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Creative Originals
Judson Beaumont, founder of Straight Line Designs Inc. in Vancouver, creates one of a kind whimsical furniture pieces and commissions. Judson was most recently recognized for his creative excellence with a 2009 BC Achievement Awards for Applied Arts and Design.
DQ spoke with Judson about designing children’s furniture.
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Q: How do you approach designing children’s furniture?
Each client is as unique as the furniture that is built for them. The staff at Straight Line Designs likes to include the clients as much as possible from the initial sketch and colour selection to the installation. Both verbal and visual communications are very important because it keeps the clients updated to ensure there are no unwanted surprises.
Straight Line Designs also work very closely with other companies, designers and institutions to create custom features and environments.
Q: Do you have a design philosophy?
I’ve always strived to make furniture and environments interesting, whimsical and fun! Childlike, cartoon imagery and design has been a great influence by kids and their liberal acceptance of the bizarre to appeal to both kids and adults.
My rule is: if you can draw and design it, you can build it. I love it when someone tells me that, “You cannot build that” or “No one would want that.” These words only encourage me more.
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Q: How do you come up with design ideas?
The challenge is to design pieces that are new and inspiring.
The most important part of a design idea is to take furniture away from a lifeless object, give it a personality, a name, and bring it to life while always maintaining its functionality.
I think the problem with children’s furniture today is too many people try to take grownup furniture and make it small.
I always begin my designs by asking myself what would a child like. Kids are always drawn to bright colors and off angles, it brings in a sense of the surreal. The best part about being a kid is being able to separate reality, and create a world where anything can happen. I try to make that ideal a possibility.
Q: What are some trends you’re seeing?
Most of the furniture trends for kids that I have seen recently involve more natural products and finishes, environmentally friendly with very clean lines.
Q: What are some challenges with designing children’s furniture?
The hardest part about designing children’s furniture is that you need to find a way to make it timeless. People that want to buy a unique and signature piece for their child want it to last and possibly hand it down to future generations. You need to be sure that your designs can grow with the child and stay relevant to the design era.
I hope that my furniture is recognized as unique, creative, and original. I also hope that my furniture will help inspire and innovate the minds of the young and the old to try a different approach towards their ideas and make them come true. |
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