Melbourne has produced many exciting creatives, why do
you think this is? And how do our creatives stack up against
international global designers?
Melbourne has a distinct creative energy — open, collaborative,
and unafraid to take risks. There’s a spirit of experimentation
here
that
fosters
originality
and
pushes
boundaries.
Australian designers bring a fresh and often unconventional
perspective. There’s a confidence and resourcefulness in
the work that absolutely holds its own and, in my opinion,
particularly in lighting, increasingly leads on the global stage.
Known for championing collaboration, your studio has
partnered with some of the industry’s most exciting
creatives, including Flack Studio. Why are partnerships like
these so valuable to your process, and are there any new
drops on the horizon?
Absolutely. Collaborations are integral to our practice.
Working with Flack Studio on the Me and You collection was
a particularly memorable experience. It brought together
our technical knowledge and their spatial design expertise
to create pieces that balance artistic form with functionality.
We’d work with them again in a heartbeat — in fact, we’re
planning to expand on Me and You soon. Opportunities like
this allow us to broaden our creative thinking, gain new
perspectives, and bring fresh energy into the studio. If the right
collaboration comes along, we’re always open to exploring it.
What’s something in your studio or home that has nothing
to do with lighting but tells us everything about your taste?
I’m obsessed with West German ceramics. Their bold colours,
striking shapes, and unusual patterns never fail to excite
me. While many styles exist, I’m drawn to the rare, more
unusual pieces, they’re the ones I hunt for at flea markets
and vintage shops, both locally and abroad. You can’t miss
them in my home, though I’ll admit, they’re not for everyone.
Is there a tool in your studio that’s completely irreplaceable?
An unusual but essential tool from years past was the
customised Lazy Susan, used to create a perfect guideline
radius for our designs. Imagine an oversized light bulb fixed
at its centre, slowly spinning. A metal ruler, with a thin marker
taped to it, traced a perfect guideline around the globe.
MEET THE MAKER
Photography Annika Kafcaloudis
16 | InFocus Spring