Interview with Studio Hemal Patel

From a young age I have been very creative, and I love the idea of creating something new from nothing. I also think design can help make the world a happier, better place, so I keep on designing, hoping that the next project will take me closer to my goal of creating something that really matters.

I chose to become a designer. At a young age I wanted to be an Architect, but in my teens I stumbled across product design and the idea of creating something from nothing and having people use that which I created seemed so appealing to me. In fact, it still does.

I design anything 3-dimensional. Up until now it has been mainly interior accessories, furniture and lighting, but in the future I hope to design a bit of everything - electronics, transport, architecture, landscaping, the lists goes on and on.

Work hard and never give up - sooner or later things will work out. But, to get there faster, there are a few things you can do: get experience in a design firm, when working on new projects always try to look at the problem from different angles, try and push boundaries, don't take 'no' for an answer, be observant, keep an open mind, sell yourself and your work, don't be afraid of failure, don't work in a vacuum, have faith in yourself.

Ability to be flexible, be adaptable to change, be able to approach problems in different ways, to have a deep desire to improve things, be observant, an eye for detail, ability to get in the mind of the user, commercial awareness.

A great design is something that solves real problems, that is simple to use, that can be made efficiently and affordably, that is sympathetic to it’s user and environment, and it is something that looks beautiful.

The value of good design is improved living, both physically and emotionally. Everyone should invest in good design to make their lives easier or happier or more fun.

If I had the time and the resources I would love to design something meaningful that solves real world problems, like helping to solve the terrible conditions the homeless endure, or improving water access for people in developing countries.

My dream project would be to design my dream house. From a young age I wanted to be an Architect and in recent years it has been my ambition to design my own living space. I’ve actually designed sections of the building in my mind, but I’m yet to figure out how they all fit together in one, coherent solution.

Always ask yourself is this worth progressing, has it been done before, can it be done differently and better, have I exhausted all other options, and what’s the goal we are trying to achieve? I ask these questions continuously, at every stage of a project, to make sure we are pushing ourselves as much as possible.

My current design idols are the Bouroullec brothers and Stefan Diez. I love the the forms that the Bouroullec create, and I think Stefan Diez is pushing boundaries in design beyond just the aesthetic. My idols of the past are Noguchi, Panton, Hans Wegner and the Eames. I admire them as they were at the forefront of design, and their works stood the test of time.

There are many designs I love but the 3 that come to mind are: Konstantin Grcic’s Muira stool for Plank because of it’s contemporary styling and use of materials; the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman by the Eames for their unparalleled comfort and aesthetics and; the Noguchi coffee table by Isamu Noguchi for its clever design and minimal use of materials.

The Ooob Doorstop is probably my greatest design that has made it to market. I like it because it is deceptively simple, but incredibly functional, ergonomic and beautiful. It is also price accessibly which is very important to me.

Never settle, read widely, keep an open mind, work hard, never give up, don’t be afraid to fail, try new things, embrace change, push yourself.

Either I would have been an architect as I love buildings and the spaces we use and live, or I would be a restaurateur as I love food.

Design is the process of creating. It is the link between the abstract and the tangible, physical world.

For me, design is about change. Sometimes it is about creating from new, sometimes it is about improving on what's existing, and sometimes it is about being different. If deployed with positive intent it has the power to improve lives, elicit favourable emotion and effect beneficial change. But, if used negatively it can be detrimental... So, as a designer it is incumbent upon us to do good, for the designer and for the planet.

My mum has been my biggest supporter. As a teenager when I first told her I wanted to become a product designer she didn’t know what that was, but she blindly accepted my decision and supported me in my studies and career. Even today she’s proud of the products I create, and she even helps me with my work when I’m overwhelmed.

Perseverance and drive, keeping an open mind, being fastidious in my research, a thirst for knowledge, my competitive side and my engineering foundations.

Getting my work recognised, understanding how the industry works, finding the right partners and suppliers, understanding the market, networking.

