Born in the UK, Daniel trained as a carpenter
before studying Furniture and Product Design at Sheffield Hallam University,
during which time he worked in New York for leading Manhattan based interior
design practice and specifier DDC.
Graduating in 2011, Daniel developed his Sheffield
based studio, specialising in adding extra value and narrative to mass produced
and limited edition products.
Daniel focuses on the creative exploration of
materials, industrial processes and user interaction, working closely with
factories, workshops and manufacturers to produce contemporary furniture,
lighting and accessories.
By giving each of his products an individual story,
Daniel hopes to create timeless pieces that have an extended lifespan, reducing
their impact on the environment.
Daniel Schofield Studio has received national and international acclaim
and exhibited at a variety of shows across the country including Design Event
Presents at Tent London during London Design Festival September 2012. Here are his thoughts on the experience:
Products displayed at Tent London
WHAT A CORKER!
What a Corker was conceived to stand the test of
time by incorporating high quality materials through precise manufacturing. The
design draws on Yorkshire’s industrial capabilities to influence the process of
the final product.
By fusing soft and pliable cork with hard and brittle mirror created
using flat bed CNC router technology, the shape and
hanging method add to the sensation of fragility in a contemporary and eco
friendly composition.
COAT EGGS
Coat Eggs are a fun take on the traditional coat
peg. Annoyed by coats being left with a point indented in them by sharp metal
coat hooks, I looked to find a nice way to round off the shape to stop this
happening.
Made from solid Beech, available in boxes of half
dozen and designed and laid in Yorkshire.
DEPARTMENT
TABLE The Department Table has been designed to offer different areas for the various objects found on coffee and side tables.
By identifying what objects people tend to use in
conjunction with these pieces, I was able to accommodate for them through three
turned surfaces, each offering subtle differences to adapt to the objects
placed on them.
This in turn keeps the space less cluttered and
more accessible for people to interact with
Made from FSC Ash with a matt lacquer finish and manufactured in
Yorkshire
What was your experience of exhibiting at Tent London, how did you find it?
I had great experience at Tent! It was a long few days, but that was to
be expected. The interest I've had off the back of the show has been really
good, in terms of both sales and collaborations. Working with Design Event was
really easy, they keep it simple and don't complicate things which made the
whole process seem really relaxed.
I think exhibiting as a collective has some really big advantages as
well, for instance it enables you to pop off for a while to view other stands
and meet people and people can look after the stand for you. Also it gives you
people to talk to if the day is going a bit slow.
What were the benefits of exhibiting as part of the
collective?
Meeting all the different designers was awesome, it’s good to chat about
how they run their businesses and the problems they face.
Did you find you were prepared for the experience
of exhibiting at Tent London? If not, what would you have done
differently?
Urmm, I think I was pretty well prepared. I had set up a few meetings
before hand and then managed to squeeze a lot of networking in whilst I was
there so that was good.
What were your most interesting conversations?
The most interesting ones for me was going to the super brands section
and meeting with designers who are designing for bigger companies and picking
their brains about how they operate. I've only been going about 6 months so I'm
just trying to learn as much as possible at the moment
What other exhibitions did you get to see during
LDF?
I was lucky and managed to see quite a bit, I got to Design Junction and
100% Design, both of which were really good.
What is next for you?
Next I'm working on the sales side of my business, I've got quite a lot
of interest from China off the back of Tent so I'm working on that at the
moment. On top of that I've got a couple of collaborations I'm working on,
which also came about through Tent and then I'm always working on some designs
of my own, it's what keeps me sane!
