with others to flesh out ideas, uncovering new aspects of the design. Then the workshop springs to life: scrap material transforms into rough prototypes, the hands do the thinking for further amendments, until the leap to final materials is made and the piece is left to speak for itself.
What do you do to overcome creative block?
To overcome a creative block I find that going for a walk to clear my head or discussing the issue with someone is usually the best way forward. If all else fails I turn to my passion for cooking and end up making notes or sketches while making a meal.
Describe a really good day and a really bad day at work in the life of Felicity Dessewffy.
A really good day is filled with inspiration, good conversation and music. A bad day is discovering that someone has already produced your “really great” idea and you have to go back to the drawing board.
What does it mean to you to be part of the London Design Festival?
Being part of the London Design Festival enables me to meet others in the industry, introduce my work to the market and best of all to get to see all the other great work that is out there.
What are you most excited about?
I am most excited about seeing what new work has been produced by some amazing designers.
Did you get to see much apart from your own stand?! What was the best thing you saw?
I had some time to explore the exhibition and visit other shows on the Sunday and one of my favourite stands at 100{ff546b69e23b1524d799f96c6ba7a638e1f677053b0a2a1568b05315fd5f8fc7} Design was the 3D printing stand.
What is good design?
For me good design has to have a number of elements: it must perform its function well, be of good quality, consider its environmental impact, be innovative and of course it must have an aesthetic that is beautiful.
What advice would you give to an aspiring designer?
Believe in what you do and don’t compare yourself to others.
And finally, what’s your favourite colour?
Yellow.
Further reading for the especially geeky:
- interviews :: ilse crawford (pt 2)
- interview :: michael anastassiades
- interview :: the living furniture project
- interview :: stolen form
