BrandCulture Creative Director Stephen Minning has been creating branded environments and pioneering new concepts for wayfinding in the built environment for over a decade
September 17th, 2012
Your top 3 influences.
Well I’d say we are all influenced by culture but I grew up in North Africa, England, Dubai and Singapore so I’m intrigued of the differences in how they translate to each other but still have the same core values holding them together. I use this understanding to comprehend and interpret corporate brand cultures. Graphically, I have trouble with haphazard ideas with no foundation to the brand, I believe in simplicity, consistency and structure. I am inspired by the sea’s underwater gardens, it makes me feel alive and feel free in its weightless grasp.
The moment you knew you wanted to be a designer.
Drawing a ford GT40 when I was eight…. and an underwater city.
Favourite local landmark/building.
Renzo Piano building on Goulburn street, Sydney and Nielsen Park in Vaucluse
Favourite material.
Wood, warm, natural, tactile…there is way too little of it around us anymore.
Favourite international landmark/building.
The Tjibaou Cultural Center in Noumea, a Pacific island territory in New Caledonia designed by Renzo Piano
Biggest career moment.
Knowing I couldn’t be a hands on designer anymore given my career decision and feeling a part of me slip away forever.
Dream project to work on (real or imaginary).
Contextual space engineer – must be a versatile and innovative designer with a vision for improving quality of life for populations of Multiplex occupants. The project is to create the ’ideal’ working and living environment, a defining cultural centre to put Rio ahead of any other country by a decade at least. The environment must cater to emotional needs above and beyond that of basic functions delivered currently within buildings. The users of the space must feel safe and familiar but also motivated and inspired not only by the structure, traffic flow and facilities but also by communicating via the infrastructure and immediate environment. Apply here… Aston Martin and Penthouse included as part of package – 5 year contract.
Dream person to collaborate with.
Philippe Starck – artistic design genius
Favourite decade of design.
This decade of course!
Favourite chair.
My Eames Lounger has been my companion for many a thoughtful evening with my iPad and a bottle of vino 😉
#1 concern for the design industry in the coming decade.
Design is great but ideas are everything.
Don’t forget to think… take a moment to understand why you do what you do.
Which items in the workplace can you not live without?
My office plant, my Nespresso machine & the 1920 printers bench and draws in the studio.
The most unusual/interesting thing about the way you work.
I am compassionate to real needs but ruthless with superfluous design.
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