Whilst researching different practitioners and designers for this project, I came across MLK Furniture. They are a design studio based in Beaurdoux, France. Arthur's work straight away stuck out to me, as his work revolves around design styles I absolutely love. I thought to reach out to him, as I made it a priority to put myself out there and speak to more people of interest to me.
On their Instagram, It says 'DM to collab' which was the tipping point for me to reach out to them.
I openly asked Arthur if he would be interested in a possible design collaboration in the future. He said he has done collaborative pieces before, mainly with architects and 3D video artists, but also said "do not hesitate if you plan a trip to the French countryside" right off the bat. This was exciting but also very scary, as I hadn't really spoken with any designers and practitioners in different countries, but as his work has been such an inspiration to me since finding his Instagram account, I was also super excited.
MLK furniture is inspired by functionalism and brutalism. Low-tech, ready-to-assemble, and versatility are the core of their design. This design description reflects everything I've been trying to achieve since starting this degree. Finding someone who has created a brand that creates amazing furniture and home fittings is such an inspiration, and speaking with Arthur has made me want to develop a brand more and more.
Similar to my project, his work seems to be based on the connections of components, as his brand identity is seen in all his pieces as you see all the bolts and spaces he uses in every design. This level of detail and craftsmanship is what I want to replicate in my work while still keeping the functional aspect you see in furniture.
We also spoke about this piece...
The images below beautifully showcase some of my favourite pieces by MLK Furniture. I have his permission to use these images but I'll also link his Instagram below.
I think reaching out to this design studio has been one of the highlights of this project. It's so exciting to think about the possibility of a collaboration in the future with such an inspiration. It would be hard to do as it would have to work for us both, but if the stars aligned, I could see a collaborative set of pieces with one of my favourite designers.
