Interview with Robin Greene
Robin Greene Art and Design Consultancy, based in London, has focus in two areas. First as an art consultancy, procuring existing and bespoke artworks for hospitality and private clients.
Design Legend Interview
15 May 2017
I originally graduated from the Royal College of Art in Menswear design. Spending a successful career at Head of Design level for various fashion brands, my passion for art and interiors started to dominate my focus over six years ago. I now work exclusively as both an art consultant for interior design firms, and a design studio creating bespoke artworks and installations for luxury interior spaces. My background in developing fashion collections, print, graphics and textile design has enabled my transfer a unique set of design skills into this new market.
From my earliest memories, I have always been inspired by creative people and design across all media platforms. I am most happy when creating something I believe is unique, beautiful, relevant, functional and lasting.
I choose to become an artist and designer.
I currently create bespoke artworks and art installations for high-end interior spaces and hotels globally. moving forward, I would like to create more artworks of this nature on a grander scale, and to start showing in galleries.
Immerse yourself not just in the design field you choose, but art and design in general. Design can become all consuming, so make sure it is for you. If it is, then fantastic.
The people around you.
For me, a really good design combines total functionality with good aesthetics. To create a product that didn't exist previously becomes a great design.
Good design can answer many questions about how we will live for the next 100 years.
A 10 piece art collection combining many materials and fabrications.
Research and finding the right people to help you.
To many to mention. Currently Neri Oxman
A 4 x 4 meter printed and hand embroidered art installation for a private residence in London. An artwork that size hasn't been attempted before in embroidery. It was hand finished in India and took nearly a year to complete.
Never be afraid to fail. Its the quickest way to learn.
It never one person. It's always the people you work for and the people that work for you. You can learn something valuable from every person you meet.
Having spent much of my career in the fashion industry, transferring myself to interior design has been my biggest recent challenge.
When creating and developing a successful design that I haven't attempted before.
More bespoke and customised design philosophy.
Can be one month to a year.
Research the project and the client.
I always choose tools to fit the brief. CAD is always used. I have a portfolio of designers and fabricators that I go to for complex projects.
Everything. The combination of these elements is central to my work.
The best partnerships are where each person brings different skill sets to the table. I very much enjoy working with fabricators and engineers.
Designer Interview
15 May 2017
I originally graduated from the Royal College of Art in Menswear design. Spending a successful career at Head of Design level for various fashion brands, my passion for art and interiors started to dominate my focus over six years ago. I now work exclusively as both an art consultant for interior design firms, and a design studio creating bespoke artworks and installations for luxury interior spaces. My background in developing fashion collections, print, graphics and textile design has enabled my transfer a unique set of design skills into this new market.
My company focuses in two areas. First to create artworks and bespoke design installations for high-end interior design firms in the hospitality, residential and corporate markets globally. Secondly, I act as an art consultant for the luxury hospitality market, procuring and creating existing and commissioned contemporary artworks in painting, sculptures, prints, photography and site specific installations.
My work explores the relationship between art and design. I understand that design has a more functional connotation, and that art consist of aesthetic and social commentary.
I like briefs that are challenging and provide an opportunity to create something unique but also commercially relevant. 2D & 3D artworks and installations with scale.
It is a 4 x 4 meter contemporary interpretation of a traditional wall handing tapestry. I was commissioned to create an installation for a luxury residence in London, based on the surrounding park life of the residence. Once the artwork was completed, I had it digitally printed onto cotton velvet and hand embroidered in India. The scale of this embroidery work has rarely been attempted and created many challenges. It took over 7 months to complete.
A printed scarf collection for Liberty, London.
I don’t have a specific favourite. I currently love exploring new ways to print, in particular the development of new materials for 3D printing.
I feel most creative first thing in the morning, and when I have made space in my day to block out all the noise of running a company I have time to think.
The spark of an idea can happen in a second. Working out how to make it takes 99% of the time. This is always my focus.
Excitement and trepidation
A moment of true happiness followed by thoughts of how it could be done better for next time
Where it answers the brief and looks amazing.
Does the design answer the brief. Does it work efficiently and concisely. Does it consider the environment. Does it look fantastic. Does it make the viewer think beyond the artwork, and draw an emotional response.
A designer must always be working out how to improve the lives of those around on a social, aesthetic and environmental level. A designer by nature is constantly questioning how something can be done better.
From my personal professional perspective, the nature of art and installations within interiors and hotels is becoming more bespoke and commission based. The ability to create something site specific has become very important.
I had four large works permanently installed at The Grove Hotel, Hertfordshire, at the end of 2016. My next exhibition has yet to be decided.
My inspirations come from many sources. Textile design, post war contemporary art, design engineering etc. It can be from anywhere or anyone that pushes boundaries and inspires.
Currently I am exploring how to represent a 2D visual through the combination of different materials and techniques that you not normally see together. I also explore how to re-contextualise fashion and textile techniques into art for interior spaces. The development of the technique and how that works is central to the artwork itself.
I live in North London. The city has a positive effect creatively and inspires ambition. There are many designers and artists living in London to work with and be inspired by. The drawback of London is the cost of property space. This can stifle creating art on a large scale.
The process is always the same. I must first work out what the client wants, and what the client wants for their customer. I research exhaustively to see every angle. Aside for the pitches, presentations and critical path development of a project, I always aim to finish the project with something better that the original expectation.
Fit the brief to the correct designer.
IWC watch. Fornasetti Sugar bowl. Leica Camera, Vintage Knoll armchair. A laser projected keyboard.
To varied! In the office by 7.30-8am. Currently working on two pitches which means a lot of researching new materials and techniques. Developing a new collection of artworks which also means more research and exploration.
The world always needs great new designers. If you believe you have talent and intelligence, follow your dream. Think carefully however, at the beginning of your career, if the area of art and design is the correct path for you, or if your talents lay in a different design market.
Always answer the brief. Always think beauty.
I always choose tools to fit the brief. CAD is always used. I have a portfolio of designers and fabricators that I go to for complex projects.
Time management is the biggest challenge. Planning is key. If you don't keep to your own deadlines you're in trouble. If you are your own boss no-one will be there to watch over you.
Can be anything from 1 month to nearly a year.
The first job out of college. It is a quicker education experience that anything college provides you with.
The Langham Hotel, The Grove Hotel, The Athenaeum Hotel, The Cosmopolitan Hotel
To grow my business internationally and develop my own personal artwork collection
I develop my designs either by myself or with a design company specific to the brief.
I can’t discuss due to NDA’s.
robin@robingreene.com | Mobile: +44 (0) 7976 869 461