editor’s letter HOMEGROWN.
T
his issue celebrates standout Australian makers and designers, from the budding to the matured. We unveil a range of impressive new homegrown products, while looking at several standout local projects and business practices that have proven successful. In an industry that’s fast moving production offshore to improve on efficiency and the reduction of costs, it’s a standout accomplishment when a business commits to keeping its roots and does so successfully. It’s this kind of commitment that we focus on this season as a new wave of ingenuity springs into step. To represent our theme, we have spoken to some top industry moguls, as well as up-and-coming progressive thinkers in order to present a balanced perspective on how it’s done and how these chosen few are achieving their heights. Volker Haug, the creative genius whose lighting designs exude sheer imagination and intrigue, graces the cover of this issue. His lighting studio located in Melbourne’s creative hub of Brunswick East, is a humble wonderland of vivid objects. Upon our visit to capture this issue’s cover shot, it became prevalent that the team are simply engrossed in locally manufacturing objects that inspire them; committed and content doing what they love, and succeeding through that attitude. Following suit, Makers Lane featured in our Talking Business section, has built up an online community of such artists who appreciate the hands-on approach – a community in which ironically, Volker Haug is part of. Makers Lane provides people with the opportunity to submit a unique design online and then find a listed ‘maker’ who will bring that design to life – a fresh new, progressive business approach that we unpack and examine. We also talk business with the burgeoning creatives making waves at architecture, furniture and lighting studio, Archier. We chat on building an inspired business from the home ground up, while touching on the challenges and pleasures involved in that journey. Further on, F2 Architecture adds elegance to the pages of this issue with its simplistic design of the new Davidson Branding Studio, before blackmilk boasts with industrial chic and aesthetic appeal through the featured interior design project of Soho Restaurant and Bar. Bookmarking this issue, as always, is our fresh new products section – which is sure to spur inventiveness, a running of post and pre-trade show reports and finally our book review, which you will find to be a pleasant read. Enjoy! Elena Papargiris