21 September 2014
To support the members of the Maker Library Network in their development and offer critical debate of their work, librarians share access to a pool of inspirational expert mentors.
During London Design Festival 2014, Maker Librarians from the UK and South Africa gathered at Maker Library Machines Room for the first Maker Library Network think-tank. Together with the project core team, they shared their successes and challenges, brainstorming possible improvements for the future of the programme. They later met some of the London mentors for an informal celebration.
We caught up with three of the mentors and asked them three questions about what they were currently making, showing and reading.
Oscar Diaz
After a stint designing furniture in Japan, product designer Oscar Diaz returned to London where his work covers a broad spectrum of contexts from installations and limited edition pieces for galleries, to mass-produced items. Simple yet playful, his work is often multifaceted, transforming the ordinary by challenging conventions. His current studio approach is practical, hands-on, and collaborative. He interprets design as an iterative process.
MAKE: What do you make and what’s the ideal medium of choice?
We make models, lots of them, in different materials from cardboard to SLA resin.
SHOW: Are you showing work at the London Design Festival? And also tell us what’s the best thing you’ve seen this week?
We’re not showing this year. I haven’t seen much yet, planning to start this weekend!
READ: What are you reading right now? What has been your most inspirational book?
I am reading In Praise of Shadow by Junichiro Tanizaki. And always found Designing Design by Kenya Hara to be inspirational.
Tord Boontje
An early advocate of open-design, Tord Boontje’s Rough-and-Ready series was an experiment in DIY low-cost furniture. At the forefront of the decorative design renaissance and known for a hands-on experimental approach, Boontje’s practice ranges from social issues to new technologies and design education. His work can be found in major collections such as the V&A, the Design Museum and Tate Modern in London and MoMA and Copper-Hewitt museum in New York.
MAKE: What do you make and what’s the ideal medium of choice?
I’m making a fox and a badger mask in paper at the moment. These I will hang on a wooden wall in my studio, behind which I’m projecting a video. The eyes of the masks will become the peep holes through which you can see a short film about my new Enchanted Forest collection.
SHOW: Are you showing work at the London Design Festival? And also tell us what’s the best thing you’ve seen this week?
I’m showing the Enchanted Forest in my studio, this is a chandelier, small tables and wooden chairs. We are also launching my new light with Habitat, this is the Bouquet Light and is my first new design with them since the Garland Light. With Moroso we are showing the new prototypes of a sofa and table, that was also in Milan. We added overdosed cushions with a passion fruit and bramble pattern.
READ: What are you reading right now? What has been your most inspirational book?
I’m re-reading Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder: The history of philosophy explained to a 14 year-old. This is probably one of the most inspiring books for me.
Bethany Koby
Bethany Koby is a designer, art director, and artist creating brands, businesses, and experiences to help imagine a more positive and collaborative future. Currently based in London, she divides her time between serving as Design Director at Wolff Olins and Technology Will Save Us, the company she co-founded with Daniel Hirschmann. Together, they are on a mission to help anyone become a maker of technology. Through their DIY kits and resources, Technology Will Save Us teaches essential making skills and creative thinking in an accessible manner. They produce their kits in their factory in east London.
MAKE: What do you make and what’s the ideal medium of choice?
I make DIY technology.
SHOW: Are you showing work at the London Design Festival? And also tell us what’s the best thing you’ve seen this week?
Make a Speaker with Saturday Market Project and Technology Will Save Us.
READ: What are you reading right now? What has been your most inspirational book?
I’m currently reading Amplify by Reid Hoffman and Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg.