HOUNDDOG DESIGN

Hounddog Design is a small contemporary design studio based in East Sussex, focusing on Scandinavian inspired lighting. All designs are developed and hand-crafted to order, in-house. Modern materials having a low environmental impact, are used to provide strength, stability and consistency. Where possible the designs can be customised, giving every client the opportunity for creative input and the chance to own an individual piece meeting their exact requirements.

All products are generally made to order, giving opportunity to engage the client with any customisation requirement. For new or variant designs, I find it best that any initial design work is done with pencil and paper, but during development I quickly move on to 3D modelling software, which provides better aesthetic feedback and evaluation. I work in shared workspace with other makers, so it's always good to get input and discuss ideas.

I try to minimise environmental impact by using sheet materials predominately Finnish birch plywood. This species is both fast growing and from managed sustainable sources. Plywwod construction is stronge and more stable that solid timber and the veneers used to make it are rotary cut, which minimises waste. The design allows for nesting components during manufacture, which also minimises waste. The coloured laminates used are a product called Arpa Bloom which uses Lignin as a natutal bonding polymer. I am in a shared workshop which minimise s energy usage. The lights I produce are designed to be shipped in close fitting cardboard tubes with recycled internal package, and avoiding plastics. I like to think that my designs are built to last, and are not part of the throw-away culture.

I currently have fairly modest ambitions, but would like to evolve a small sustainable company with a focused portfolio, creating designs that are a step away from generic mass production. I would be open to work with other makers or companies, collectively and collaboratively, providing there is a common ethical basis. Eventually I would really like to include young people in any of the processes involved in the venture.