Last Friday, WeFew ended business earlier than usual. It was
the launch of Air Design Group's latest collection and we were eager to be there.
We reached Night & Day Bar + gallery + friends a little past seven and were
greeted by Nathan and Jerry at the door. I have been looking forward to this
ever since I received the invitation, so it was pretty exciting that I was finally able
to see the design pieces.
Apart from attending the show, we also had a chance to interview Air Design Group on their latest collection. I have always wondered what's up in the minds of these designers, so the ulterior motive of satisfying my own curiosity is present each time I do an interview. Then again, this is rather thrilling, so maybe we should do this more often!! Here is WeFew interview with Nathan and Jerry!
WeFew : Tell us about your latest collection.
ADG: There is a total of 9 items in this collection and we worked closely with a metal smith to produce these designs. The collection is based on memories of our past experiences with spaces and environment, like a lazy Sunday afternoon at old balconies, day dreaming or chatting with our grandmas about daily happenings...and these images or experiences are translated into the furniture, giving the collection a sense of story with a historical background, which is very personal to us but yet quite universal.
Nathan and Jerry's latest collection.
Does "grandson" reminds you of the days you spent with your grandparents?
WeFew: What do you feel is a key differentiator to your design style?
ADG: We would like to think that, our ability to balance things (kind of naturally) makes our design the way it is. There is a bit of something be it its influences, humour, realities, emotional, experience etc, and we balance it based on the appropriateness of contacts.
WeFew: Since the early 20th century, iconic furniture design has taken a minimalist approach, as does your current collection. Do you see this approach continuing for some time or do you envision a change in direction?
AGD: We think that because we were not brought up with a silver spoon and we are not vulgarly materialistic, our works (the technical side) tend to aspire to achieve more by having less (less material, less construction, less cost, less loud etc.) What we hope to do again is to balance both, bringing a sense of history & memories into the design (the emotional side), hence making the design clinically efficient yet emotionally engaging. Modernism does have the same idea of achieving the essence of things by minimising through intelligence but it can be de-humanising at times.
WeFew: Which of your works (in this collection or previous collection) do you want to be remembered as iconic and why?
AGD: We don’t know the meaning of ‘iconic’ in your context. But if we are talking about which is the one that we find have the most balance, it will be FOXHOLE.
Foxhole by Air Design Group.
WeFew: In terms of design, what is your favourite public space? Restaurants, shops, etc.
AGD: The old playground (circa 70s). Just pure, clean and simple intentions and it delivers that.
WeFew: Do you have your own works in your home?
AGD: Yes, but not all. There are lots of other designers’ works that we like too. We are not that narcissistic to have all our furniture designed by us. :)
WeFew: As design is a constant evolution, what triggers you to say ‘done’ and to move to production?
AGD: Just like everything else that is guided by universal truth: space, time and cost.
WeFew: What motivates you when you’re in the studio? A particular type of music? Advice you once received? A certain goal?
Nathan: I am motivated when I am not in the studio. So when I am outside, I can be motivated by everything, an image I saw, an experience I encounter, a memory I recall, a joke I heard.
Jerry: The studio is more about putting thoughts and discussion onto paper. I like to be opened to the surroundings that could maybe trigger any motivation...like a sunset.
WeFew: When you were first starting off on your own, who did you seek feedback from?
Nathan: My father
Jerry: My mother
WeFew: Is there any advice you would like to give our designers who are just starting out in their careers?
Nathan: Think strategically, patience and be nice.
Jerry: Be humble and respect criticism.
Pop by Night & Day Bar + gallery + friends from now till 3 June, 2008 to view Air Design Group latest Collection, "Designers-Cut".