Self-Starter: David Hardwick

David Hardwick’s Miss Cesko table series was the first product developed by his Hardwick and Cesko brand, and is a modern re-interpretation of crochet patterns on doilies.

A year after he was a finalist in the 2011 Launch Pad program, the series has been expanded to include more colours and finishes and is due in stores countrywide at the end of March.

While Launch Pad was certainly a great first contact with the industry for David, he says that to get his prototype picked up he had to contact manufacturers directly, as “sitting back and waiting for the phone to ring wasn’t working”.

At first unsure about his path after high school, David says, “within a week of being at the College of Fine Arts (COFA) I was hooked…. This was the perfect mix for me, the combination of philosophical thought with a practical application”.

Since then his career has been varied, but he has stayed true to his desire to “make good design and quality products accessible to a wider audience”.

David’s inspiration comes from a keen eye for environments and people and the way they interact (he says he likes the way comedians think, “trying to intrigue, challenge and delight”) and this is reflected in his current project – a modern bureau for the laptop age that can close up to hide clutter when not in use.

When asked about what it’s like for emerging designers in Australia, David’s main comment is that there is a need for more occasions where designers can collaborate with each other and manufacturers, and that young designers need more chances to engage with the community for feedback and encouragement.

Hardwick and Cesko
hardwickandcesko.com.au