Every piece requires its own dedicated method of presentation. Sometimes trade shows are good, other times an online or print marketing campaign is required, and sometimes exploiting your network will get results. However, whatever option you select a designer should never underestimate the important of great product imagery.

We are currently working on several seating pieces, and some lighting. For the seating we are trying to move beyond traditional wooden frame construction, but its proving difficult to source suppliers that have the capabilities we require. For the lighting, we are experimenting with using the latest technologies, so a lot of development work is needed.

I don’t have an ultimate goal, as progress in technology, society and user requirements mean that our work has to constantly evolve to remain up-to-date. However, on a personal level, if I can design my own house then I can retire happy.

People expect something new and different and boundary pushing.

Design has the power to solve real-world problems, to make life easier and happier and more fulfilling.

We are designing an armchair that employs a type of construction that is not seen in this type of furniture. It’s a very pie-in-the-sky design, so we don’t know if we will actually succeed, but we will give it our best shot.

The first product I designed, the Ooob Doorstop and Bookend) was probably the most satisfying project I have completed for several reasons. The design is simple but clever and beautiful. It was also the first product I successfully brought to market by myself and self-funded. Also, there were no external expectations or pressure, so I could fully embrace and enjoy the experience.

I'd like to see the big players proactively work with up-and-coming designers instead of just working with the established names. I think this partnership could be very fruitful, both creatively and economically.

I think the design field is headed in a greener direction. The effects of our work on the environment is playing an increasingly important role, not just in terms of production and waste, but also reuse and end of life. I also think that design will become more collaborative because technology and society is moving so fast that the cross fertilisation of ideas and methodologies will aid better design. Finally, I think design will become more democratised, allowing more and more people to take their own ideas and make them a reality.

This varies on every project. The simple ones can be finalised quickly, but the larger or more complicated ones can take years to finalise.

We always start by establishing the parameters of the project and defining the problem. Only once this is done can we begin to identify avenues of research and possible solutions.

If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well.

I think design sets trends, but often there is a delay between the two as it takes time for the ideas and themes to be absorbed and accepted by the market, and become part of the zeitgeist of society.

Technology is supremely important. We use the internet for research and communications. We use CAD to model ideas, prototyping to develop them further, machinery to test, and manufacturing equipment to make. Without technology we couldn’t do what we do.

We use 3D modelling software to model ideas, 3D printers to prototype them, and machinery to test and manufacture.

Colour and materials are hugely important in our design. Materials allow us to define the use, purpose, manufacturing processes, longevity and environmental considerations of a project. And, colour, allows us to adapt and customise designs to market requirements.

The particular question a person may ask about our design is not so important to us. What is important is the fact that they ask a question at all, because it shows they wish to engage with the idea on a deeper level, to understand a particular facet of the design or the thinking behind the whole project.

When I see a new great design I always think, “Why didn’t I think of that?”

An ideal design partner is one whose strengths compliment your weaknesses, and whose weaknesses your strengths compliment. They are open and communicative, and always willing to try new things and push boundaries. They need to have a positive mindset and not shut down ideas because they are new or ‘out-there’ or have never been done before.

I believe in co-design as no one person knows everything and working together create synergies that can result in great, innovative design. For co-design to work each party needs to bring something unique to the table, and there needs to be a mutual respect for each other’s knowledge, experience, skills and views.

All people have an influence on my work as I can learn a lot from everyone. I try to remain open and observant, and this informs my work in many different ways.

There’s no particular book that had an effect on my design. My experiences tend to inform my work.

I am constantly reading and researching materials, technologies and processes. I like to understand historic designs, and I like to learn about new avenues of development and exploration. I get most of my information from either the internet or visiting trade shows focused on industries related to design. For example, I visit lighting technology shows, component shows, materials and manufacturing engineering shows, etc.

