Interview with David Tate
David Tate Design has originated from a spark fuelled by a deep passion for furniture design and construction instilled within David from a cabinet making and engineering heritage.
Design Legend Interview
23 April 2017
My design background eventuated not so much from my education but as a pastime.
The ability to explore your mind and what creativity it is capable of. Thinking a design, drawing it on paper then eventually building it and selling it to people to use is very rewarding.
I choose to follow my passion as it is what drives me to be successful.
I design furniture. Chairs. The essential furniture piece, I am yet to be satisfied to prototype a chair that I think is unique and will add to the design world.
I think a good designer becomes great when the design adds value and emotional connection to the personality of the audience.
One that works best for its intended purpose and for the people who will use it. One that is progressive and provides inspiration and satisfaction.
Efficiency, effectiveness, benefits, complementation
A coffee table, which I have pictured many a times in my mind, but it is a long way off even getting to paper.
Designing all the time. I am always looking for inspiration in every day life.
My greatest designs are yet to come, I am never satisfied or dwell on previous designs.
Ideally design would set the trend, however in order to guarantee sales of products designing for what people will most likely desire and buy is very influential.
Designer Interview
27 April 2017
Design as a career never seemed liked a realistic option or safe choice during my education, therefore I took a different career pathway. It has only been in recent times that the ability to create your own online business is as easy as an idea that I even considered doing the same. I have always had the curiosity to create and had the inherited skills to turn these creations into physical pieces. I believe you have to follow your passion in life and doing so will lead you to success.
David Tate Design was just that, an idea, or a dream. A dream that took just one step and now it has been recognized on the international stage. It is a small collection of my current designs and is still young with many more designs to add. It also represents myself, my outlook on design and my passion for design.
Design is simply the creation of objects or things, however designing is far from simple and to me it is a feeling, a presents, an aesthetic, a giver, a tool, a complement. It requires the right balance, contrasts, textures, materials.
Furniture is my area and I would say it’s because of the materials I get to work with. Wood is my go to choice as it is such a beautiful natural material. My favourite designs are generally contemporary as I look to complement modern spaces with new and different pieces.
My favourite designs are usually ones that I have just sketched but yet to prototype. It's the eventuation of the design that makes them appealing to me. At some point every design that gets the green light for prototyping is a favourite otherwise I wouldn't go through with it. Currently I have a few occasional tables that I think are really promising and will prototype very soon.
It would have to be wood. Character with warmth
Creativity comes to me when my mind is not distracted or concentrating on other things. When it's relaxed and open to ideas. Usually at night my mind can explore more.
Place would be a large influencer on designs. Where and how is a design going to fit into a room or setting. How is it going to add value as well as complement the room, the building and the environment. New furniture pieces must also work with other pieces within that room.
It works for its purpose. Aesthetically and functionally.
Design should support our lives in the way of making life better as well as complementing our lifestyles. Progression with benefit to both society and environment.
Like music, the problem with design is it will never rest. New designs are already old, and with so many designs appearing every day, good design gets somewhat crowded in the pack. We design as if we are chasing the holy grail, but we must not forget to appreciate the many great designs we already have. I hope for the future that furniture design will include more intricate detailing.
Interior designs are invaluable to my designing. Knowing current lifestyle and interior design trends ensures my pieces can complement existing and other furniture pieces. Architecture and nature are other strong sources of inspiration.
Design, design , design. The more you do the closer you will get to designing that masterpiece. Get your work out there and noticed by the right people.
Designing is usually a choice and for me it's my passion, therefore the negatives are just challenges to overcome.
Creativity, visualisation, patience, persistence.
Sketch tools. I am always designing, but remembering designs is the biggest problem. Making sure I have saved a design in a physical format is a must.
Quality over quantity. Short but intense design sessions.
Depends on other projects and the type of project.
More designing and prototyping. Build my online shop. Exhibitions and competitions.