September 2014
Louise Olsen: Dinosaur Designs
Our studio in Strawberry Hills in Sydney has the most beautiful light that pours in through the windows. It's a very important place for us. It's where we create and develop our designs and produce every resin piece we make by hand. It's a place of work but it's also very personal - almost like an extension of our home. We believe that having a happy environment has a big effect on what's created and produced in it.
We love our stores too, as they are where we get to be with our customers and where we get feedback on our designs. One of the big mile stones for us was opening our store in New York. It's been extremely rewarding and we've learned so much from the experience.
Working in design is a wonderful privilege. It's a great way to study of the world. It's a never ending exploration where we're constantly inspired by nature. This is just one of the reasons we use sustainable working methods and minimise waste and electricity consumption.
Here is a list of my favorite 10 books that inspire and inform my creative process
01
Eames by Gloria Koenig, Peter Gossel (editor)
I love the multifaceted approach this book takes as it examines the expansive design work of Charles and Ray Eames. Their furniture, toys, building, films, graphics, exhibitions and books all aimed to improve society, not only functionally, but also culturally and intellectually which make it so inspiring.
02
The Green Workplace by Leigh Stringer
Leah Stringer's book is empowering as it provides a great insight into strategies which focus on sustainable practices which make workplaces more green.
03
Cindy Sherman The Early Works by Gabriele Schor
Sherman is one of America's most influential artists. This book allows you to understand Sherman's oeuvre, her interest in the representation of women in society, the media and the nature of the creation of art. The way in which Sherman's photographs portrays her interests is most inspiring. I was lucky enough to see her exhibition at MoMA in New York, a fantastic show!
04
Julius Shulman- Modernism Rediscovered by Julius Shulman(photographer), and Pierluigi Serraino (editor)
An incredible book which brings to the forefront of forgotten architectural masterpieces from Shulman's personal archive. The focus on a rarely seen side of Californian Modernism partnered with Shulman's brilliant sense of composition makes his photos most inspiring.
05
Altered Images: New Visons in the 21st Century Photography by Romanywg
I love how the boundaries of photography are pushed and explores inventive perspectives of the next generation of creative photographers.
06
New Dutch Photography Talent 2013
The wonderful diversity of emerging photographers from the Netherlands, this book is exuberant
07
Creamier: Contemporary Art in Culture
I love the uber modern feel this book has in it's design and in its content that it presents. Most exciting!
08
Ai WeiWei by Karen Smith
The surprising and avante-garde nature of Weiwei work is most inspiring.
09
Dries Van Norten 1-50 Joeri Meiji ed.
I love the way you are taken into the mind of Dries Van Noten, you are taken on the journey of an incredible talent as you get to explore his inspirations, concept and impeccable contraction of garments.
10
Tokujin Yoshioka: Crystallize
Yoshioka's work is magical. The way he works with materials such as glass fibres, crystalline growths, transparent straws and similar materials is so clever in the way it challenges our perception of form and substance.