I would like to meet Leonardo Da Vinci. He was one of the greatest minds ever to live, an artist and an innovator, and he did so much in his life. I’d love to talk with him to understand him on a deeper level - how he thought, what his motivations were, why he did what he did, etc.

The awards and recognitions are nice but I try not to let them affect the way I think or the person I am. Also, I'm not famous, so it's not something I can really comment on.

I don’t have a favourite colour. My favourite place is my bed as I feel warm and secure and comfortable. Mt favourite foods are pizza, chilli paneer and Thai green curry. I love summer because of the warm weather and there are more chances to go and explore nature. I don’t have a favourite thing, but I cherish any gift my brother as ever given me as I owe him a lot. I don’t have a favourite brand.

Quite often the best ideas I have is on the toilet. I’m not sure why that is, but maybe it’s because that’s when I’m most relaxed and I can switch off from work and let me brain be free.

The feeling when you are working on a project and you have that brainwave that not only solves the problem, but elevates the design above even your own expectations. That feeling is awesome and is the best part of my day.

No, I’ve always been a bit of an introvert, tending to keep to myself… so, I never expected for my work to get ‘out there’ for others to see.

I think our planet is doomed from an environmental stand point. With consumerism raising the effects on the planet will become more and more devastating. If we don’t start to change in the next 10 years I honestly don’t think humans will be around on earth in one thousand years.

I founded Studio Hemal Patel in mid-2018. It is a young, fresh, London-based design practice with big ambitions of designing and redefining the material world in a progressive,holistic way. The studio delivers beautifully crafted, intelligent products and experiences by employing a rigorous research and development framework to pursue our ethos of 'forward-leaning, divergent-thinking problem solving'. Our approach is driven by a deep desire to celebrate materials and processes, and create products that initiate a positive emotional user response.

Design is the process of creating. It is the link between the abstract and the tangible, physical world.

For me personally, design is about change. Sometimes it is about creating from new, sometimes it is about improving on what's existing, and sometimes it is about being different. If deployed with positive intent it has the power to improve lives, elicit favourable emotion and effect beneficial change. But, if used negatively it can be detrimental... So, as a designer it is incumbent upon us to do good, for society and for the planet.

Anything and everything 3-dimensional. I love the idea of taking an everyday object and tweaking and improving it with a new form and/or function.

I don't have a most favourite design. I always seem to think the current project I'm working on is the best.

However, if you were to press me I would say the first commercial product I ever designed is probably the one I like most for a number of emotional and professional reasons. The product is called The Ooob, and it is a contemporary doorstop and bookend. I'm proud of it because it was the first product I successfully brought to market, and it was self-funded. Moreover, it perfectly exemplifies good design because it successfully marries form, function and ergonomics, all at an accessible price point. Its curvaceous, sleek form is deceptively simple, the way it is used is instinctive, and its safety feature is unassuming but effective.

The Ooob Doorstop and Bookend was the first product I designed for a company called HeadSprung! It is a contemporary take on the humble doorstop. It has a sleek, curvaceous form that is beautiful to view and satisfying to hold. Its design is highly functional and intuitive, and it is also ergonomic, so users can't stub their toes on it.

Wood is my favourite material because I find it warming and tactile to the touch. The sheer variety of species, each with their own unique colours, tones, grain structures and hardnesses, is also something I truly appreciate.

I don't have a favourite technology, preferring to use my own hands (or the skilled hands of experienced craftsmen) as much as possible. I tend to use technology only when required, to complete tasks that would otherwise be too difficult or time consuming to do by any other way.

I feel creative all the time (except when I'm tired)... but I'm probably most creative when I'm not actively thinking about design or creating. I'm embarrassed to say I often have my most interesting ideas in the bathroom.

I try to take a global, holistic view when designing as I want to make sure a design works coherently, effectively and efficiently at every level. The danger of focusing too much on one thing is you get tunnel vision at the detriment to other factors or features. Saying all that, I try to consider functionality, form, manufacturability, viability and marketability in equal measures when working on a project.

