Temper Forte by James Guerrisi and Pier Carthew.

Work Shop 4 Cabinet by Fiona Lynch.

Bright Things Medium by Jordan Flemming.

Sydney creative James Guerrisi of G UE. Studio and Melbourne photographer Pier Carthew have collaborated on a dystopian photo shoot, shining a light on the many talented players—both established and emerging—of Melbourne’s thriving design scene.

The project, titled ‘Temper Forte’ is a play on the Italian phrase ‘Semper Forte’ which translates to Forever Strong. Combining ‘Temper’—a metallurgy process of improving the characteristics of metal—with ‘Forte’—a thing at which someone excels—the editorial piece projects the objects into a dark and futuristic visual scape.

Exploring elements of the dystopian futurism of the 1980s, references to the architectural movements of minimalism and materiality pair naturally with the work of locals including Volker Haug, Brud Studia, Jordan Fleming, Fiona Lynch, Another Bureau of Design, Cordon Salon and Dalton Stewart.

The set is minimal with makeshift plywood walls in hues of black, glossy floors and chrome screens. Jordan Fleming’s powder blue mushroom lamp from her Bright Things collection surprises with its tactile expression and unpredictable hand-built nature.

Jordan Fleming Launches Bright Things Lamp Collection.

Using the tactile and uncontrollable characteristics of plaster as a guiding force, Jordan embraces how the material holds a fingerprint.

The Curiosity Cabinet, designed by Ella Saddington in collaboration with metal sculptor and armourer Sam Bloomfield, feels like it ripples against the dark background, absorbing and reflecting the surrounding materiality. The collaboration explored fluting techniques to mould the shape plate metal. Similar to bias cutting for garment manufacture, the fluting depth, shape and direction all impact how the material will form the ‘body’.

Dalton Stewart’s Earth Table utilises simple materials and assemblage to create an object that exists in the space between art and design.

The brushed metal objects of Volker Haug, Brud Studia, Fiona Lynch and Another Bureau of Design feel right at home in their sleek surroundings, displaying craftsmanship and refinement through form and materiality.

Another Bureau of Design Relaunches the Corner Collection.

Inspired by children’s naïve line drawings, the Corner Collection by the Melbourne-based studio is a seating collection with architectural forms reminiscent of gable-roofed houses.

Curiosity Cabinet by Cordon Salon.

Heavy Shelf by Brud Studia. Form 1 Floor lamp by Volker Haug.

[Images courtesy of James Guerrisi. Photography by Pier Carthew.]