Studio Equator take a proactive approach to design. We chat to designer, Creative Director and Owner, Carlos Flores about his practice.

• Where are you based?

Cremorne

• How would you describe your practise in a few words?

Studio Equator is a multi-disciplinary design agency that specialises in interior design, graphics and web design. Our focus is on return on design investment, using a creative and strategic approach.

• What sets your practise apart?

We pride ourselves on creating strategic designs that result in measurable outcomes. With each new project, we ensure that our concepts and final designs truly categorise the brand, the intentions and meet the clients needs to guarantee a return on investment overall. Taking a more proactive approach, we consider ourselves more a creative partner than a service supplier.

• Has your firm developed a style or philosophy over the years? How would you describe this?

Our style is based on a creative process which is different for each client and each project. It’s difficult to have a formula in order to generate ideas as each project is different, works on different scales and combines a number of creative processes. Its our ability to foresee what processes are required for each brief and to apply our philosophy to the design process.

Our philosophy is simply to ensure we look at our core values as a design firm and individually for each project and to make sure we look at the whole picture from start to finish. Applying good design techniques and aiming to maintain a sustainable practice was key in establishing the Studio over the years.

• What do you believe to be the main forces and challenges for the practice of architecture? What do you think they will be in the future?

The design industry will always see challenges within economy and technology. Both these points are outside forces which do and will always effect the industry.

Having the ability to be flexible is another strong challenge; to be flexible with our clients, within our projects and within the workplace. Being a multidisciplinary design agency, in particular, it is important to see through each element of a project in order to remain on top and in control.

Furthermore, the most important factor as a design firm is to stand out and have a point of difference. It is the ability to establish a truly innovative practice that is able to adopt to current trends and set future trends within a competitive market.

• In what ways have you seen the profession of architecture change since you entered the industry? Are these good or bad?

Clients expectation are for firms to be able to provide a total service in order to develop a space or a product. Our role has proven that we need to now exceed from the 3D space by means of involving digital and graphic components to our designs. We need to adapt to this idea of the blurring of various disciplines, not just focus on architecture, but understand how all aspects of design behave. This is a good thing as this brings better value and a better chance of success in an already complicated world.

• What are your plans for the future?

The aim is to establish a well-respected firm with the ability to expand and shrink when needed to allow us to grow. We plan to maintain a sustainable practice that remains relevant at street level, to service growth to start up businesses and build upon the grounds of the corporate sector using design as a strategic approach.

• What advice do you have for aspiring architects or designers?

Love what you do. Do it for the right reasons. Be kind to others.

Studio Equator
studioequator.com.au