Kathryn is a recent graduate from RMIT Universities Industrial Design program (Melbourne, Australia). Her fourth year final project is a collection of wearable art called ‘Quinntete – The Gift Series’. Quinntete was part of a year long development of Kathryn’s own design method and practice.
1. Kathryn, Welcome to Design Droplets. Thank you for taking the time to talk with me, could you please give me a quick introduction on yourself.
I’ve finished this degree in my late 20’s, so I’m looking to do some serious career catch up. I’ve travelled quite a bit, but have managed to fit in a diploma of Interior Design and a semester at The National Institute of Design in India. For the last few years I’ve also worked for a fine art and jewellery gallery in Melbourne. This last year has given me some great ideas and direction for my design practice so I’m hoping to get a few of those underway soon…
2. Can you tell me a bit about your final year project?
It’s a collection of wearable art called ‘Quinntete – The Gift Series’. The pieces are specially commissioned for each person and are designed to be long-lasting, intimate and commemorate a special occasion. It has been a year in the making including a huge research thesis and development of my own design method. I currently have a total of five designs as examples.
3. Which part of the design industry do you hope to venture into?
I‘d really like to work in a range of areas, including international and community development, film, exhibition and interior design, jewellery and maybe even urban planning. I would like to become a designer who is able to move beyond traditional design boundaries and apply my skills to social and development issues.
4. What would your dream project be, if you could design for anyone or design anything and put it into production?
A good place to start would be with a project that places a more sustainable product at the luxury end of the market – maybe jewellery or fashion accessories – in the hope that this will instigate a change at the top of the food chain that would filter that behaviour down the line.
5. Kathryn, thanks for taking the time to talk with us here at Design Droplets. Do you have any final thoughts to share with Design Droplets readers?
Thanks Raph, I would just like to wish all of my fellow graduates good luck. We’ve been through a lot over the past 4 years and have worked extremely hard. Time to enjoy the summer……
