Interview with Nora Voon

Nora Voon ("NV") interviewed on Tuesday, 17 May.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

NV : I've been in design for the last 16 years, working for various designers in the UK. I studied Interior architecture at the Inchbald School of Design in London UK. I've in both commercial and residential design, in addition I also make products such as furniture, lighting and home accessories. Although I've been in this industry now for over 16 years, I still find that you learn new things on every project whether it is discovering a new material to work with or a new innovation on doing things, you're always learning.

How did you become a designer?

NV : I didn't start out as a designer, I was in Finance before but have always wanted to be more creative and loved design since I was very young and working at a bank did not give me the fulfilment and satisfaction I was looking for. I went back to do my postgraduate degree for interior architecture in London, UK. Since then, I've never look back.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

NV : I tackle every project differently and sometimes I do revisit things I've done in the past before. As for the design process I generally look at the brief first and always ask about the budget beforehand because what we recommend in the design concept should reflect the feasibility of costs associated to the project. Then I look at all the elements and also the surrounding space including the country it is in, the climate and the specific requirements of the project as requested by the client. So each interior project is different and subject to budget constraints. As for designing products for our collection, I usually think of a theme first, for example, I have a Take a pill collection where I reference our society in a world where we are all on some form of pharmaceuticals, it is an homage to our current society and the role pharmaceutical companies play. The collection include lighting, ashtrays, trays and cabinets. Each of these items from the collection share the same colour schemes and shapes. We do a lot of research before launching a new product including prototyping, testing (furniture) and we use mock ups like 3D printing and renderings.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

NV : I do get excited with each project whether I'm designing a product or an interior space. I take each project with a clean slate and new eyes and try to bring a certain uniqueness or character into the design concept. I get excited at the beginning of the project because the possibilities are endless, however I also do love the end of a project cycle when all the installations are in place and we have a final product to reveal. As for product design, I can't wait to see the final product in reality. It always put a smile to my face and a satisfied feeling.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

NV : Due to the fact that I'm a self proclaimed art junkie and a travel addict, these two factors alone had honed my skills as a designer in a significant way. Art plays an important role in our industry which really helps when you are doing an interior project for a client. Travelling opens your eyes and will train you to look at things differently. Every country I have travelled to gave me a new perspective on design, whether it was the culture or architecture of the place, or any other influences such as history or climate it taught me something new and approach my designs differently. In addition, travelling will teach you a lot about the details of certain designs. Details are important to consider as that is what makes good design, the little details that adds personality, differentiate your design from others. My biggest influence on my design work is art, colour, and textures. I've always used these elements in my design work with references to the clients' personalities and needs.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

NV : At the moment, Noda Designs is still growing and making our mark in our community. Our goal eventually is to have a lifestyle department within the company that hosts events, create lifestyle products (expanding on our collections within the design spectrum) and expanding our commercial design area. My dream project would be to do work on a film set, something I have never done before and would seem like a good challenge for me. Another dream is to design interiors of aircrafts (private & commercial)

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

NV : Go to trade shows, it's like getting an upgrade to your hard drive mentally. Learn your brands, study them like a bible and then do your own research. Trade shows bring new innovations, new designs and new products into the industry and as designers to stay current we need to know what's new in our industry. In addition to trade shows, travelling as mentioned before changes you as a designer. The more you travel, the more you develop your eyes as a designer. Travelling to different countries hone your eyes to see the different cultures, climates and details of places, objects and details. I go to about 3-4 trade shows a year globally and my knowledge of art, brands and products in the design industry is quite extent.

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

NV : I think that defining your own aesthetics and design style is important to establish yourself. Having an identity in your style is important because eventually you will gain enough experience to elevate your profile and as an industry leader in your field of a particular aesthetics. For example, if you look at Jaime Hayon or Kelly Wearstler, they both have very specific and individual style to their designs, this eventually sets them apart from the rest and gained recognition in the work that they do.

What is your day to day look like?

