Little Trace Of // Tom Fereday.

Tom Fereday is an industrial designer based in Sydney. His design studio, Fereday Design, is multi-disciplinary, creating furniture, products and spaces. Fereday Design is all about innovation and products that use the environment as “a positive constraint to guide intelligent and thoughtful design outcomes.” His dedication to an understanding of materials and manufacturing process has recently won him the 2014 Space + Moooi Design Residency. Today he’s here to answer a few questions about his work and upcoming adventures in The Netherlands.

The Vena lounge chair was developed in collaboration with Herman Miller Asia Pacific R&D.

Tom’s sketchbook.

+ Hi there Tom, welcome to Yellowtrace and thank you for taking the time to e-chat. Could you please tell us a little bit about yourself – when did you first decide that you wanted to become a designer and what path lead you to where you are today?

After attempting to study Graphic Design at Art College I realized that designing products was where my real passion lay. I dropped out and began an industrial design course at the University of Technology Sydney. Through this course and the amazing people I met there my career began, working for design consultancies and furniture manufacturers in parallel to my course.

Geome table.

Jack’s table.

+ How would you describe your design approach and your aesthetic? What is fundamental to your design practice – your philosophy and your process?

I try to convey an honest design process which celebrates the materials and manufacturing processes behind the product instead of hiding them away. By using the environment as a positive design constraint to guide intelligent and thoughtful design outcomes I strive to create pieces which connect with people through natural, tactile finishes and refined design details.

+ You recently won the 2014 Space + Moooi Design Residency. How awesome is that!? Could you tell us a bit about your experience with these awards – why do you think you were the successful designer?

It’s really hard to say. I took a very ‘hands on’ approach to the project and prototyped designs along with the design presentation for the award. I think perhaps this helped to convey the design and/or my own way of working on furniture design projects.

Spline flat-pack pendant light.

+ Other than spending an awesome summer in Europe (you lucky duck!) what are you hoping to get out of the residency and you time at Moooi?

I will be getting a rare insight into the product development of Moooi products, meeting with some of their suppliers and working alongside the very talented Moooi team. For me, I am excited at the opportunity to work with team and to learn from their expertise of developing beautiful products which also manage to be successful in the market.

+ Who or what are some of your influences? What other designers and creatives do you admire?

I am inspired by many designers often in varying fields which explore materials and manufacturing processes in new ways to create innovative designs. I think the work of Benjamin Hubert is a great example of this.

Tom sketching in his studio.

Tools of the trade.

LET’S GET REAL!

+ What’s the best mistake you have ever made?

In 2011 I was commissioned by Herman Miller to produce a furniture piece which didn’t go into production. Although this was of course a big disappointment I took a great deal from this design experience working with a big company and learnt a lot.

+ Your most treasured belonging?

My bicycle, I cycle everywhere.

+ What’s one thing other people may not know about you?

I am a twin.

+ I can’t start my day without…

Coffee.

+ It’s not very cool, but I really like…

Fraiser.

This Yellowtrace Promotion is brought to you in collaboration with Space Furniture.

[Images courtesy of Tom Fereday.]