I always feel happy when I design, but my biggest hit of Endorphins comes when I have that lightbulb moment. I can always tell how good or interesting an idea is depending on how happy I feel in that moment.

Strangely, I don't have quite the same kind of happy emotions when a design is realised. Instead, I tend to feel relieved that the project has come that far, and then I'm hit with a feeling of trepidation as I begin to worry about how the project will be received by the market.

A successful design is one that ticks off the following checklist:

- Effective
- Efficient
- Effortless
- Least wasteful
- Long life
- Considerate
- Beautiful
- Emotive

The aspect I consider first is functionality. Does the object do well what is it is designed for?

It is incumbent on designers to design objects that move society forward, that solve problems and improve lives. In addition, our products should have the least possible impact on the environment, they should be forward-thinking, and they should do no harm.

As designers we have power to do good, so we should exercise that power accordingly in the products we bring to market. We should also facilitate and educate users through our products, for a better society and world.

Design is evolving at such a pace it's hard to keep up or even predict the future. Greener technologies and connective technologies are a part of the immediate future, but so too are technologies that allow customisation and self-production.

In the future I also think design will be more democratised, allowing anyone and everyone to create more easily.

The last exhibition we participated in was Maison et Objet in Paris in January 2019. We don't yet have plans to exhibit in any upcoming exhibitions as we're working on several new items, and only after they are ready will we plan our next marketing campaign.

Inspiration comes from many sources, so it's hard to pinpoint just one. I often look to nature and the sciences for new ideas, solutions and inspiration. I also use market research and analysis to determine trends and future directions. The internet is also an important tool for us in the way we feed our inquisitive minds, look for solutions and keep pushing ourselves.

I don't have a particular style as my work is so heavily influenced by the project's specifications, the findings of my research, my mood and things I find interesting at that time. However, I do enjoy a more contemporary and fresh styling, with simple lines and uncomplicated forms.

What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
I was born and raised in London, UK, but am of Indian heritage. I believe exposure to both cultures has heavily influenced my work to this day. In particular, it has given me a wider appreciation of the idiosyncrasies of both societies, their different manufacturing methodologies and craft skills, and the aesthetics prevalent in both countries. This is something you may identify as an underlining theme in all my work.

It is a very symbiotic relationship. We try to find synergies that we can exploit, but also gaps, weaknesses and opportunities we can explore and cultivate into strengths. As a design studio our strengths come in ideation, creation and out-of-the-box thinking. We try to pair this with our clients core competences to offer truly unique, interesting and progressive solutions.

Companies often work with designers that create objects similar to their current product offerings. Companies don't often push their limits or work outside their comfort zones. If you really want to innovate and advance and differentiate, select designers who would not be an immediate or obvious fit.

Once a company has selected a designer, brief them well but also clearly state the boundaries and scope of the project. But, saying that, I think it is also important that the company gives the designer a little bit of leeway to explore ideas and seek opportunities.

To select a good designer a company needs to follow trends, but also they need to do their own research and due diligence in identifying suitable prospects. Don't always go with the first choice, or the easiest or most comfortable choice, but step a little out of your comfort zone and identify a designer that has the same values as you, but a slightly different style, mindset or methodology. This slight mismatch could be enough to spark something new and great.

Our design process is fluid and varies depending on the project. But, generally speaking, once the brief has been set we do a deep dive into market and product research to define the problem and identify possible solutions and avenues for exploration. We follow with a process of ideation, concept development and assessment. We loop this process as many times as is needed until we have succeeded in proof of concept and are ready for further development. We then begin prototyping, testing and further feedback. If all is ok we proceed to supplier sourcing, manufacturing and packaging, whilst always keeping an eye on impact assessment. This process is not set in stone, and process steps may be swapped around as required.

