Gentle and considerate design for people and the environment.

 

Kin consists of 5 core member’s which have come together through the innovative routes to market program. In collaboration with UBS KIN have started to develop a unique business model based around sound environmental principals and the opportunities they present to industry. KIN consists of; Jason Allcorn, Anthony Dickens, Sarah Johnson, Gareth Neal, Junior Phipps.

 

 

Viable, a dynamic new design studio based in London, was launched in September 2005 by Magnus Long, Charles Trevelyan and Gala Wright. Described in The Telegraph as “the ones to watch” (Jan 2006) and by Elle Decoration as “destined for stardom” (Sept 2006), Viable have burst onto the scene with a series of pieces including the widely acclaimed Shelflife, by Charles Trevelyan (nominated for the Elle Decoration Awards), Standing Hanger, by Magnus Long, and Mekong by Gala Wright.

 

Viable was launched in September 2005 with an exhibition filling 400 square metres featuring 17 new furniture and lighting products, live music and customised vodka cocktails. Since then they have exhibited at the Satellite Salone in Milan in April 2006, and will be exhibiting at th3e Design Museum in London from the 20th of September 2006. Most recently, Viable have been selected to exhibit an installation piece at the Container Ground in Tokyo during the Tokyo Design Week in November 2006.

 

Viable is currently comprised of  three designers, Magnus Long, Charles Trevelyan and Gala Wright. Viable is widely recognised for its catalogue of striking and inventive pieces. Ranging from furniture to product design, most have been featured in the press, and several are already in limited production. As well as producing products for the retail industry, Viable operate as a design studio, taking on commissions for projects ranging from bespoke furniture items to interiors and point of sale displays.

 

Based on its success to date Viable is now looking to expand its operations to include a product development and manufacturing aspect. In late 2006, Viable will add a series of smaller, more affordable pieces to their catalogue, with further launches planned for April 2007.

 

 

UBS support is a collaborative effort with personnel coming from various parts within the organisation.

 

Lokkei Li works in the Policy and Strategy Team at UBS Investment Bank. She has a strong interest in social enterprises and wishes to lend her skills and experiences to help develop viable businesses.

 

Sophia Zhu is a Chartered Accountant and currently an Internal Auditor for the Investment Bank but has always had intense interest in the current developments of both social enterprises and the design field.  She has strong faith that KIN is fully equipped with the creativity and business acumen to become a profitable social enterprise.

 

James Welsh, originally from Australia, works as a Business Analyst for the Investment Banking Division of UBS.
He has limited experience working with entrepreneurs and small business start-ups, and this is his first venture into the chaotic, yet rewarding, world of design.