Design Life: Kyla McCallum

Foldability is a London-based design studio that creates interior products, set design and bespoke installations inspired by origami and geometry.

Scottish designer Kyla McCallum conceived the studio in 2013 and has worked with a number of big brands, collaborating with graphic designers, art directors, photographers, architects and fabricators along the way, to create exceptional and clinical folded surfaces and products.

We caught up with Kyla to find out a little more about what makes her tick.

What three things can't you be without when designing?

"My library of old sketchbooks, filled with images of inspiration and ideas from past projects. I like to look back through these to help get me motivated to work on new ideas.

"An empty page in my sketchbook.

"And a 0.025 fine liner pen for making little illustrations of my ideas. If I draw my ideas precisely with a delicate pen, I’m more likely to look back and remember the designs rather than I would with a quick rough sketch, which I might throw away."

If you had to pick one, what would be your favourite material and why?

"It’s got to be paper as it’s such a versatile material and can do so many different things. It comes in such a variety of textures, thicknesses and colours."

Which project that you've been involved with are you most proud of?

"A project I did for Ted Baker last year, which had quite an unusual brief. I designed a series of bespoke pendants in the shape of giant Elizabethan ruffs for their new store in South Africa. It was really challenging to find a material that was strong enough to hold the shape, resilient enough to last over time and also be aesthetically pleasing. The largest of the designs was 1m wide, so it was great to find a material which could support the curved structure."

What project do you wish you'd been involved with?

"I would have loved to work on the set design for the Harry Potter films or for the theatre play!"

And what is next on the agenda for you?

"I’m finishing a lighting order at the moment that will be shipped to the USA next week, and am about to begin a set design project for an event in London. I also have some paper craft workshops for brands coming up over the next few months. This year I’m keen to do more set design and window display projects as I really enjoy getting new briefs with a deadline of only a few weeks. It means that every month I get to work on something new, which keeps things interesting!"

Discover more at www.foldability.co.uk .