Roland Smith

MEET THE MAKER

A furniture maker who is looking for new ideas, especially interested in learning how to bring digital fabrication into my work. Was very keen also to work with other people on something.

What is your feedback on the Programme?

Some of the “masterclasses” were very interesting, some less so, but I’m not sure if I would describe any of them as “masterclasses”. I would expect to learn something about how to do it myself if it were, which I don’t think I did. Some of them were quite inspiring tho. I did not get to do the most important bit as I was not accepted for the Steamhouse part, so I am currently left having to work out how to do it all alone, which has left me very disheartened with the whole thing. I did not feel that anyone was very forthcoming with ideas, or at least not to me. Perhaps because I suggested an idea myself they thought I would not be interested in their ideas, which was definitely not the case.

Five top tips you can offer others from your experience

1. Ideally, do it with someone who you can meet in person.
2. Don’t be relying on acceptance by some third party to be allowed to actually collaborate.
3. I would suggest that if iAtelier happens again, insist that everyone puts forward one or two ideas that everyone else can comment on and express their interest or otherwise.