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Interview with Dave Colliver |
Home > Designer Interviews > Dave Colliver |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Dave Colliver (DC) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Dave Colliver by clicking here.
FS: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
DC: For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated by how things work and been drawn to aesthetically pleasing things. It was a natural progression for me to follow this passion through my education but from there my career path took me on a very extensive apprenticeship through industrial design, sales & marketing, manufacturing, quality, production engineering, Lean & continuous improvement and business management. This has been a long but valuable education, one that left me eager to re-enter the design world and apply the lessons learned. Here are the first results.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
DC: I’m a one man band with a great number of local Australian contacts and resources that I can call on. I am keen to keep focusing on non-commissioned works where I can give attention to the areas I see most important in my chosen markets.
FS: What is "design" for you?
DC: Design for me has always been about using inherent forms, properties and forces to their utmost, in the simplest form possible, to achieve interesting outcomes. It’s not about making things happen – it’s about removing the barriers so they can just happen the way they are meant to, physically and emotionally.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
DC: I love designs that focus on the simple things, transforming activities we often take for granted into experiences that we can take pleasure in. Ideally there will be visual, tactile and mechanical elements with an appreciation that can grow over time and endure. I’m more into lasting cherished experiences than an instant wow factor that fades.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
DC: This one – so far.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
DC: It’s not one that would impress someone in a bar conversation. It was a specimen container used for collecting biological samples for medical analysis. That was nearly thirty years ago and elements of the original design are still prominent in the current product. I’m very proud of that.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
DC: My imagination. But my observation too. I love seeing and hearing how people interact with and feel about products they want and use.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
DC: As a trigger for being creative, ideas come at the strangest times and in the strangest ways but generally not when trying to force it. As a result of being creative, in the early concept stages and when the end result works well. Everything else in between is a lot of hard work though with occasional moments of joy.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
DC: Once the concept is the right fit for the market and the resolution starts I ask “what can be done with less?” and “are there any elements that can be used to perform other functions?”
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
DC: The complete spectrum. The enjoyable moments are the ones that drive you and the frustrations that come with trial and error need perseverance and self-belief to get you through.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
DC: It’s strange. There is a great euphoria in that ah-ha moment but then there’s also awareness that it came about as part of a process, The solution was there all along and just needed to be filtered out from the noise.
FS: What makes a design successful?
DC: When people really want it and you have created a chance to make someone’s day.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
DC: It may sound strange but firstly, if it looks like it has been designed with a purpose.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
DC: I think to create something that endures in making peoples’ lives better.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
DC: I think technology is helping designers visualise and prototype more ideas faster which is great when you’re in a trial and error phase but I hope young designers also see the value in taking the time to really get a feel for a concept too. As for where design is heading. I think the great work of past designers in establishing the benefits of good design now means the consumer is more aware and will expect to have increasing input into what they get. Designers will need to interact with their chosen markets more intimately to truly understand them.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
DC: The greatest exhibition for me would be getting this design out to the world so people can enjoy it.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
DC: Inspiration comes from everywhere, without limits. If something generates a powerful emotion, it is a source of positive inspiration.
FS: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
DC: I tend to lean towards a minimalist style, at least in appearance. I like that designs which appear simple can have layers of interest that can continue to unfold and encourage a growing appreciation. I look at how someone uses a product over time and how their emotions may evolve.
FS: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
DC: I live in Australia and more specifically Adelaide. Our short heritage is one of resourcefulness and a desire for simple functionality which I do value a lot. It tends to encourage a no-nonsense pragmatism. Acceptance by the local market is often a result of products working well and lasting forever. What I have gained from travels through Europe is a greater appreciation of the emotional aspects of design.
FS: How do you work with companies?
DC: My broad experience definitely helps here. Having a good understanding of their needs and capabilities is important. I always choose companies with an appreciation for quality and I always deal with them face to face where possible.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
DC: Get to know who they are beyond just a few ticked boxes.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
DC: I tried mapping that out in specific terms once, and only once. It’s more useful to have a head full of knowledge and kit bag full of tools and possess the ability to adapt and apply the best of it as the need arises.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
DC: My Zippo lighter with the lifetime guarantee engraved in the case, Pilippe Stark Cantilevered watch, Sony Vaio laptop, Microsoft Arc Touch mouse and le Corbusier chase lounge.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
DC: There’s really no typical day.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
DC: Look around you at all things and ask what is it that makes you or others feel the way they do about it. Not just products or even visual things but natural things, music, food, whatever. Find what you can take from it that can be useful in your designs to create positive emotions.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
DC: Being able to pull ideas together to create something real and tangible is something that is hard to rival. The emotional ups and downs in the process of getting there can be quite challenging.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
DC: Get the basics right first.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
DC: Asking the right questions and listening to the answers.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
DC: A pencil and paper and Solidworks for the grunt work. I also have a collection of products that inspire me close by but inspiration can come from anywhere.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
DC: It’s a very flexible thing depending on where I’m at in the design process. There can be times when you just need to take a break to clear your head and there are also very late nights when you have ideas in your head that just need to be resolved. I think this is one of the things that differs between commissioned and non-commissioned works.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
DC: I’ll defer to the 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration cliché. More than you think when you start the process.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
DC: I can’t say anything really stands out in-particular.
FS: What was your most important job experience?
DC: Customer issue resolution and continuous improvement. These two roles have taught me many things to avoid in a design.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
DC: I’m only working on my own designs at this stage.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
DC: In a general sense, non-commissioned works. I like to think of the consumer as the ultimate client.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
DC: Firstly, manufacture the if… pen.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
DC: Despite lots of experience spanning from market research through design, manufacturing, sales and marketing, I always involve others throughout the design process as early and often as possible. Overall though, I still have ultimate control.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
DC: The first priority is getting the if.. pen to market. There are irons in the fire for future developments too. That’s enough to focus on for now.
FS: How can people contact you?
DC: By e-mail (dave_colliver@internode.on.net) first. I love a good face to face chat though, so if you’re ever in Adelaide, South Australia look me up.
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A’ Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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