For former Launch Pad finalist Alex Zanda Lee, inspiration comes from all manner of places – you just have to know how to look.
March 19th, 2012
“Inspiration can be found everywhere,” says designer Alex Zanda Lee. “All it requires is seeing things a bit differently.”
Working in the banking industry by day and designing furniture as a creative outlet, Lee describes his career path as being “a bit different from other designers.”
“While some of my colleagues like to do dance classes or yachting for fun, for me [it’s] building and making furniture and products,” he explains. “It is more a creative outlet than a career progression.”
Lee entered Launch Pad in 2010 with his Lady Elizabeth Standard Lamp, and in 2011 with his Belt Chair. The pieces garnered much attention, are in limited production and exhibited in various galleries.
Lady Elizabeth Standard Lamp
Belt Chair
2012, he says, should be an exciting year. “There are a few collaborative design projects I’m involved in, which I can’t say too much about now,” he explains.
Lee has experienced first-hand the positive impact of initiatives like Launch Pad which support emerging designers, and he emphasises the importance of “promoting dialogue between the industry and designer” in the Australian industry.
“The design market is still considered a niche market in Australia in comparison to Europe, where good design is a norm and demanded by the consumer, therefore creating more opportunities for the designer,” says Lee.
He remains positive about public perception of design, however – “from my personal observation,” he explains, “Australian public awareness of good design is slowly but surely growing.
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
An exciting new collaboration involving Autex Acoustics, Willie Weston and Lisa Waup colourfully brings First Nations design to high-performance acoustics.
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s prestigious Kitchen Design Contest (KDC) has celebrated the very best in kitchen innovation and aesthetics for three decades now. Recognising premier kitchen design professionals from around the globe, the KDC facilitates innovation, style and functionality that pushes boundaries.
In this brand new exhibition, GH Commercial’s custom carpet solutions help local artists create joyful installations that each tell a unique story.
Ontera let Sydney designers flex their design muscles at a series of functions at Ventuno on the waterfront during October. Designers from across the city were invited to create unique and fabulous fashion accessories using a felt component incorporated into Ontera’s Envibond backing system. The results amazed the guest judges and Ontera team, showcasing the versatility of the product and the amazing creativity of Sydney’s designers.
The Tiger Translate Global Showcase rolled into Sydney on Wednesday 23 November at Alexandria’s Sun Studios. Guests sipped on Tiger Beer as they enjoyed live music, pumping DJ sets and the work of some of the best up-and-coming street artists from around the world.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Caring for our mental health is paramount these days and architecture and design can lead the way as Hassell shows in its latest project in Queensland.
Industry Lanes by Architectus is a new mixed-use precinct of interconnected office and retail space in character-rich corner of Richmond.