Clockwise from left: Pepper-mint's Patricia Adler,
Thelermont Hupton's David Hupton, 2PM's Stuart Robbins
and Design Nation's Peta Levi

 

 

The fifth annual Hidden Art Forum took place in June, with 83 designers present to hear forty speakers share their advice about the industry. The event was host to several prestigious designers and members of the Hidden Art community.

Terence Woodgate returned to his old college (then the London College of Furniture) to speak at the Hidden Art Forum about working with manufacturers. Terence has designed furniture and lighting for a range of companies such as SCP, Cappellini and Concord lighting, including a product that lights the whole of the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur. "Think outside the brief, and always feel obliged to tear it up," he advised. He has built a highly respected profile by gaining introductions to companies through mutual parties.

Also from the designer's perspective, Hidden Art designer Patricia Adler discussed her experience of installing a commissioned chandelier in a Foster & Partners interior, next to St James' Palace. Architect and designer Simon Jones discussed working on furniture for the Camden Arts Centre with Tony Fretton Architects. Designer Helen Murray spent two weeks on the Nesta Creative Pioneer Programme, where she learned how to write her business plan to produce her award-winning sculptural textiles. Gala Wright explained how she chose between two Italian furniture companies competing to license her graduate design.

From the client's perspective, Patricia Evans of Formica explained how digital print has made opportunities to experiment with Formica designs more accessible to designers, quoting an example of a Will Alsop one off table and chairs made from Formica and digitally printed with book pages. Angela Oakes announced new opportunities from the Bombay Sapphire Foundation – calling for entries to exhibit in a new design exhibition space at Vinopolis and to pitch for the design commission for a new bar in the entrance.

From the funder's perspective, Sarah Purvis of the City Fringe Partnership discussed their reasons for investing in the creative sector, the fastest growing part of London's economy. The London Development Agency has purchased Eagle Court, the £4.5 million former Central St Martins Foundation Building to convert into workspace and a support centre focusing on the fashion industry.

The opening address was made by Graham Hitchen, head of Creative London, an exciting new investment initiative by the mayor's London Development Agency. Graham cited research conducted by Interbrand last year, that the notion of uncovering hidden treasures is central to what is special about London. He said:

"I have a particular fondness for Hidden Art because it manages to capture the essence of London. We have the same energy and vitality as a city like New York but with less of the brashness; a sense of modesty. It encourages people to come and discover things for themselves. In London people can open a door and find an amazing hidden activity going on. These are not quaint hidden treasures either, but just as important for investors."

Creative London is keen to push design at the forefront of the creative industries which play an important part in the capital.

A special exhibition by COMMITTEE encouraged attendees to swap pictures relating to their own work or identity with other people, through the medium of one-off printed T-shirts.

The breadth and quality of comment from the speakers and enthusiasm from all the attending members heralded the Hidden Art Forum a success once again.

Thanks to John Miller and Tina Wells at Furniture Works for supplying an excellent venue and for all their hard work with helping to make the event run smoothly.