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Faye Toogood is a British artist working in a diverse range of disciplines, from sculpture to furniture and fashion. In this episode she discusses topics such as; how ideas come to fruition, challenging her personal status quo and finding the purpose in your designs.
During our conversation with Faye Toogood, we delved into various aspects of her career and personal journey as a designer. Here's a recap and highlights of our discussion:
Inspirations: Faye draws inspiration from various sources, including art, nature, and everyday life. She finds beauty in the imperfections and rawness of materials, often incorporating them into her designs.
The Role of Mentorship: Faye had the privilege of being mentored by influential designers like Tom Dixon and Terence Conran. Their guidance and support played a significant role in her development as a designer.
The Magic of Design: Faye described the process of creating design as similar to giving a gift. The act of designing and presenting an object to others is like giving a present and being excited about their reaction to it.
Chasing Success: While Faye acknowledges the challenge of replicating past successes, she emphasized that the driving force behind her work is her love and passion for design. The process and journey of creating, rather than the final destination, are what truly matter to her.
Imposter Syndrome: Faye admitted to sometimes feeling like a fraud in the room. Despite her success, she doesn't see herself as the ultimate designer and believes there are others who do it better. However, she remains focused on doing her best and following her creative path.
Nurturing Creativity: Faye advised young creatives to create a bubble for themselves, disconnecting from social media and surrounding themselves with books and learning about other people's work. She also emphasized the importance of embracing boredom and not worrying too much about what others think, as it can inhibit creativity.
Overcoming Challenges: Faye discussed the challenges of scaling a business and maintaining the nimbleness of a small studio. Trusting and surrounding herself with passionate and talented individuals has been crucial in navigating these challenges.
Balancing Work and Family: Faye, as a mother of three, highlighted the importance of finding a balance between work and family life. She values her family and studio as a team, where everyone plays a part in the creative process.
Finding the Right Team: When hiring new team members, Faye looks for individuals who can work well in a team, are adaptable, kind, and brave. Skills can be taught, but the approach to learning and problem-solving is what she values most.
Passing on Creativity: Faye's eldest daughter shows a similar creative inclination, and Faye hopes to guide her in channeling her creativity effectively. She believes in not pigeonholing creative children and encouraging them to explore various interests alongside their creative pursuits.
Recommended:
Book: "The Dictionary of Color Combinations" by unknown (a Japanese book on color combinations that has inspired Faye's return to using color in her designs).
Film: "Man on Wire" (a documentary film about Philippe Petit's daring high-wire walk between the Twin Towers in 1974, which Faye finds inspiring).
Overall, our conversation with Faye Toogood shed light on her creative process, the challenges she faces, and her perspective on the importance of staying true to oneself as a designer. Her passion, humility, and dedication to her craft were evident throughout the discussion.
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