Interview: Deterioration, corrosion and reclamation are my influences says Ryan Frank

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Deterioration, corrosion and reclamation are some of the influences and inspiration behind the London designer Ryan Frank‘s collection of free-range furniture. The frequent use of sustainable and recyclable materials in his designs has resulted in a series of functional, eco-sensitive and often totally unique items.

He is a South African born product designer living and working in East London. After acquiring initial qualification in Cape Town, he moved to Holland. Having worked for a short period for a Dutch product design company, he moved to London to concentrate on his own collection of products.

So people whip yourself as I take you to the roller coaster ride of Frank’s interview with us,

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1. When did you first decide to take a plunge into designing, I mean, please tell our readers something about your design credentials.

Ryan: It was spring 2005, and I had my first major idea….. I decided to do it… make it and exhibit it, not just think about it…. I did it….it was very well received, and then I decided to keep doing it. This was a few years after I finished my design studies at University in South Africa.

2. Who or what has been an influence on your design? How ‘deterioration, corrosion and reclamation’ are behind your collection of free range furniture?

Ryan: I have been influenced by many things and many people, but globally it’s nature v/s urban…….. I desire to be in nature, but work and live in the city this has somehow enhanced the city influence on me. And this is how deterioration, corrosion and reclamation have inspired me and emerged in my work.

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3. At present, the most common technologies for lightweight, high strength, structural parts in furniture manufacturing are polymers with fiber reinforcement (glass, carbon fibers, and so on), sandwich composite constructions (aluminum, polystyrene honeycomb panels), and traditional plastics utilizing form caused stability. What do you say?

Ryan: I say brilliant, bring on new advanced materials…..let the research go on….but what’s important is that the organizations researching and developing them are being responsible with the processes and using materials with eco-credentials.

4. Is there some kind of motif running in your creation, if yes, what is it?

Ryan: Edgy free-range furniture is what I’m trying to achieve with my portfolio of work, not sure if it’s there, not sure if it s a motif, but that’s for the viewer to decide.

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5. To me your designs have a very modern, urban feel to them. Do you design specifically for urban spaces?

Ryan: Not really I just design what comes out of my sketch book, I guess living and working in an urban environment, has its influences.

6. I’m curious to know the decorating style of your home.

Ryan: Trash chic…..most of it is made from found objects and materials from around the neighborhood. My bed base is made from to doors I reclaimed from a skip….my wardrobe are 2 large florist trolleys, from a charity shop…my shelves are made from salvaged timber, my table is made from 2 packing pallets, the roof garden’s flower pots are all made from old pallets and found containers…..the best part was building it all.

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7. Can you describe an evolution in your work?

Ryan: I guess the major difference between my earlier work and my current work is moving away from one-off originals to projects involving larger scale production although I still like to use similar materials and processes.

8. How do you negotiate your research, which, although centered on furniture, can cross boundaries of interest?

Ryan: My research is not very strategic. I get a lot of information from speaking to fellow designers, the internet, and a few books. Often an area of interest will inspire you to research it further, which often leads to other things.

9. Finally, we’d like to have your views on our Hometone.org?

Ryan: Great site…good broad selection of areas covered….nice!

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What crosses your mind when I say the following…

What is your motto?

Ryan: Edgy free-range furniture.

Your inspiration comes from?

Ryan: A good shower.

Do you like to be on the timeless stage or trend-setting stage?

Ryan: Trend setting.

What is your favorite material to work with?

Ryan: Reclaimed material.

What is the trend for materials this year?

Ryan: Recycled.

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Thank you Ryan for sparing out time in doing an interview with us, it is greatly appreciated. I’d also like to wish you luck for all your future endeavors.

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