NV : My day to day includes studio work - drawings, designing, sometimes liaising with trades, clients and customers. Some days I have to go to site to check the progress on the construction, client meetings, and meet new potential clients. Usually I go through emails first thing, getting back to people or sending emails, then I usually have a team meeting to go over the day's work and each of our responsibilities.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

NV : keeping up with trends is important as a designer if you want to know what's current and what seems to get people excited over, however, my designs usually don't follow any trends. Trends come and go and usually date eventually so although it's cool and fun to go along with design trends, I think that finding the right balance is more important than staying trend. Going to trade shows will enhance your brands and product vocabulary.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

NV : Good design doesn't have to be complicated, in fact, it's harder to design something well when the design is simple. The execution and the craftsmanship is key to a well designed product or project. For me, good design means attention to details, user friendly, beautiful and good quality are key.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

NV : Gosh how do I answer that, when you know, you know. lol Usually you'll know if your design is well executed based on the reception/feedbacks you get from the public and your peers.

What is your biggest design work?

NV : There are a few that I'm quite proud, one in particular is the project we did in Israel, a residential home that we designed and built for our client. The project finished in 2013 however, to this day, almost 10 years now, the project is still relevant and remained timeless which is why we don't follow trends. :-) In terms of product designs, we won a few awards for our HQ table ( designed during Covid 2020 and reflected/addressed the need for a change in our design industry during/after the pandemic. We actually won the Bronze award from A' Design in 2021, in addition, we also won the SIT furniture award in USA as well.

Who is your favourite designer?

NV : I don't have a favourite designer as there are too many good ones so I can't decide but I do love the work of some companies that are outstanding in execution and quality. Such companies include Based Upon ( UK), Rosanna Orlandi (Gallery that represents designers), Nilufar Gallery and also Vincent Decotis.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

NV : My favourite city is London where I live half the time. I live between London, UK and also Toronto, Canada. However, I do love Milan and find a lot of inspiration when I'm there, I almost moved to Milan before the pandemic! Culture definitely effects design, how can it not? Your natural environment and background definitely shape you as a person and the work that you do. I'm lucky to have lived in many countries and experienced many different cultures which shaped me in the way I see design. Good design is necessary for the advancement of society because that means we progress as a society by eliminating bad form and function. Good design means efficiency, works well, and is user friendly. For example, look how far mobile phones have come along? They used to be so big like a water bottle and overtime phones became smaller, more convenient to carry around and now that we all have built in cameras in our phones, I feel that life has become more visual!

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

NV : I give a lot of freedom to my designers at the studio, I always believe that to grow we need to think like a team, but it's also giving your fellow colleagues the opportunity to shine and showcase their creativity. When I'm teaching my interns, I throw them in the deep end because I believe that there is no better way to teach than to just do.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

NV : During 2020 when the pandemic hit the world, I was approached by a friend from Australia and her partner in Peru who asked me to help them create an eco business that will help artisans ( particularly in Peru at the time) find work and gain experience because tourism had stopped suddenly and there were a lot of people that had no way of earning income due to roadblocks and supply chain issues. I helped designed a collection of cushions, tapestries, rugs and also outdoor furniture all made sustainably using natural dyes, hand loomed and weaved. In addition to hiring and training these artisans, we pay them with fair trade wages - the collection has done very well since. In general, I think as designers especially now, we need to design consciously and try to reduce waste including using ecofriendly materials as much as possible and also supporting artisans where their crafts are preserved from traditions and history. In our studio, we often hire students as interns to teach and help them gain experience in our industry. We are affiliated with some local universities in this case.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

NV : Winning an award is definitely a high point in any designer's career, it is a validation of your hard work and appreciation of your creativity. In order to stand out as a designer, it's important you participate in competitions because a) it's good to know your peers and what's out there (what designers are thinking) b) elevate your profile as a designer c) exposure to industry affiliates and partners d) gaining trust from clients and customers.

Nora Voon Profile