Spotlight on Luke Pearson
Delve deeper into the mind of a designer with our interview with Luke Pearson.
A long-standing friend of the family, Luke Pearson along with his studio PearsonLloyd have been behind some of our favorites such as Curve, Famiglia, Folk, Kin, Open and Conic.
WE SAT DOWN WITH ONE OF THE CREATIVE MINDS BEHIND MANY PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE CLASSIC PIECES FOR ALLERMUIR.
You’ve designed just about everything from waste bins to aeroplane seats.
What is left? What do you want to accomplish in the coming years?
LP \ Electric transportation is on my mind presently. We generate an excess of electricity at night, which can be stored and utilized in the day. In general, we are becoming more concerned about the impact of what we produce. We are mindful in that we don’t design fast moving consumer goods and most of our products last a long time. I quite often see them posted on eBay now as collectible. However, we face a serious challenge here so going forwards quality and thoughtfulness are key. The bathroom sector is also an area we are beginning to work in, which is interesting as wellness increases in importance and it’s an area where good ideas and elegant solutions seem to go hand in hand.
What is the best piece of advice design or otherwise that you have ever been given?
LP \ Listen and be careful not to let confidence become arrogance. People are very fast to jump to conclusions, assume they understand something and so very often true understanding is hidden in the smallest detail. Keep looking there is more than one way to skin a cat.
What new materials and technologies interest you the most right now?
LP \ We are seeing a textile revolution although the synthetic aspect may have hidden problems due to micro fibers being washed into the sea eventually. On that note, we also see more and more natural fibers being made from plants previously not used or forgotten technologies and crafts being tested. This is being seen in plastics as well where fibers and other compounds are being added as structural fillers. In terms of technology, I’d have to say anything which is sustainable. More efficient processes using less energy. There is even talk of Aluminum mining reducing because there is so much in circulation we will soon be able to recycle only. I doubt this will happen, as I am sure the future cars will drop steel in favor of aluminum in a quest to reduce weight and therefore eke out more distance from new batteries.
Into which space would you most like to place an Allermuir piece?
LP \ Buckingham Palace.
Besides design, what are you passionate about?
LP \ Nature. It’s where most of my understanding of design comes from.
What do you think the most significant developments in furniture/product design have been in the last few years?
LP \ In terms of furniture, I’d have to say new typologies around workspace design. It’s what we have focused on over the last twenty years and it continues to change as technology liberates the user. In terms of product design, it’s clearly the internet of things. The ability to embed technology using super low amounts of energy will really change things. Data and what we do with it could radically improve efficiency and help us really understand user habits. We have to look at this positively because the alternative is rather dark. We are at a very interesting moment where technology on the one hand is liberating us and on the other proving to be a huge problem in that our consumption increases as we find new ways to make more things we may or may not need faster and cheaper. One day we will look back and ask why we ever thought ‘cheap’ was a good idea.
What makes you excited about Mondays?
LP \ The 'M'.
Is there any artists, designers or architects from the past that have influenced you or that you particularly appreciate the work of?
LP \ Iggy Pop, David Byrne, Steve Reich for music. Alexander Calder has been a great influence in terms of art and sculpture. His Circus was magical and watching him perform in old movies was a delight. My design hero’s are Jean Prouve and Achille Castiglioni, who both had a magical understanding of build and materials and put things together in poetic, non conformist ways.
In your opinion, what kind of design is good design?
LP \ That’s complex but I think we have to put sustainable high on that list. But beyond that, Design that has meaning, purpose, lasts and fills the user ultimately with pleasure. Beauty is often seen as a dirty word but it’s those items which we look after and seek out in flea markets isn’t it. It’s what we do as humans, shape the world around us beyond just function. It’s needed for the soul.
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