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Today's featured designer is Miles J Rice. Miles J Rice is the creator of iconic designs such as Augusta. |
We had the rare opportunity to interview the exalted designer Miles J Rice who was recently announced as the Designer of the Day by the A' Design Award and Competition. Miles J Rice is the creator of iconic designs such as Augusta. We got exclusive answers to our questions about Miles J Rice designs and design philosophy. |
Miles J Rice, what are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
Miles J Rice: The design process starts in my head, visualizing shapes and forms interacting with their surroundings. A very important part of this visualization is thinking of the use, of specific surrounding for the design. Once I achieve “dream up” a design that is both sitting proudly in its intended space and is unique and surprising, I start drawing pencil on paper. The next step is building models to finetune the designs.... |
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Miles J Rice, which emotions do you feel when designing?
Miles J Rice: Being a designer does not come with quick successes, good designs take time. Being able to not give up throughout the process of designing very special pieces, not to cut corners and settle for something less than what makes you proud and to draw from the delayed gratification that awaits at the end of it can be so rewarding. This feeling is the best motivation.... |
Miles J Rice, what particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
Miles J Rice : First, I taught myself carpentry as I believe that only if you know the material and how to work it, such as the techniques, you understand what is possible. My first pieces centred very much around the natural beauty of the material. Over time I found my unique visual language of combining this natural beauty of the material with timeless sculptural shapes.... |
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Miles J Rice, what is your growth path? what are your future plans? what is your dream design project?
Miles J Rice : For future projects I am looking forward to working with other enthusiastic craftspeople who are, like me, pushing the boundaries of their crafts regarding design and the crafts techniques. I see a new generation of craftspeople emerging with a great admiration for the traditions as well as new innovative ideas. I believe in the strength of putting creative ideas together when the design partners come from very different angles. Later on in 2020, we are opening our own showroom featuring also some of these highly talented craftspeople in historic premises dating back to the 14th century.... |
Miles J Rice, what are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
Miles J Rice : Come in with a fresh view. Build and make until you find what works and identify your own style. Do not become influenced by trends. Good design sets trends, trends set interchangeable designs. I strongly believe in the uniqueness, having your own visual language as a designer.... |
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Miles J Rice, how do you know if a product or project is well designed? how do you define good design?
Miles J Rice : Beauty meets function. My "golden rule" in design is: Function, form, and beauty combined, realised in the highest quality craftsmanship....
Miles J Rice, what are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
Miles J Rice : For me, it is important to create timeless pieces of furniture, that becomes a family heirloom. Family is the most important unit of society as it shapes us to who we are. I want my pieces of furniture to live with families across generations. This also benefits the environment as these pieces are not ending up filling up landfills.... |
Miles J Rice, what positive experiences you had when you attend the a’ design award?
Miles J Rice : I entered the A’ Design Award because of its reputation and my experience did definitely live up to it. Especially for a new designer, it is incredibly valuable to have my designs reviewed by industry experts and to a fair chance of winning compared to bigger companies. In this sense, the A’ Design Award truly awards great designs.... |
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Miles J Rice, can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
Miles J Rice : We started with a small design workshop in Luxembourg and an office in London. Our plans for 2020 are big. We are opening our own showroom with other featured craftspeople in historic premises dating back to the 14th century.... |
Miles J Rice, what kinds of works do you like designing most?
Miles J Rice : I enjoy designing pieces that are sculptural yet timeless, that are becoming part of the owner's life. An important aspect of the design is also the craftsmanship of the finished piece. For me, standout design and superb craftsmanship need to go hand in hand.... |
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Miles J Rice, what was the first thing you designed for a company?
Miles J Rice : I designed a coffee table for an analogue music recording studio in Germany. It was important to capture the tradition and romance of analogue recording in the design....
Miles J Rice, what is your favorite material / platform / technology?
Miles J Rice : My favourite material will always be high-quality hardwood. Timeless and classic.... |
Miles J Rice, when do you feel the most creative?
Miles J Rice : I usually design, pencil to paper, early in the morning. Long before the pencil touches the paper, I visualize my designs in my head, when sightseeing or on walks in nature....
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Miles J Rice, what kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
Miles J Rice : Designs often go through various alterations until you get to the version that just works and no further alterations could make it better. When I can see my designs realized I feel a sense of achievement.... |
Miles J Rice, how do you think the "design field" is evolving? what is the future of design?
Miles J Rice : New designs will come and go, but great designs will stay. I strongly believe that designers must be responsible for the longevity of their designs, that are not just following short-lived trends or need upgrading.... |
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Miles J Rice, from your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
Miles J Rice : There is always the worry if I will be able to come up with another great design. The positive aspect is the feeling of excitement when I spent many hours building a model, finish it, stand back and it just works.... |
Miles J Rice, what skills are most important for a designer?
Miles J Rice : Be a dreamer, dream up what has not been created before.... |
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Miles J Rice, how long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
Miles J Rice : It can take from a month to several months. Sometimes I come back much later to rework what has not worked in the past.... |
Miles J Rice, what was your most important job experience?
Miles J Rice : Being recognised on the world stage through awards and competitions. As a self-trained designer getting positive feedback from experts very early in my design career was such a great and encouraging experience.... |
Miles J Rice, thank you for giving us the opportunity to interview you... To learn more about Miles J Rice and check more designs by Miles J Rice as well as to see more Miles J Rice designs such as Augusta visit designeroftheday.com/?268846 |
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We hope you enjoyed our interview of Miles J Rice. This interview was made possible by the contributions of A' Design Award and Competition - The World's largest and most influential design accolade. A' Design Award is an annual, international design award open to both concept stage and realized works by designers, artists, architects and brands worldwide. A' Design Award and Competition aims to create a public awareness and understanding of good design by promoting the best designers such as Miles J Rice and their design works worldwide. Visit designaward.com to learn more. |
REFERENCES/BIBLIOGRAPHY:
https://competition.adesignaward.com/designer.php?profile=268846 https://competition.adesignaward.com/design.php?ID=100946 |
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 VIA:
designeroftheday.com/?268846 |
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