MILAN-BASED INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER
Based in the design capital that is Milan, Gordon Guillaumier has made a name for himself across various design disciplines, including interior design, furnishing and fittings, exhibition and packaging. Having worked with renowned designers and brands, he has recently collaborated with Moroso to design the new Josephine seating collection, which was unveiled at the Salone del Mobile Milano 2017.
What does good design mean to you?
Good design is something that is timeless – this refers to the aesthetic factor and, more so, the intrinsic quality of the design, which allows the product a longer lifespan. I value timelessness, so I’m fond of designs that look just as good after years of use. There has been a resurgence of vintage design icons, which confirms that good design is evergreen, and is the sustainable way forward.
What are your sources of inspiration?
From art and architecture to travelling and observing human behaviour. Inspiration is also derived from working on new projects with different parameters and new challenges. I’m also inspired by new technologies, which open up new horizons.
How has your varied experience in the different disciplines of design influenced you?
Different design disciplines are of great help to my profession as they broaden my general outlook. For example, I am able to better understand how furniture pieces, especially sofas, “interact” with the space around them, thanks to my experience in interior design and architectural projects.
Tell us about your latest work, the Josephine collection for Moroso.
Josephine is a sofa system with curvy, sexy lines and clean, rounded shapes reminiscent of Scandinavian design. It is named after Josephine Baker, a 1920s’ African-American cabaret icon who was famous for her provocative, yet sophisticated image. The seating is raised off the ground by slender leg supports, for a lightweight look. But it can also be dressed with a fringe, to transform it into something more whimsical.
How is Josephine different from Freeflow, your first collaboration with Moroso?
The Freeflow sofa has a more masculine approach, to suit more commercial spaces. The fluidity of this design is highlighted when several modular components are lined up to express the real nature of this piece. Eight years later, Josephine is an expression of change in my approach as a designer, but it also reflects the changes in the market, which has become more “domestic”.
What would you like to see more of in the design world?
I like to imagine a future where design brands are less obsessed with commercial criteria and more concerned with creativity, research and development; allowing space for experimentation and a pinch of folly.
What advice do you have for aspiring designers?
Forget mastering your computer software skills and go back to basics with manual processes to stimulate your design creativity.
THE MOROSO JOSEPHINE COLLECTION IS AVAILABLE AT XTRA, #02-48 MARINA SQUARE, TEL: 6336-0688, HTTP://WWW.XTRA.COM.SG
