Interview with David Collins

We are a family run business located in Portland, OR, USA. We are at the starting point really of creating our line of products, first being The Channel Bowl. We are definitely focused on looking at everyday objects to see how they can be improved.

Typically I see design as problem solving to either simplify an experience or provide better use to the user. I also like seeing products on the market that bring humor into our everyday.

Simple everyday use objects.

As this is my first product since creating Luke & Lucy I would have to say The Channel Bowl. I do have a list of many to come but am trying to stay focused on one at a time.

A frying pan

I like the tradition materials that are usually associated with craft, Ceramic, Glass, wood etc.

When I'm relaxed and in good company.

I am very detail orientated and often times need a push to release the design to print or get a prototype made.

Often I feel a sense of eagerness to figure out the problem to the solution I have set myself. Once I feel like I have solved it and the design moves on it is still hard for me to convince myself that that was the best design that I could've done. I often check the initial design intent against what was produced to see how far it has strayed 9 typically due to production limitations).

I appreciate the acknowledgement but still imagine how it could've been better.

If it can make like better. Even for a single user.

It's value to a user.

I feel that ethically sourcing production and material is a good start. I also hope to design products that are looked at more as longer term investments than short lived usage.

I'm excited by what I see in the design field today. I feel that many designers are going alone and taking risks whilst doing a great job balancing, marketing, design, production, and customer relations. All while being ethically grounded.

Seeing someone struggle to use a product or questioning how products that I am using could be better.

I try to keep my designs simple, minimal, and hopefully let them speak for themselves. In the case of The Channel bowl it was definitely a case of allowing form to follow function whilst balancing production capabilities and overall aesthetic.

I'm from the UK but live in Portland, OR, USA. Definitely being in Portland helped fuel me to make my product. It is definitely a maker city.

After sketching a concept I like to research if anything close to it exists. I will buy samples of products in it's category and compare features and values. If I feel my design brings value I will bring the concept into 2d then 3d (printing both) evaluate, tweak, print then source the manufacturing. If there are challenges with production I will brainstorm ways to produce my intent and tweak the design if needed.

Usually I critique the design in terms of it I would buy it or if others would find it usefull

Sketchbook, Illustrator, Rhino, Solidworks, Sub D, Keyshot.

I try to push it when I'm feeling it and not when I'm not

It definitely varies per product.

Evolving new ideas through thumbnail sketches in my sketchbook.

Expand the line whilst maintaining the same design principles.

I constantly run my ideas past designer colleagues as well as friends.

I'm working on a kids version of The Channel Bowl, coming soon.

dave@lukeandlucy.com