On another week’s version of our design quiz, hosted by my PDE tutor, Hugh. The class and I had the usual task of trying to identify a designer from various photos. I admittedly struggled even more than usual this week, most times I at least recognise a photo or two but not this time. Once Hugh had put us out our misery and had told us about the designer, I was intrigued by his work. Max Lamb is a well-known furniture designer who focusses more on the processes involved in making a product rather than their final form. He was born in Cornwall in 1980 and attended Amersham & Wycombe College for art and design. During his time here he won serval awards. Further down the line, Lamb attended Northumbria University and gained a degree in three-dimensional design. After this, he received his master’s degree in design products from the Royal College of Art. Soon after graduation, Max’s professor hired him as a special project designer. In 2007 Lamb began his own design firm.
His unusual approach to utilising natural materials is something that’s given him a lot of recognition. An example of this is when he dug out a form in the sand and then poured molten pewter into it to create a stool. A particular story I read about max’s work stood out to me as quite captivating. During his Man, Rock, Drill project max created a portable drill to be able to carve various circle sizes out of Vermont marble easily. Having a look at the pictures of the drilling rig you can only wonder how many different forms you can make from this machine. The variation in the finished product for the exhibition was impressive. I was also impressed at his worth ethic; it was mentioned when a friend of Max’s came to help out with the project, he didn’t realise what he was getting himself into. The day would start at 6am with some porridge and a coffee. 1 o’clock was lunchtime and after that, it was straight back to work, up until 7 o’clock and then after dinner, he would go back outside to carry on working. One night max stayed outside in the pouring rain until midnight with a headtorch on drilling away.
This dedicated work ethic really emphasises the value of the product he makes. Knowing how much time and effort was put into something, for me makes it seem much more valuable. Is this another pillar of the building that makes great design? Yes and no, the narrative of the product becomes much more fascinating when you get a grasp of how much dedication has been put in. On the other hand, spending extensive periods on a project from my experience can lead to overthinking. To have the ability to stand back and look at what you are working on, then refocus on the key aspects, is something I consider challenging.
Another striking exhibition Max worked on was for Nike, ‘Inside the Nature of Motion’ at Milano Design Week. From a first glance, the installation looks quite simple heavy aluminium, granite and polystyrene blocks. However, there are tubes connected to the back of the blocks. All of a sudden, the blocks raise off the ground, Max begins pushing them across the floor, effortlessly. Compressed air is supplied from the tubes enables them to move with the ease. This, in turn, challenges preconceived perceptions of weight and effort.
This week’s deal is coming straight from Coop. You can score a £5 meal deal perfect for the weekend. Two pizzas and a four back of San Miguel beer, you have the option between a Margherita or pepperoni pizza. This doesn’t last long in the shops though, so I would get them quickly, while they last! Thanks for reading this week’s blog, I hope to see you back again soon for another instalment of ‘what is great design?’
