Daniel Heath is under the spotlight this week as we continue our series of insights into the lives of some of our favourite new designers.
The Royal College of Art graduate combines heritage materials with whimsical motifs, animals and intricate illustrations.
Based in East London, his work is inspired by the landscapes and wildlife from his childhood in the South Downs, and involves bespoke, traditional craftsmanship alongside contemporary processes to produce a range of wallpapers, textiles and surfaces.
Projects have included adorning an Art Deco chair for Farrow & Ball, his own products include home furnishings, antique mirrored tables and wall mirrors, while retailer Heal’s has commissioned an exclusive collection of limited edition illustrated cushions.
We spoke to Daniel to find out what he's currently up to...
"Firstly, music – when I am writing, I need silence so that I can express clarity in my words. I don’t want my thought process to be interrupted. When I am drawing and designing I like a broken or twisting trajectory. To be energised and absorbed in something expressive you sometimes need to have a soundtrack. I think of it like a film score. I have an active imagination and I think music helps me to get it to go where I want it to go.
"Secondly, just the right amount of coffee – too much and you develop the 1,000 mile stare or shaky hands (not good for drawing). Normally, a strong, fresh coffee at 7am is enough to get me through until lunch. If I’m planning to work late, then a coffee after lunch is good too, but I try to stick to water and tea. A dehydrated brain is no good for thinking.
"Last but not least, notebooks – lists: endless lists. I fill up notebooks with lists, sketches, plans, references, codes, numbers and ideas. At least 80 per cent of which is of no interest or use to anyone but me. Without these I would be completely lost."
"Currently, my favourite material is salvaged slate. I am using a lot of salvaged slate roof tiles at the moment and, when you see a lot of it, you start to see that there is colour variety in the material ranging from blue to green to vivid purple hues. The natural patina combined with the erosion and staining caused by the elements means that each piece is completely unique. I also like this material because it is very local and nearly everyone will understand where it comes from and in that respect it is very honest as a material."
"Having Heal’s approach me to create an exclusive collection for them was a very proud moment, knowing of Heal’s as a great British heritage brand and having studied their archive at Blythe House. I respect many of the designers that make up their rich history. This very British brand also looks to the future in supporting current designers and young talent as seen in their Heal’s Discovers and the Heal’s Design Award that they run with the Royal College of Art.
"It has been wonderful to see how well my cushion designs were received by the public and the press. Quite often, I do bespoke commission work for domestic interiors and so, although they are a pleasure to be involved in, they do not often get the public airing that a retail product will get in a respected retailer like Heal’s."
"I wish I could have been involved in the Festival of Britain in 1951. What an exciting time! A huge influx of international design talent into the Central Schools in post-war Britain, an audience crying out for something interesting to drag them out of austerity and lift morale. Design was to provide a ‘tonic to the nation’.
"Any project from that time would have been great to have been involved in and even now, when you visit somewhere like the Southbank Centre on a weekend over 60 years later, it is still exciting and remains to be a cultural hub. To be involved in the design of something as iconic as that would be an honour."
"I have a few things coming up that I am really excited about, including the launch of the book Mid-Century Modern Complete by Dominic Bradbury for Thames & Hudson, which includes a section I wrote about mid-century textiles. I am also excited about the London Design Festival, especially some of the new wallpapers and furniture pieces I am working on to launch at that time.
"This year, I will continue to explore the combination of new technologies and craft sensibility. The processes I am using are providing new possibilities for my work. It is nice to be able to evolve the narrative of making."
Chair image courtesy of Farrow & Ball, photo by James Merrell.
Daniel Heath has taken over the Material Lab Instagram feed this week, so check that out for another insight into his daily design life. You can also find out more about his work here.
You can also watch Daniel taking part in live making during our Making exhibition for The London Design Festival next month - click here for more details.
