Bold Innovations: Exploring the Quirky Realm of Tom Dixon
Hear the Raw Truth: Tom Dixon, the self-taught design trailblazer whose only A-level didn't hinder his rise to being a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), is back in Berlin, seven years after his last visit. From furniture and lighting, to collaborations with IKEA and Habitat, Dixon's work is widespread and diverse. Yet, in our digitally saturated world, he finds his excitement in design's boundless potential, with the mobile phone being the pinnacle of human innovation for him. During our chat in Fotografiska's chic cafe bar, he also shared his thoughts on the city's free and loose spirit, the contrast between British and German design cultures, and his next groundbreaking project under the ocean.
Back in Berlin: After years of underperforming in Germany, a new CEO with a German background and a penchant for sales has helped Tom Dixon find a niche in the German market. Berlin's eccentric subcultures reminded him of London during his youth, a city that, unfortunately, seems to have lost some of its freedom.
British vs. German Design: When asked about the differences between British and German design cultures, Tom Dixon admitted that he's more about doing and making than philosophizing. However, his design philosophy retrofits itself to the materials, function, and manufacturing process, favoring a casual and playful approach. While British design doesn't take itself too seriously, German design focuses on technical precision and quality—something Tom Dixon appreciates in his collaborations with German manufacturers.
Tomorrow's Design: "Design encompasses everything; it could be anything," says Tom Dixon. As we navigate an increasingly digital age, there is a world of opportunities for designers. Although Tom Dixon hasn't designed a mobile phone yet, his long-term goal is to prove design's relevance in areas like renewable energy and environmental conservation.
Icons to Create: Ever wondered which designTom Dixon would most like to have created? The answer, unsurprisingly, is the iPhone or the next-generation windmill that saves the planet. Moreover, Tom Dixon revealed that his less successful projects have usually served as stepping stones for greater achievements.
Experimentation Over Perfection: Famously, Tom Dixon once filled Trafalgar Square with 500 free polystyrene chairs. Admitting that it was a bad design funded by compromises, he still considers it a valuable experiment that challenged perceptions of polystyrene and demonstrated that one doesn't need to conform to conventional beauty to succeed.
A Coral Mission: Tom Dixon's latest venture takes him under the ocean to combat coastal erosion and help reestablish coral reefs. He works with a foundation in the Maldives, utilizing biologists' heat-resistant concrete that allows coral growth on furniture and larger structures. Currently, he is testing the concept with furniture pieces and hopes to expand the project to save vulnerable coastlines.
Still a Renegade: As a CBE, Tom Dixon doesn't see himself as a renegade, but he does acknowledge that the title provides him a better platform for his work. He still strives for a more practical outcome from his title, like having a horse to wear his commander's uniform—an aspiration that remains unfulfilled for now.
Lifestyle transformation: Embracing the spirit of Berlin, Tom Dixon is keen on integrating his new home with his design philosophy, envisioning a lifestyle transformation that mirrors the city's casual and playful essence, much like London during his youth.
Home-and-garden makeover: In his latest project, Tom Dixon aims to revolutionize coastal protection and coral reef restoration, using innovative biologists' heat-resistant concrete to create furniture and structures that foster coral growth. This initiative, if successful, could pave the way for home-and-garden makeovers that are both eco-friendly and aesthetically appealing.
