We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Cameron Ferry about their original and creative Entertainment Unit design work. Cameron Ferry is an award-winning industrial designer, that makes our world a better place with their original entertainment unit works.
Cameron Ferry ("CF") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Void Entertainment Unit. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
CF : We wanted to create something different. The kind of entertainment unit that had never been seen before. Something that sparked conversation every time people encountered the entertainment unit.
CF : I wanted to create something that I would enjoy interacting with for many many years. I wanted to create a piece of furniture that would eventually become something that was passed on to the next generation. That is why I have chosen the kinds of materials that I did, the construction processes and the lasting form of this contemporary design.
CF : I honestly have none. I would be open to suggestion here. Right now it functions in our home as an entertainment unit, and I would be exceptionally happy if that was the only purpose this design ever served, it would still be a successful piece in my eyes.
CF : Design is a process, but the idea came in an instant. I figure that the fine detail took around about a day or so in total.
CF : Originally I began this process to get our television off the floor. Purely out of necessity (if you can call and television and entertainment unit a real 'necessity'!)
CF : I think if the interest was there for it to go into production, I would certainly like the opportunity to product it myself, as I have wonderful and very talented contacts who would be ready to proceed. However, I would consider all options.
CF : I have a passion for furniture design. Furniture, particularly bespoke furniture, is such a diverse and exciting form of design.
CF : The only inspiration I use was the daytime-running-lights of the Audi Q3. They have a very similar shape to the walnut time component of the piece that 'wraps' over the painted drawers.
CF : I would probably suggest a high-end furniture collector. This would not be easy to mass produce for a mass market due to inefficiency in transportation and the labour costs of such a precise construction.
CF : There is an exceptionally high level of detail that is not fully appreciated in any photographs. There are lots of subtile features that constantly intrigue and catch the eye. It is an exciting piece to interact with.
CF : Void is simply an acknowledgment of the lack of a third drawer. There is a negative, or empty space that is created by keeping one third of the total length open, without any drawer. It initially seems to upset the balance of the unit. However, it allows for the user to interact with the storage and display space more, because not only is the top surface available to display, but a lower level is also created.
CF : Much of the idea was actually developed as I drove, shortly after seeing the Audi Q3. So I would say the most utilised design tool was my imagination. I did sketch a quick image to communicate the idea to my wife, and then moved into CAD to develop and refine the design.
CF : Its appearance. There simply isn't another entertainment unit this looks anything like it.
CF : Thankfully the manufacturer, Alex Rains, is a brilliant and very talented wood worker. He was able to understand the design, interpret the details and respect the importance of even the more difficult aspects of the design to build.
CF : The entertainment unit is a very low tech object in many respects. There are some rather fascinating feature that house technology that would not have been available in years gone by. That is not to say the unit couldn't have looked like it does, it simply would't have functioned in the same way. The push-to-open, soft-close draws runners for example are simple technologies that allow better usability.
CF : No, there was no market research or any analytical research. As I mentioned, it was designed to serve a purpose in my own home.
CF : Difficulty finding a manufacturer who would construct the unit as detailed, and not want to make seemingly small and insignificant changes, that actually would have altered the final outcome to a point that compromise the design too much.
CF : Well all the hard work was completed. The response for anyone who ever saw the unit was overwhelmingly positive and beyond my expectations. So I figured it would be fun to have a go and see how it would rate against a large and talented field of other designs.
CF : It really reenforced that one needs to be patient and not compromise. Continuing to strive for a better solution is always worthwhile.
CF : No, thank you for your time.
