As part of Design Connections 10x10 2019, we spoke with multidisciplinary artist/designer, Yinka Ilori whose colour-led objects and spaces are created with story-telling in mind.

Tell us about yourself 

I am a London based multidisciplinary artist/designer who loves telling stories through objects and in public spaces.

What are you working on at the moment?

I am currently working on a few exciting public realm projects which will be launching next year 2020. I can’t disclose any more information at this point due to NDA’s but what I can say is the projects are taking place in France, Amsterdam and Nigeria. The projects are all dream projects so can’t wait to share them with the world.

What key issues are you addressing with your work?

The key issue I am interested in my work is inclusivity/diversity and making sure everyone can have access to design, talk about design and feel like they can connect with design, not only in public spaces and in galleries. Design can be an ignite new conversations and give new voices a chance to be heard, so it’s not only responsibility and responsibility of many other designers to make sure we create work that people can connect with.

Tell us about something you’ve worked on that’s made you feel proud. 

A project that I am super proud of is called Happy Street in Battersea, my first permanent public realm project. Happy Street was a commission I won last year. The commission was run by the London Festival of Architecture and Wandsworth Council. I had the opportunity of redesigning the Thessaly Road Bridge underpass and honestly this was dream a project. Seeing how the local community and young children walk under the bridge with happiness always put a smile on my face. This project wasn’t about me but about the community and giving them a sense of belonging.