Charles Trevelyan was selected for the Heal's Discovers Range through the Hidden Art Brokerage. His Pendant Light design will be available in Heal's stores in September. We caught him in his studio for an update:
How did you hear about the Heal’s brief?
I came to the Heal’s brief through the Design Brokerage at Hidden Art. There were specific mail outs for the brief.
Did you already have the design before the Heal’s brief?
No. It was a completely open brief. The previous year’s brief was quite specific; they wanted a contemporary chandelier. This was just a call for pretty much anything, it didn’t specify at all.
Does that put pressure on for designs?
Not really. It’s an opportunity, because it is such an open brief, to bring ideas that have been around into something more formalised. It was a quick process, done over about a week.
What were the inspirations?
With the light fitting, I wanted to use a sheet metal, either stainless steel or brass for ease of manufacture and so on. Therefore the branching structure allowed me to make a piece which was light enough but still had a visual volume and filled a space. A lot of the way I work isn’t quantifiable in words; ideas just come. Its not often I can pick a direct inspiration or a thought process.
What stage was the product in when you replied to the brief?
It was still in sketch stage. I put in six or 8 pieces for the brief, and all of them were concept stage. I didn’t have any prototypes or any further development; it was very much at the first step.
How do you sketch?
I do it all on pencil and paper, I only use 3d modelling when I need to.
What is your next step?
Finding a manufacturer, which I am still getting to grips with the process. I am starting to build lists of people to work with.
Click here for more details on the Heal's Discovers range.
