Here, we ask designers to take a selfie and give us an inside look at their life.
Age: 30
Occupation: Designer and maker.
Instagram: @nicolelawrence____
Hometown: Melbourne.
Studio location: Melbourne.
Describe what you make: My practice spans furniture, objects, and lighting. I design and make pieces that are solid in structure yet soft on the eyes. My eponymous studio works on product collections as well as custom and commission works for a range of clients and projects.
The most important thing you’ve designed to date: The release of my first collection that launched at the beginning of 2020. This was a long time coming—building the courage and confidence to put your work out into the world is something that anyone should be proud of. I know I am.
Describe the problem your work solves: Any piece I make is designed with the lifecycle of the product in mind. Not only do I want to make sure the works are unique, beautiful, and well-made, but I also consider (and design for) repairability, refurbishment, and end-of-life.
Every NLS piece can be repaired or refurbished. In an ideal world, each piece is so well looked after, and electrical components last forever, that these steps are never required, but I’m a little more realistic than that and I believe good design should be able to handle what life has to throw at it. I hope my practices prevent bad design from clogging up landfills.
Describe the project you are working on now: Two new lighting collections: The Oro Series and Warp/Weft Series. I’m also in the throes of building a new showroom and gallery space at my warehouse in Preston, Melbourne, to show my work as well as host shows for other artists and designers. This will be open in November.
A new or forthcoming project we should know about: The Oro Lamp series is a result of my process-led design practice with compositional inspiration from the iconic Ouroboros snake symbol. This lamp intends to marry form and function, offering a delicate form to complement the graphic shapes. This series of lamps has been almost three years in development working with both old and new technologies and processes. This lamp is made entirely in Melbourne by yours truly and collaboratively with experts—notably an artisanal glass blower to create hand-blown glass shades designed to cast a warm and calming light.
What you absolutely must have in your studio: A huge bottle of water and my sweet dog, Tig. Her life’s work is getting big bits of cardboard and ripping them into lots of little bits of cardboard. She’s very dedicated and often offers her creations to visitors as gifts.
What you do when you’re not working: Camping or cooking—preferably both at the same time. Or swimming! I love water in all forms and seasons. Also finding silence, whether it’s in the great outdoors or with noise-canceling headphones with nothing playing. I’m a big fan of silence.
Sources of creative envy: Walter Gropius and all the founding members of the Bauhaus school. Their multidisciplinary and collaborative approach to design is very inspiring. And also Grace Jones, she’s an icon!
The distraction you want to eliminate: My phone and anxious thoughts. They’re inextricably linked.
Concrete or marble? Concrete. I’m very utilitarian.
High-rise or townhouse? High-rise, but preferably mid-rise. Melbourne’s urban sprawl is getting out of control. I like the way well-designed small spaces use clever design solutions to get the most out of the space.
Remember or forget? Remember. I remember everything except names.
Aliens or ghosts? Aliens!
Dark or light? Light! Give me morning sun over a late night any day.
