The essential elements of Nick Fraser’s designs are functionality and simplicity, combined with humour, variation and surprise. Following a successful show at Salone Satellite in Milan this year we met up with Nick as he prepares for 100% Design.
What will you be showcasing at 100%?
My Hall Stand. It is made up of three functional products and offers a unique alternative to the conventional hall stand by playing with the raw visual qualities of exposed pipe work found in most domestic environments. I enjoy experimenting with our associations of well-known objects and forms and presenting them in an entirely new context. There is always potential to re-work and breathe new life and function into items that have been in existence for some time.
What are you hoping to get from the exhibition?
As a Cornwall based designer you don’t often get opportunities to put your work in front of so many influential people from the design industry and to reach those vital business contacts in London and across the UK.
Hall Stand could be taken forward in various directions and I think 100% Design is the perfect show to realise the potential of this product, be it architectural applications, retail or commissions. After launching it as a prototype in Milan earlier this year I made some contacts with interested manufacturers so I am hoping to build on that. I will then be able to compare what I could achieve by licensing the design to self production.
Since Milan I feel a lot more confident that I can build a sustainable business but, to a certain extent, this relies on doing shows like 100% Design, getting to an international audience and constantly working on building my contacts list.
What is the most useful aspect of Hidden Art Cornwall for you?
Having exhibited with Hidden Art in Milan in 2006 I realise the real benefit of exhibiting as part of a group. You are on a platform that has the credibility of the Hidden Art banner and, most importantly, you can learn from other people who have similar aspirations. The variety of work on the Hidden Art stand is always a breath of fresh air in what is a very commercial environment and offers visitors something special that they won’t find in the rest of the show.
And what’s next?
Hopefully Hall Stand will be a success at 100% Design and keep me very busy over the next few months. I’m also working on a new range of products that I aim to launch on the Hidden Art E-shop in time for Christmas.