Noguchi coffee table (beautiful, clever, simple, timeless)
Ooob doorstop (beautiful, functional and ergonomic)
Apple AirPods (work effortlessly, light-weight and the case closes with a satisfying 'click')
My memory foam pillow (so comfortable)
My Adidas shin pads (so comfortable given it is protective wear)

Everyday is different. Generally speaking, the mornings are filled with operational activities, fulfilling orders, admin and replying to emails. The afternoons consist of project work, and maybe a bit of blue-sky thinking for speculative works.

This is by no means an exhaustive list:
- Do your own thing
- Don't be influenced by other designers
- Always ask yourself 'is this new or different or interesting?'
- Keep an open mind
- Never give up
- You have to spend as much time, if not more, selling yourself and your work than just designing
- Don't work in a vacuum
- Two heads are better than one
- Don't try and be everything to all people
- Use other people's experience and skills
- There's no harm in asking
- There's no shame in failure, it's how you pick yourself up that counts

Positives - You get to create and change the world. You get to do what you love. You can influence trends and set the agenda. You don't work behind a desk all day. You get to work with your hands. You learn more about how the material world is created and functions.
Negatives - Its competitive and low pay (unless you're successful).

Always put yourself in the shoes of the end user.

Inquisitive mind, problem solving, out-of-the-box/blue-sky/divergent-thinking, ability to communicate ideas clearly and effectively, team working, be observant, question everything (but not in an annoying way), be customer/user-centric, eye for detail, don't accept 'no' without questioning and understanding why, don't be afraid to push boundaries, be sympathetic.

29.Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
In the workshop - pencil, rubber, notebook, marker pen, ruler, measuring tape, paper/card, scissors, knife, cutting pad, sellotape, masking tape, gaffer tape, electrical tape, cardboard, MDF, Plywood, jigsaw, handsaw, electric screwdriver, drill, drill bits, screws, spirit level.

In the office - CAD software, internet, spreadsheets, word processing software, photo-editing software.

Time management is difficult because there's no telling when you will have that moment of inspiration. Sometimes it comes at the start of the project and everything is plain sailing from there... but sometimes it comes at the end of the project, so you need to rush to get everything done on time. When the latter occurs, the only thing you can do is make sure you are as efficient and effective as possible, and don't waste time on non-value adding or superfluous tasks. Unfortunately, knowing which tasks these are only comes with experience.

It depends on my knowledge of the subject matter, the market, the manufacturing processes and the complexity of the design. An easy project can be completed in a couple of days, but a complex project can take months or even years to fully realise.

People often tell me they have an idea for a product that addresses a problem they face everyday at home or at work. They then ask me what I think of their idea or if I can design it for them. I am yet to meet someone who has the guts or drive to pursue their idea to a fully realised, market-ready product.

My most important job experience was not completely/technically a job experience. My postgraduate course was very entrepreneurial and during the course of a year we visited over 90 companies on half-day and full day visits to learn best and worst practices. We also interned in 6 different companies for between 2 and 6 weeks. It was these experiences, and the unusual and entrepreneurial nature of the course, that opened my eyes to the extensive world of design and manufacture. It was a very informative year for me and one that would steer my future career.

Studio Hemal Patel's major client is HeadSprung! We have done some work for other companies, but we have NDAs with them so we are not allowed to divulge any information.

I enjoy any and all types of 3-dimensional design. I do also enjoy 2-dimensional design, but I often find it frustrating as it's not one of my strengths.

Continue designing products for self-production, whilst also trying to win business designing for third party companies. Currently we are working in the fields of furniture, lighting and interior accessory design, but we want to expand and design all types of objects and experiences. A few examples include spaces, buildings, interactive entertainment, apps, transport, electronics, etc.

On a day-to-day basis I work by myself, but I often work closely with suppliers and other strategic partners to realise my designs. The process is so collaborative that I don't see the final product as being solely my creation - it is a team effort.

We are designing a number of seating and lighting products on a speculative basis, but that's as much as I can say at the moment.

You can contact me by email (info@studiohemalpatel.com), or you can message me on LinkedIn (just search for Studio Hemal Patel).