Market Research Conclusion Milan - Salone Del Mobile 2019

Up until April my market research had focused on designers that work with

knitted fabric in different ways, focusing on colour, sensory elements,

sculptural elements and decorative elements. I was working with the aim of

crossing over markets, blurring the line between functioning, bespoke

furniture, and art, installation pieces.

After my visit to Milan I felt so inspired and excited by what I had seen

throughout my time there. I had my final designs in place and they focused on

scale and sensory elements. Before my trip, I felt that even though I wasn’t

placing my work for one direct market, I still wasn’t very confident with placing

it in an artistic market. I was very unaware of the more artistic, conceptual

markets being galleries, exhibits, hotels, displays etc.

In Milan I was delighted to find designers and brands working with huge scale,

designing all kinds of interiors, I focused my interests on seating and lighting.

There were huge rotating lights found in the exhibition centre, found in

individual exhibits across the city and even hanging in the streets. Many of the

designers and makers used organic foliage and plant life in there displays

which really inspired me when considering further ideas for the CactEye

Collection. I had the opportunity to talk to the creative directors from

companies and meet with the designers themselves. It was a wonderful

experience and I began to understand the potential opportunities that I could

gain with this project, and where it could go being aimed at ‘bigger’ market.

SCALE SCALE SCALE. I met with the Creative Director of Casalis, Francis

Vercaemst, a company who specialise in woollen, knitted interiors including

lantern shaped lights, wall panels, rugs and soft seating, all being used in

hotels, private buildings, homes and some for art purposes. We discussed my

work and the MA project and have kept in touch since then to discuss a

potential placement later in the year.

Not only did it this trip to Milan really confirm my direction for the project but

also for the future. Whilst making the film for The CactEye Collection I

understood how well the piece worked on camera, working with movement and

lighting was a really great opportunity to see how different the work appeared

on screen. I felt very privilege to work with Jonathon, someone with a vast

experience in film making, who gave me many ideas and suggestions of

possible avenues to take with this project, as well as committing to developing

The CactEye Film and a combination of one with The Carnival Lantern.

The conclusion being that The Hungry Ghost is aiming to be a brand that

translates narratives through sensory and sculptural knitted textiles. Blurring

the line between conceptual art work displayed as an installation and

functional items that could be placed in the home.

E X T R E M E F U R N I T U R E

B E S P O K E P I E C E S

I N S T A L L A T I O N A R T W O R K

C O N C E P T U A L I N T E R I O R S

Focusing my research attention to:

(see sketchbook, folder and market research page on home page for imagery)

KNITTED INTERIORS with VIBRANT COLOUR and CONCEPTUAL FURNITURE

design :

- Derny Relph

- Kenneth Cobonpue

- Meike harde

- Claire - Anne O’Brian

- Casalis

- Missonihome

- Bolia

Knitted FASHION WITH 3D, SCULPTURAL ELEMENTS, NARRATIVE

- Yrurari

- Grace Bibao

Knitted and textile INSTALLATION ART WORK FOR GALLERIES AND EXHIBITS

- Olek

- Joanne Vasconcelas

- Pierre

- Melanie Porter

- Jo Cope

- Charlotte Kingsnorth

- Anne Galante

- Freddy Robbins

- Ernesto Nato

W H E R E C O U L D I T B E F O U N D ?

- Contemporary craft gallery - London

- Kit Kemp Hotels - Firmdale Hotels - London - New York - Extreme furnishings

- The New Craftsman Gallery - London

- Contemporary Applied Arts

W H E R E C O U L D I T . B E U S E D ?

- Film / T V prop

- Displays

- In the home

F U T U R E E X H I B I T O P P O R T U N I T I E S ?

- Surface Design Show London Feb 2020

- Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair