Kirsty Whyte – Purewhyte Simplexity at 100% Design

Last month, as part of a preview post on the great exhibitors you can see at the 100% Design show, we highlighted the work of Kirsty Whyte from Purewhyte.  You can read the original post here: http://trendsblog.co.uk/?p=944

We were so excited about Kirsty’s fantastic Hound tables that we invited her to showcase more of her brilliant product design.

Today, in conversation with Victoria Redshaw, Kirsty Whyte gives you access to her product portfolio and sketchbooks….

VR: During your time in Sweden you studied under some exceptional glass designers.  What was the most important lesson you learnt during that time?

KW: In Sweden the designer’s relationship with manufacturers was quite different to what I had previously experienced. The development process was more organic and on a one-to-one level between the designer and glass blower. The designers like Monica Bäckström bring some scribbles on a page and the idea in their head, rather than sending off detailed drawings and waiting to see the glass blowers interpretation.  So I learnt to get really involved, using a hands-on approach wherever possible.  Now I always try to model my designs up and then meet with the manufacturer.  Understanding the characteristics of a material has allowed me to exploit it to its full potential.

GORDO LIGHTS

VR: Over the 4 years you spent at Habitat you ascended from Sales Assistant to Senior Account Manager….does the experience you gained at Habitat help you now in the running of your own business today?

KW: Yes, originally when I committed to Purewhyte full-time I felt like I was playing ‘catch up’, having missed out on being a designer for the previous four years. I soon discovered that this wasn’t the case and all my previous retail experience was invaluable.  I have a better understanding of commerciality and what a customer wants in a product, but I can also negotiate with manufacturers to sample a design.

VR: In December 2008, during a global economic downturn, you fearlessly started your own design brand – Pure Whyte.  What drove you to make this brave change to your career and life?

KW: I had been contemplating going it alone for quite some time and then I was given the opportunity (and it really felt like an opportunity) in December 2008, to take redundancy from my job; I thought “this is my chance to pursue my passion” so I went for it, with the encouragement from those around me who believed I could do it.

VR: Can you explain the philosophy behind your brand and the concept of ‘Simplexity’?

STUHL

KW: Simplexity is a term becoming more prominent, and published in books like “The Laws of Simplicity” by John Maeda, to “Simplexity” by Jeffrey Kluger, but I view it as ‘simplicity layered with complexity’, resulting in a pure design. I don’t want to add something to a design because I can, it needs to be there. For example once a design is finalised and I am happy with its core design I will then start to think about colour and pattern.

VR: You exhibited at Milan Furniture Fair earlier this year….was the show successful for you and do you plan to exhibit there next year?

KW: It was successful in that, it gave me a goal and a deadline to work towards, and the perfect opportunity to launch my debut collection. Initially I was hoping to meet retailers and manufacturers with the intention of licensing my designs. Due to the current financial climate there were very few of these visiting Designersblock, to my surprise the main interest came from editorial, architects and visitors who wanted to buy my products straight away.  This has taught me to be prepared for all interest in subsequent shows.

I’m in two minds about showing next year; in 2009 I only saw my 10 metre square space. Next year I’d quite like to be on the other side and experience all the shows Milan has to offer.

VR: Some of your furniture pieces appear to have a 50’s influence.  Are you an admirer of Eames and other designers prolific in the 1950’s?

KW: I haven’t intentionally focused on the 50’s, my aim is to produce modern design classics, not something which will be out of fashion the following season, so I think that follows a similar ethos to Eames, Jacobsen or John and Sylvia Reid. I do think in many areas, including design, people are beginning to appreciate vintage and classic design; which can only be a good thing.

VR: Your Drew Table & Coat Stand look as though they might have started life as a sketchbook doodle (without taking your pen off the page)…..do you keep a sketchbook and if so how crucial is your sketchbook work to the formulation of your design ideas?

KW: I find having a sketchbook is a great way to record my initial ideas; there are half filled sketchbooks all over the place and in every handbag! Generally they contain no more than an annotated scribble, recording my idea before I forget it and move onto the next one.

I then revisit my sketches and develop my ideas by model making.  The majority of the time I let the design develop in my head, as I slowly filter down to the best solutions, until the design comes out fully formed. Then I scale and tweak it accordingly in CAD, so other people can understand it.

VR: How important is Longevity to you and how does it inform your product design?

KW: I think longevity and sustainability have emerged as more important factors of good design.  I feel it is important to carefully consider what a product is made from and not just making it from a recycled material because you can. How long will it last, what is the carbon footprint to produce it etc …? I try to design a product with longevity, where the customer invests in the design and will then keep and enjoy it for many years.

VR: Your designs are produced by manufacturers in the UK…..what advice can you give other designers who are venturing into a relationship with a manufacturing company?

KW: It’s really important to do your research, I have spent many hours trawling the internet and chasing recommendations from fellow designers. Getting several quotes and gauging the manufacturer’s keenness as well as price. Getting a personal good working relationship is key; I always try to meet the manufacturers face to face whenever possible. Keeping good communications really helps if you need changes or things doing quickly and at a good price! I’ve been pretty lucky so far as a lot of British manufacturers don’t realise there is this untapped resource of designers needing to get small batches made, but once you do contact them they are always keen to help- I’ve even been picked up from train stations to be taken to factories by the owners!

VR: You are exhibiting at 100% Design – London in September (24^th – 27^th STAND H105)….what products will you be exhibiting?

KW: Yes for the London design festival I’ll be showing in two locations, 100% Futures and “The Dock” which is a new show including an emporium of creative talent instigated by Tom Dixon and sponsored by Derwent London ( www.portobellodock.com ).  So as well as the products launched at Milan: Drew Dining Table and Coat Stand, Gordo Pendant Lights and Hound Occasional Table, I will be showing, The Hound with a new colour and pattern, the Gordo table lamp, the Warp Wall Clock and the Limpet Wall Hook. The Limpet wall hook prototypes have been manufactured by the British company Ercol, using off cuts from their furniture production. So I will be keeping myself very busy in the build up over the next week or so!

VR: How did your involvement with Metropolitan Works and Hidden Art evolve and what are the projects about?

KW: I’m really lucky, to be based in East London and have these two resources right on my doorstep. Before leaving my job I tried to sign up to as many design networks as possible- so I wouldn’t feel cut off while working alone.

I’m currently participating in the Metropolitan works www.metropolitanworks.org  Business Needs Analysis, one to one program. Where I have received advice in how to plan for the future and what resources are currently available for me.  Hidden Art www.hiddenart.com/home  have regular networking events, which I always try to attend, and I’m also part of this year’s Hidden Polymers program, which is a series of sessions with various experts, promoting the use of Polymers. I’m currently working on an outdoor seating range made from recycled car tyres; I’m hoping to have prototypes by early 2010.

VR: What are your main aspirations for the future of Pure Whyte?

KW: I am so privileged that I have so many options of what to do next; I just need to decide! In the short term, I am hoping to gain some licensing agreements with manufacturers over the London design festival and at Maison et Objet, in January 2010. I would also like to gain more experience with other design companies and manufacturers, I will be looking for commissions and design briefs, to progress further. Designing is not a 9-5 job for me, I just think about it all the time and I hope I will have the opportunity to continue doing what I love full time.

In the long term I hope to have an established brand and design consultancy, if I remain as busy as I am now, I believe it will happen!

Visit the Purewhyte website to learn more about Kirsty Whyte’s work or to contact her with a view to licensing her product designs or design commissions:

www.pure-whyte.com

To read Kirsty’s blog visit:

http://purewhyte.blogspot.com

Visit the Purewhyte stand at 100% Design London in September (24^th – 27^th STAND H105).

To register for the show visit:

www.100percentdesign.co.uk

FINN

Leave a comment to tell us what you think about Kirsty’s designs and which of her products is your favourite. 

We just LOVE the Hound tables!