Kenny Yong-soo Son of Studiokyss is inspired by the everyday objects that surround him to design things that he personally uses and enjoy. He is nominated for our Emerging Designer Award 2015 and his metal and concrete objects are featured in our special sale event.

How would you describe your design philosophy and aesthetic?

I am an object designer-maker with a simple goal of creating work that has ‘life’, objects that add significance and value to everyday environments, with ideas between the decorative & the functional and the ability to transcend both craft & design mediums. I am interested in creating work that has the ability to interact physically and emotionally with the users, essentially giving longevity to the object. With a background in metal-craft and object-design, my work revolves around working with the quality of the specific materials. I believe it is only possible to make ‘good’ work if the designer-maker is aware of the characteristics of the material(s) they are working with. With the above notions in mind, I am also interested in the idea of subtracting the unnecessary to emphasise what is really necessary in a design. As Dieter Rams would say, ‘less but better’.

Brass spoons designed and made in Korea, 2014. Image - Youmee Jeon

What is your biggest motivator or muse when you are designing?

I design and make things that I need or would use and enjoy. There is no motivation making just another cup or another stool for the sake of being a ‘designer’. My idea is that if I can design and make things that I, myself love making and using, I can continue what I do for a long time with a lot of passion.

Image - Youmee Jeon

What has been the most pivotal point or event in your design life so far?

In 2013, I was awarded a grant from the Australia Korea Foundation (AKF), which allowed me to travel to Korea for a 6 month mentorship program. I worked closely and intensively with a traditional metal-craft master Sung-joon Cho, learning traditional and unique metal-craft techniques. Working every day for the entire 6 month taught me a lot about the ethics and values of my own practice and also the outcome of my works. I believe the quality of my work and both technical and aesthetical details of my practice has improved immensely upon returning from the trip. The scholarship program was wrapped up with a major exhibition back in Sydney and a series of workshops around several metal-craft institutions in Australia, introducing and teaching what I thought would be most valuable and useful towards the Australian metal-craft industry.

Work made for the Intimacy & Crafts exhibition, Melbourne, 2015. Image - Youmee Jeon

What (or who) inspired your most recent design?

In the past year or two, surrounding everyday objects have been by far the biggest influences and inspirations for what I design and make. For instance, my copper coffee cups were made with a self-desire to drink from a cup that I would personally enjoy looking at and most importantly, want to use.

Rectangular concrete trays in white and grey. Image - Youmee Jeon.

Do you have a favourite design in your portfolio, and why?

It is a love-hate relationship but it would have to be my whole concrete desk-top series. They are what really got me known in this field and it got a lot of people to take me seriously as a designer-maker. To be honest, I am not a huge fan of working with cement as a primary material, however I really enjoy the finished outcome of concrete. It is honest by form, structure and texture. It also allows me to translate my ideas into reality quite effectively and efficiently.

What materials, processes or new categories do you hope to explore in future?

My practice by far has been an exploration of the table or the desk. I hope to be working to produce some furniture pieces in the near future. This is something that has been on my mind for a while.

Image - Youmee Jeon

Do you have one piece of styling/ /design advice for home decorators?

Longevity over trend.

Quickfire questions:
My favourite iconic design is: Anything Dieter Rams
My dream project would be: To produce a time-less object, like the Eames chair (of course I couldn’t find out in my lifetime!)
My guilty design secret is: A good beer. It makes a world a difference
My favourite era for design is: Now. There is a lot of need and room for change
I am creatively fuelled by: Travelling. Nature. It allows me to mentally and physically rejuvenate

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Voting in our Emerging Designer Award 2015 has now closed.