Mal White

Specialized in Design.

Mal White

About Mal White

Sitting under a magnificent old branched tree, an umbrella of nature, I sit upon nature's green carpet humbly glancing at the wilderness beyond. Bees hum and settle on yellow flowers, their sacks of nectar, almost drunk with their excessive hoard. Sad though, their life is programmed into their DNA, moving in zig zag paths around grass blades, rain, and anything that wants to eat them. We live in a similar world... zig zag paths, highs and lows, unpredictable events, catastrophes and more, yet we have choices and we can move away from patterns, predictability and rules. We have the abilty to change or challenge this through design and art. New ideas challenge the old and seed further new directions. How lucky I am to be human, creative and willing to challenge, and forever being part of the growing hive.

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
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Interview with Mal White

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
Ever since I was a young child I have loved the smell of crayons and paint and applying the layers to paper, animals and my parents walls. I spent most of my spare time as a child doing drawing or painting. I also loved to make things out of wood in my Dad’s old shed, and destroy what little tools he had left. I did really well in art and technical drawing at school, and decided to pursue that in some form or other when I left. I started out silkscreen printing my illustrations at home using a home made silk screen printing mechanism which I had built and eventually got my first commercial silkscreen printing job through a family friend and well-known artist, Ted Dutch. This basically started me off on a career in the printing and design industry.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
Two years ago I decided it was time for me to leave the design agencies and work from home so I could experiment more with different types of medium. My studio is small but comfortable and yes, very cluttered. I have little bits of paper everywhere with ideas, and many half finished trials and tribulations which remind me there is never enough time.
What is "design" for you?
Design to me is all about problem solving and most importantly aesthetics. I am also of the belief that 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
I have a technical brain so I love working on the bones of an idea and seeing it through to fruition. I get the biggest enjoyment out of designing exhibition stands particularly as this allows me to see the final product of my work in a three dimensional space.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
The project I am most proud of are the laser cut panel designs I created recently for a company called ‘The Outside’ featuring North Island and South island flora and fauna. It was a bit of a learning curve for me in terms of working out how to illustrate using interlinking positive and negative detailing, allowing for the fact that anything within the illustration that was too thin or too long would either fall off or bend, even out of 5m thick steel. The work has featured on the series ‘The Block NZ’, in the Habitat Magazine, and displayed at the recent Home Show in Auckland… I also have several giant laser cut panels in my own back garden.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
After working as a commercial silkscreen printer I moved on to prop making for a larger retail chain called Farmers Trading Company. They were focussed on a new initiative called 'Stores of the Future' and I was heavily involved in designing (and building) innovative props for all the stores as well as being involved in the famous Santa Parade that the company ran every year. My first thing I designed was a series of interchangeable props for displaying products etc. I did all the technical drawings and visuals for these and then built them with the rest of my team.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
I love working in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator and equally love working with pencils, crayon and pen.
When do you feel the most creative?
I usually feel most creative in the morning when I have had to coffees and a long walk... my brain is buzzing with ideas.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
As a graphic person I concentrate more on the overall rendering of an idea and see this through to the final completed design. My background in the industry means I can put on 'different hats' in order to complete a project.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
I have a lot of mixed emotions dependent on the particular project I am working on. If it is something I really don't wan't to do then often I just switch my brain to 'automatic' and just get on with it until it is complete, whereas if it is a project I am excited about I will often spend a little more time perfecting it and to the nth degree.
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
I am often amazed, ecstatic, and relieved. I have a tendency to have low self esteem which I think is inherent when being a creative person... we all seem to need a lot of love and compliments to help drive us to do more.
What makes a design successful?
A design is successful if it has answered the brief, fulfils the criteria, is an improvement of the former, and most importantly the client is happy with it.
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
Design not only needs to look good, but it needs to lift the heart and the mind, it needs to make me want to run out an buy one. Clever design can often have hidden aspects to it that are not realised straight away and so it is important to NOT judge a book by it's cover, but to hear a bit about the story to really appreciate the hidden aspects.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Now more than ever I think designers play an important and valuable role in trying to improve the current state of the world and by working together with other equally important industries we have the ability to approach problems in a whole new way which complements nature and the environment as apposed to actually destroying it.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
As technology evolves I think we are seeing a lot more new directions particularly in VR (Virtual Reality) AR (Augmented reality) software which allows designers to create in an entirely new space with infinite possibilities... where this will go, nobody really knows.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
I have only recently started working for myself after nearly 30 years working for design agencies. As of late I have been building a pottery kiln and equipment with plans to create clay sculptural works so I hope to have an exhibition in the next year or so combining wood and/or clay as my medium.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
Nature is my biggest inspiration. I like to include as much of the flowing lines, organic and natural effects as possible within an idea. Nature is perfect and adaptable in most instances, so I like to think I am adaptable to most briefs, but I am human and admit I am not perfect but try to be.
How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
I have always had a sense of humour, and at any opportunity I like to inject a bit of that humour into my illustration work mostly. My design work on the other hand is a lot more about problem solving and aesthetics. My style has had to adapt over the years to follow trends and occasionally break them. The illustration work I do for agencies tends to be of a more commercial level, particularly the Photoshop illustrations, so I adapt my style to fit the brief. The creative work I do for my own enjoyment is a lot looser in style, and I love to introduce quirky loops and the koru into my style when I can. I also like to experiment with different materials and techniques which often end in either total disaster or a pleasant surprise.
Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
I live in a beautiful area of New Zealand called the Waitakeres. There are a lot of native trees and bird life here for inspiration. As a small country in the middle of no where we have to be a little more innovative and have a diverse set of skills in order to be seen. I feel quite proud that as a small country we have managed to make ourselves internationally known for our contribution to Science, Art and Technology. The down side to being a designer in New Zealand is that it seems quite hard to make money and food and housing here can be quite pricey.
How do you work with companies?
I work independently but considering their approach and direction. My skills allow me to wear many hats which gives me the edge I need to get the project done.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
All designers have their strengths and weaknesses, but I believe that working within a team helps to iron out those weaknesses and ultimately strengthens a designers skills. A good designer is one who can bring ideas to the table and has the ability to articulate those ideas well. They then need to be able to bring those ideas to life using the resources they have.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
I like to do research prior to beginning the solid thought process around the design. This usually gives me the background history, competitors, references and possible direction to resolving an idea. I then like to have plenty of coffee to get my brain working and I start playing around with ideas to see how they might work etc. If something jumps out at me I work on it further until I feel it ticks the brief. I may do two or three possible directions in order to get client buy in as we all know that just because it is a designers favourite direction, doesn't mean the client will love it too.
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
1. Philippe Starck alarm clock 2. Apple I Mac computer 3. Nood Bamboo clock 4. Namco (retro) foot stool 5. Dremel Drill press
Can you describe a day in your life?
I go to the cafe for coffee number 1, I then go for a 10km walk, followed by another coffee. I get home and I check on my rabbits. I then begin my day by checking my social media apps and emails. and then settle in to designing and/or illustrating dependent on the client requests. Later in the day my cat usually starts to demand her food (usually 3 hours before her dinner time). As I am working away (trying to ignore my cats demands) I am also thing about what to cook for dinner (apparently men are multitaskers after all). I end my day with cooking a meal for my wife and I and then relax and watch a little TV and more often than not I am still thinking about projects I am working on that day. Good night!
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Observe, learn and listen and then relearn. The world is constantly changing and technology of today will be replaced by the technology of tomorrow, but still the same fundamentals will apply. By building a solid set of skills you will be better prepared for the future. I have found personally that experimentation with a concept is the best way to push forward. The biggest challenge today is that a lot of projects are budget driven and time-poor which places more pressure on a designer to think outside the square. But be brave and be prepared for failure as well. Not everyone can get it right the first time.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
The positives aspects of being a designer are: Recognition, fame, appreciation, inspiration, drive and ambition The negative aspects are: Rejection, budget driven, expense, software upgrades (regularly), lack of sleep, tight deadlines, high rent
What is your "golden rule" in design?
Never assume that a client will love your design just because you have followed a brief and ticked all the boxes… clients have their own likes and dislikes too.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
I always have pieces of paper handy so I can scribble down ideas. Pinterest is a very useful resource and I have an abundance of art gear to play with along with my faithful iMac computer.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
I do a lot of my thinking around ideas when I am out doing exercise, having a coffee or simply gardening. When you are relaxed I find the ideas come more smoothly.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
As long as a piece of string... it really depends on the project which generally in my case varies considerably.
What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
Can you create this thing out of thin air... and I then pick up my magic wand and say yes.
What was your most important job experience?
When I was working at a Design company in New Zealand as a designer back in 2003, I was given a design project where I had to design multi-lingual training cards for a company called Johnson Diversey in the UK. It was a resounding success and as a result I become the Art Director for a small team within the agency and we specialised in creating all the promotional and training material for this project overseas. I was sent over to England along with the account manager to meet the Johnson Diversey team and visit all the various sectors that we would be designing material for. This was a fantastic role for a small NZ design company allowing us to start working in new innovative directions such as 3D floortography.
Who are some of your clients?
I do a lot of work for design agencies in New Zealand for their clients which include Vista Group, Vista, Veezi, Auckland City Council, Habitat Magazine, QBE etc The rest of my clients are generally one-off projects. I am currently working on custom designed projects for several clients including graphics for the front facade of a new building being built.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
I like designing exhibition stands and furniture for overseas as I love the technical aspect to this. Often I will be involved in the high resolution graphics that need to be rendered for these stands as well.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
I am keen to established myself as a artist (before I get too old) and I am keen to have an exhibition hopefully in the next year or so with some exciting ideas I have in mind.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
I generally work on a project myself but parts of it can involve a team if and when required. Working with a team is great as I can get some feedback on work I am doing whereas working along in isolation means I rely on my cat for feedback... her priority is just the food.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
I am excited about an idea to fuse NZ and Asian inspired cultures together in my artwork. I have been doing up an old pottery kiln so I can potentially fire 3D pieces to make into a sculptural piece which represents this idea. It is early days yet, so hopefully once I have done some tests I will have a more solid representation to show.
How can people contact you?
People can contact me via my email at Malcolmwhite.artist@gmail.com
Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
My wife and I live in a humble abode in Waitakere New Zealand overlooking forests and the city. We are both very conscious of waste and recycling and eat healthy foods and exercise regularly. We have a quarter acre plot of land in which we have organic hexagonal gardens and a self water greenhouse which I have built out of recycled material. I have built gates and fences out of recycled hardwood palettes and our house runs on solar. In the 18 years we have lived there we have put in native trees and gardens and improved the hard clay soil and now we have bees and native birds starting to come back. If we all thought this way and put a little of our design knowledge to practical use around the home then maybe the world would be a better place.

