It's great to have a good sprinkling of boys at Norwich Makers Market and Andrew Cunningham's minimalist product design using a beautiful colour palette is an absolute delight so it was great to hear a little more about his process -
NMM - What do you make/design and what is your background?
I studied industrial design at university (way back in 2001) with an idea of going into product/transportation design but my passion for wood and furniture took over those aspirations (lack of employment opportunities swayed my decision as well) and I started designing and then making wooden furniture and home ware accessories.
I studied industrial design at university (way back in 2001) with an idea of going into product/transportation design but my passion for wood and furniture took over those aspirations (lack of employment opportunities swayed my decision as well) and I started designing and then making wooden furniture and home ware accessories.
NMM - Where are you based and could you describe a typical working day.
I am based in Norwich and frustratingly my typical working day is stuck behind a computer for my day job so evenings and weekends are the only times I have to make my designs. Because of this arrangement I tend to make smaller designs so I can get them online and featuring on my folksy shop quicker. If time allows I try and make larger designs, but for now I am just expanding my current range of clocks and coat racks. as fitting in 2/3 hours every evening making isn't always possible. So time organisation is vital and being productive is important.
I am based in Norwich and frustratingly my typical working day is stuck behind a computer for my day job so evenings and weekends are the only times I have to make my designs. Because of this arrangement I tend to make smaller designs so I can get them online and featuring on my folksy shop quicker. If time allows I try and make larger designs, but for now I am just expanding my current range of clocks and coat racks. as fitting in 2/3 hours every evening making isn't always possible. So time organisation is vital and being productive is important.
NMM - How long have you been making/designing?
Coming on for 4 years now
Coming on for 4 years now
NMM - What inspires your style?
People and the way they live their life’s basically. Design is all about people really so the way they interact with objects, their daily routines and individuality inspire me. As well as the wood itself and how that can dictate how a design will come across and take shape. Minimalism plays a big part in my designs as well, I like the idea of an object having a minimal amount of ‘fuss’ and just having the bare functional elements to make it perform as intended.
People and the way they live their life’s basically. Design is all about people really so the way they interact with objects, their daily routines and individuality inspire me. As well as the wood itself and how that can dictate how a design will come across and take shape. Minimalism plays a big part in my designs as well, I like the idea of an object having a minimal amount of ‘fuss’ and just having the bare functional elements to make it perform as intended.
NMM - Which other designers do you admire?
The bouroullec brothers continue to produce outstanding designs that are material centred and interaction based. Barber and Osgerby have produced stunning designs of late as well. But I also admire less known designers such as tom raffield.
The bouroullec brothers continue to produce outstanding designs that are material centred and interaction based. Barber and Osgerby have produced stunning designs of late as well. But I also admire less known designers such as tom raffield.
NMM - What is it you like about trading at Norwich Makers Market?
Reaching a diverse and culture rich demographic of thoughtful consumers who care about where their purchase is from and how it’s made, Norwich is a young forward thinking city with a strong individual identity reflected in the people. I hope my designs cater for their needs and broad range of styles.
Reaching a diverse and culture rich demographic of thoughtful consumers who care about where their purchase is from and how it’s made, Norwich is a young forward thinking city with a strong individual identity reflected in the people. I hope my designs cater for their needs and broad range of styles.
NMM - Where else do you sell and how can people keep track of your work?
My Folksy shop shows my current range of designs that I sell and my website shows work that I have done in the past. I also have some of my designs in 'the giggly goat' shop in the fabulous Norwich lanes and if you go further afield you can find my clocks for sale in 'the biscuit factory' in Newcastle upon tyne.
My Folksy shop shows my current range of designs that I sell and my website shows work that I have done in the past. I also have some of my designs in 'the giggly goat' shop in the fabulous Norwich lanes and if you go further afield you can find my clocks for sale in 'the biscuit factory' in Newcastle upon tyne.