MEET THE MAKER
I am a designer and new media artist specialising in digital fabrication and interactive installations. With the aid of electronic components and digital manufacturing techniques, I like to create playful machines and devices. As well as using art to find answers, I invite the audience to ask questions, encouraging them to be curious. My aim is for them to rediscover the joy of playing and exploring – asking ‘How does this work?’ or ‘What is that made of?’ I applied to iAtelier as a new graduate. I really enjoyed the university workshop environment, where you could be working on your own projects but were able to discuss ideas, help each other out and just see what other people were coming up with. I always thought that being surrounded by people with their own specialisms in different areas – would make me question what I could do with my practice. If a textile designer saw what I was doing and started to see opportunities to extend his/her work – or a ceramicist, costume designer, sculptor – it could move in so many directions. This is what enticed me to apply to iAtelier – the opportunity to collaborate with people from a range of different crafts
What is your feedback on the programme?
Before even meeting the other makers, we attended online lectures from various big names in the industry – these were brilliant and I even got to attend a talk from one of my all time favourite design team – Unfold Studios! It was, of course, very inspiring. Teaming up with a range of different makers was exactly how I imagined it to be and challenged us all to think creatively, coming up with ideas none of us would’ve on our own. We travelled around the UK, creating our concept and these other makers soon became good friends. When the time came to get making at Steamhouse in Birmingham, I was slightly disappointed. What was originally advertised as 2 weeks making time turned into a few days. The iAtelier open call described the technology as ‘new fabrication tools and digital techniques’. However when arriving at Steamhouse we found that the machinery was suitable for hobbyists at best. On the bright side the technicians were very knowledgeable and went out of their way to help us reach our goals in the limited time. The whole experience at Steamhouse was unorganised and it didn’t seem like the workshop was ready to take us on yet.
Five top tips you can offer others from your experience
1.Seek to collaborate those from a completely different background to you to get the most unique ideas.
2.If the collaboration isn’t going how you imagined it, don’t be afraid to chat to your teammates about it to solve any issues.
3.Don’t stick to the workshop! If you are hitting a wall, step outside and do something together as literally anything can be fuel for your work.
4.Always have a plan B.
5.If you come across any opportunities that look relevant to your teammates tell them about it as then they might do the same for you.