23 August 2010

The Quench Collective

6 Brisbane-based designers are on a mission to promote Queensland design. Indesignlive talks to leader Jason Bird.

We talk to team leader Jason Bird about the idea behind the new design collective made up of Alexander Lotersztain (Derlot Studio), Jason Bird (Luxxbox), Marc Harrison (Husque), David Shaw (Street & Garden Furniture Co.) and Surya Graf and Bjorn Rust (Snack On).

How did the idea for Quench come about?

We are all friends – the design world is a small playground. We have fun collaborating on many and varied design projects in an informal way, so we thought we would like to create a collective that took our design sensibilities to the world stage. 

jason birf

Tingle designed by Jason Bird

What motivation has drawn together the designers collaborating on this project?

You could say that each of us in the Quench team is obsessed by design – we eat, drink and breathe it. It occupies our days and nights. We are all driven in a similar way by our work so the Quench project seemed like an obvious vehicle to bring us together as a group with a group focus for our work – with a firm business objective, expanding our global presence. 

alexander lotszetain for derlot

Hext Table designed by Alexander Lotersztain

In October Quench will be showcasing special designs at The Tokyo Design Tide during Tokyo Design week. What message will Quench take to Japan?

Quench is Queensland, Quench is refreshing, Quench is design. Queensland’s best design talent is here to show our world class design. 

jubes sofa

Jubes Sofa designed by David Shaw

How did Brisbane come to be a global design hub?

Many factors – good universities, a good climate, which inspires creativity and a good local community of manufacturers. The current State Government has been proactive in nurturing local design for a number of years now – industry is starting to realise the commercial benefit of design and this now is flowing out to the global market.

Husque designed by Marc Harrison

Husque designed by Marc Harrison

How has design revitalised the sunshine capital?

We are all designer makers and whilst in the past it has been difficult to do what we do full time and earn a living, Queensland, due to increasing public awareness of design, is making it possible to actually create and flourish.

So now we have the network effect of the market demanding product, engaging creatives who produce and in turn grow the market and design awareness.

Crease Chair designed by Surya Graf

Crease Chair designed by Surya Graf

Where would you like to see Quench in the future?

Quench will continue to evolve – our drive is to produce exceptional design, challenge the local community with our ideas and events and venture further a field to showcase our work globally.

Quench
quench-design.com

Speaker Glass designed by Bjorn Rust