Q&A with Hollie Moreland, Creative Director at David Hunt Lighting
We chat to Hollie Moreland, Creative Director at David Hunt Lighting
Tell us a bit more about you...
I studied at Parsons School of Design in Paris, with a background in photography, product and graphic design. After working for a clothing retailer, I joined David Hunt Lighting as Brand Manager in 2011, becoming Creative Director in 2017. As Creative Director, I am very close to every aspect of the creative process, and I’m lucky enough to live in the beautiful Cotswold countryside very close to our workshop.
What would you consider your greatest achievement/successes
David Hunt Lighting takes great pride in its 300 year old British heritage and in maintaining our manufacturing right here in the UK. In our Cotswolds workshop, our team of experienced artisans, including painters, sculptors and metalworkers, craft each piece by hand. The production methods are such that a single piece can travel through up to ten pairs of skilled hands by the time it reaches its final form.
Another memorable moment was opening our London Showroom at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour. It has been such a joy to showcase our range of designs alongside such renowned brands.
Can you talk us through your design process, from initial concept to finished piece?
I start the design process by sketching out a design before working on the prototype with our production manager. Together, we refine the physical prototype until it’s perfect, and then we create a production model. It is always a very exciting process, witnessing the evolution of the design from a sketch on paper into a physical product. The excitement of seeing the design come to life is wonderful. Sometimes we can create something in a number of months, other times we will be perfecting an idea for years before we can add it to our collections.
Where do you typically find inspiration, and how do you translate those ideas into sculptural, functional lighting?
My inspiration comes from travel, film, art and nature. I take the essence of an idea and then work out how I can incorporate it into light form. That might be a glorious relief pattern from the veins of a fallen leaf I found that I used on our Umbra Table Lamp, the shape of a humpback whale’s tail, which inspired the Fluke design, or a bowl of lemons, which inspired our Limone collection. I’m lucky to work with such a wealth of talent in the team, which allows us to bring my ideas into reality.
What key interior and lighting trends are you seeing emerge this year, and how are they influencing your designs?
There’s a growing emphasis on creating a layered, colourful, decorative lighting schemes. Lighting with natural form and texture and interesting sculptural shapes are being used in place of more functional designs to bring design interest to schemes. By pairing beautifully textured lighting such as wall lights or pendants with a mix of natural materials in warm tones, you can create a space that feels rich, considered and inviting. Sculptural lighting will continue to gain popularity, with statement pieces acting as objets d’art as much as sources of lighting, bringing a sense of intrigue and character to a scheme.
Finally, can you give us a preview of any upcoming collections or new designs that you are set to launch this year?
This Spring, we are introducing a table lamp version of our much-loved Totem Floor Lamp, which comprises of stacked, hand-assembled lacquered and textured elements, bringing a playful nostalgia and a contemporary twist to more spaces.
We are also introducing a new colourway into our 18-colour paint palette, which is always an exciting process. I love seeing how different designs can be transformed when seen in a new colour.
P.S.
Most indulgent purchase you have made?
Happy Yawn Clock by Bage & Soner – It makes me happy every time I check the time.
Last book you read?
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy.
Last podcast you listened to?
A Dose of Dandy by Nicolas Fairford & Nathan Rollinson.
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