What it means to be a graduate with Felix Smith Design
Earlier in July, Design Insider took some time to look around the New Designers: One Year In (Formerly One Year On) to check out the curated showcase of the most promising and intriguing designers, studios and entrepreneurs who have recently launched their own businesses after graduating.
The work of Felix Smith Design caught our eye with his passion for exploring natural materials and embracing traditional craftsmanship.
We chatted to him to find out about what it’s like being a graduate in the design industry today.
Where and what did you study?
I graduated in 3D Design at Northumbria in 2017.
How did you feel about finding work straight after you graduated?
I was lucky enough to be offered a job before exhibiting at New designers at Raskl Studio in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Through working with a local manufacturer, I was able to gain experience and a job, which made me feel more relaxed about graduating.
What advice would you give to a recent graduate?
The advice I would give to a recent graduate is to get your foot in the door as early as possible, get in touch with all the brands that have inspired you throughout your university experience. Go to exhibitions and network to gain as many contacts within the industry.
Can you tell us a little about ‘Nomad’- the table you had displayed at New Designers: One Year In.
Named after a community of people who live in different locations, moving from one place to another. This lifestyle is increasing in modern life were people move more regularly.
Designed for modern urban life, where space is valuable and people may move regularly, the Nomad table can fully collapse to reconfigure a space and is easy to store or transport.
The Nomad table reflects how the dining table takes centre stage in daily life. The Hi-macs table top provides a hard wearing, non-porous, scratch resistant surface capable of withstanding all the accidents a busy life throws at us.
What’s different/special about ‘Nomad’?
This table is customisable to help fit in with your space, with a choice of coloured table tops from the Hi-macs lucent collection and coloured beech solid wooden frame.
The combination of bold colours with traditional and modern materials.
How do you feel about your future after One Year In?
Excited, New Designers One Year In was an amazing experience and I would highly recommend it to any emerging designers aspiring for their own design practice. I feel focussed on where my design practice is going and what my targets are.
Felix was selected by this years panel run by curator Rheanna Lingham who commented;