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Interview with Robin Greene |
Home > Designer Interviews > Robin Greene |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Robin Greene (RG) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Robin Greene by clicking here.
FS: 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?
RG: I originally graduated from the Royal College of Art in Menswear design. Spending a successful career at Head of Design level for various fashion brands, my passion for art and interiors started to dominate my focus over six years ago. I now work exclusively as both an art consultant for interior design firms, and a design studio creating bespoke artworks and installations for luxury interior spaces. My background in developing fashion collections, print, graphics and textile design has enabled my transfer a unique set of design skills into this new market.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
RG: My company focuses in two areas. First to create artworks and bespoke design installations for high-end interior design firms in the hospitality, residential and corporate markets globally. Secondly, I act as an art consultant for the luxury hospitality market, procuring and creating existing and commissioned contemporary artworks in painting, sculptures, prints, photography and site specific installations.
FS: What is "design" for you?
RG: My work explores the relationship between art and design. I understand that design has a more functional connotation, and that art consist of aesthetic and social commentary.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
RG: I like briefs that are challenging and provide an opportunity to create something unique but also commercially relevant. 2D & 3D artworks and installations with scale.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
RG: It is a 4 x 4 meter contemporary interpretation of a traditional wall handing tapestry. I was commissioned to create an installation for a luxury residence in London, based on the surrounding park life of the residence. Once the artwork was completed, I had it digitally printed onto cotton velvet and hand embroidered in India. The scale of this embroidery work has rarely been attempted and created many challenges. It took over 7 months to complete.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
RG: A printed scarf collection for Liberty, London.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
RG: I don’t have a specific favourite. I currently love exploring new ways to print, in particular the development of new materials for 3D printing.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
RG: I feel most creative first thing in the morning, and when I have made space in my day to block out all the noise of running a company I have time to think.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
RG: The spark of an idea can happen in a second. Working out how to make it takes 99% of the time. This is always my focus.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
RG: Excitement and trepidation
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
RG: A moment of true happiness followed by thoughts of how it could be done better for next time
FS: What makes a design successful?
RG: Where it answers the brief and looks amazing.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
RG: Does the design answer the brief. Does it work efficiently and concisely. Does it consider the environment. Does it look fantastic. Does it make the viewer think beyond the artwork, and draw an emotional response.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
RG: A designer must always be working out how to improve the lives of those around on a social, aesthetic and environmental level. A designer by nature is constantly questioning how something can be done better.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
RG: From my personal professional perspective, the nature of art and installations within interiors and hotels is becoming more bespoke and commission based. The ability to create something site specific has become very important.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
RG: I had four large works permanently installed at The Grove Hotel, Hertfordshire, at the end of 2016. My next exhibition has yet to be decided.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
RG: My inspirations come from many sources. Textile design, post war contemporary art, design engineering etc. It can be from anywhere or anyone that pushes boundaries and inspires.
FS: 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?
RG: Currently I am exploring how to represent a 2D visual through the combination of different materials and techniques that you not normally see together. I also explore how to re-contextualise fashion and textile techniques into art for interior spaces. The development of the technique and how that works is central to the artwork itself.
FS: 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?
RG: I live in North London. The city has a positive effect creatively and inspires ambition. There are many designers and artists living in London to work with and be inspired by. The drawback of London is the cost of property space. This can stifle creating art on a large scale.
FS: How do you work with companies?
RG: The process is always the same. I must first work out what the client wants, and what the client wants for their customer. I research exhaustively to see every angle. Aside for the pitches, presentations and critical path development of a project, I always aim to finish the project with something better that the original expectation.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
RG: Fit the brief to the correct designer.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
RG: IWC watch. Fornasetti Sugar bowl. Leica Camera, Vintage Knoll armchair. A laser projected keyboard.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
RG: To varied! In the office by 7.30-8am. Currently working on two pitches which means a lot of researching new materials and techniques. Developing a new collection of artworks which also means more research and exploration.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
RG: The world always needs great new designers. If you believe you have talent and intelligence, follow your dream. Think carefully however, at the beginning of your career, if the area of art and design is the correct path for you, or if your talents lay in a different design market.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
RG: Always answer the brief. Always think beauty.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
RG: I always choose tools to fit the brief. CAD is always used. I have a portfolio of designers and fabricators that I go to for complex projects.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
RG: Time management is the biggest challenge. Planning is key. If you don't keep to your own deadlines you're in trouble. If you are your own boss no-one will be there to watch over you.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
RG: Can be anything from 1 month to nearly a year.
FS: What was your most important job experience?
RG: The first job out of college. It is a quicker education experience that anything college provides you with.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
RG: The Langham Hotel, The Grove Hotel, The Athenaeum Hotel, The Cosmopolitan Hotel
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
RG: To grow my business internationally and develop my own personal artwork collection
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
RG: I develop my designs either by myself or with a design company specific to the brief.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
RG: I can’t discuss due to NDA’s.
FS: How can people contact you?
RG: robin@robingreene.com | Mobile: +44 (0) 7976 869 461
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A’ Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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