Extended Interview with Mal White

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
As a designer I was largely self-taught. When I left school I had planned to go to design school but discovered my portfolio thatI had spent months working on had had got lost so I never got in and ended up doing night school classes instead. It was the kick in the pants I needed to pursue some other directions including printing and prop design. I then knocked on the door of one of the biggest design agencies of the time and begged for a job. I worked in a darkroom for a year before once again pleading with the boss to let me do some actual design work… surprise surprise, I did really well and that is how I started out becoming a designer. 30 years on I am now working for myself after many years in highly successful agencies… I decided it was time to move on and start experimenting with art.
How did you become a designer?
I am always looking at things and thinking “is there a better way” so I guess it is basic instinct. Even as a kid I was always creating things in Dad’s shed and loved the feel and smell of wood too. My biggest passion of course is drawing and from year dot I have always loved art tools and sadly even their smell ha ha
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
I chose to become one as it felt like a natural process for me, but I call myself a Graphic Artist as this covers off a lot of facets of my abilities
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
I am designing all the time, if it is at home I am designing an building furniture, kilns, gates, gardens, water diverters etc. If it is for clients it is anything from Exhibition stands, signage, logos etc. I love the technical aspect of design and am always keen to pursue that further.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
I believe young designers need to challenge the norm and not be afraid to try new ideas and very seriously start thinking about the future. More so, I believe that these young designers have an opportunity to focus on creating design based around protecting our environments and working in with other equally important specialist groups such as scientists, technological experts and naturalists, architects etc to better this world we live in.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
A good designer answers the briefs, is pragmatic, precise, and well disciplined in his field. A great designer does all the above but is multi-talented, articulate, and not afraid to try something new.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
Good design becomes a really good design when it not only covers the brief, looks aesthetically pleasing, but also that it also has less impact on the environment, may actually improve ones life, and may have other special qualities as well.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Good design is about saying why should we accept cheap alternatives or rip offs. The world is full of cheap alternatives and rip-offs as it is and we seriously need to educate people on quality that will last.
What is your day to day look like?
I would love to design up upcycled furniture and I would love to design it for anyone as it would be affordable not expensive so there would not be class distinction.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
I really want to get my name out there as an artist and I have some plans underway over the next year or so
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
I have always tried to look at my designs from an observers point of view… I am not perfect and I am always learning and that is most of the fun.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
Phillipe Starck is my favourite designer, followed by Charles Eames
What is your biggest design work?
I love the fly swat by Phillipe Starck and I just love the way it can stand on it’s own, it is simple but quirky with the face image the surface.

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