Interview with Adam Cornish - Australian Product Designer - above - Monkey Pots

Today’s interview is with the incredibly talented Adam Cornish. Adam is passionate about the environment and the impact that we have upon our surroundings – a concept that we most definitely support here at thepeagreenboat. By now most of you would have seen Adam’s ‘Monkey Pots’. A great product that allows the exterior inside by means of a water reservoir and wick system allowing each planter to store and recycle excess water - all wrapped up in an environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing package! Clever or what?!

Adam‘s great products don’t stop there though. He has also produced the ‘Wooden Hammock’, ‘Trinity’ and ‘Foliar’ – a product designed for Wovin Wall and due to be released later this year. ‘Foliar’ is a three-dimensional modular wall system panel that allows the user to create or manipulate texture and colour at will. I love it’s intelligent yet playful twist on creating an interior landscape.

During the interview dialog, Adam accidently cut his finger, requiring 3 hours micro-surgery and a weekend in hospital – Ouch…! You’ll all be glad to know it wasn’t his drawing hand… so they’ll be no slowing of great concept sketches and products. However, we do thank Adam very much, for sending through his one-hand-typed answers – we hope you have a speedy recovery!

left above - Adam Cornish; right - 10m link of Monkey Pots at DesignEx 2012; below left - Foliar

Tell us a little about yourself and how your studio came to be.
I started my design practice in 2010 with the simple aim of creating innovative products that are designed for longevity with respect for the environment.

“My design process is one of simple observation based design. I believe in the continued evolution of products. Just like animals and plants, I believe products need to evolve and adapt to better suit our ever changing environment, materials/technologies and their impact they have on our planet.” Adam Cornish

Monkey Pots

Talk us through your concept to production process for the ‘Monkey Pots’. What obstacles, if any, did you encounter? And how did you overcome them?
The ‘Monkey Pots’ where obviously inspired by the children’s game “Barrel of Monkeys” however the design process was quite a journey.

Like a lot of projects the initial idea and inspiration was the easy part. It was all the details and environmental considerations that took the longest. Although simple from the outside the planter’s unique shape houses a water reservoir and wick system allowing each planter to store and recycle excess water. We conducted many growing tests to assure these horticultural aspects where working properly.

Monkey Pots

What environmental or sociological considerations do you implement when you design? Are there certain materials you prefer using? And why?
Environmental considerations are a huge part of my design practice. In order for a product to be sustainable the environmental impacts must be considered at all stages of the design process. This process crosses over into the packaging, shipping and which manufactures we will and will not work with.

Considering the environmental aspects in each product can lead to some unique design solutions, I doubt I would have chosen timber as a material for my ‘Wooden Hammock’ had I not been looking for a sustainable solution.

Wooden Hammock

Detail of the Wooden Hammock

Describe one of your most interesting projects that you’ve worked on.
The ten-metre ‘Monkey Pot’ chain featured at DesignEx 2012 was an interesting installation project, I wanted to showcase that the pots could be joined in large configurations to be used in atriums and architectural applications.

Adam's stand at DesignEx 2012

What are some of the inspirations you draw upon for your projects?
I try to stay open minded and look in varied places for inspiration; you never know what could be the inspiration for you next project.

Foliar - I love this!

Tell us more about your new prototype ‘Foliar’.
I designed for ‘Foliar’ for Wovin Wall. Foliar is an elegant three-dimensional modular wall panel system, that could easily be used in hospitality, public, retail, residential or commercial projects.

“‘Foliar’ is made up of flexible plastic forms with embedded magnets and adjustable leaf-like elements, which alter the effect of the surface. The design, inspired by nature, encourages play with its multi-textural surface, which can be read as flat, partially unfurled or as undulating foliage.

‘Foliar’s’ background colour becomes apparent when the leaves are folded up and is covered over again when laid flat, allowing for two-tone colour combination”. Adam Cornish

(Green and grey are great colour combinations – but I could see designers really getting creative with tonal expressions here! – GB)

Foliar

Are there future plans for Adam Cornish that we should know about? What exciting projects are you working on at the moment?
The ‘Monkey Pot’ really got me excited about how we can better bring plants and greenery into our work and living environment; I am currently working on projects that will continue this theme.

Trinity

Trinity

And lastly – as an Australian designer – what’s your favourite piece of Australia?
I grew up around the south coast of NSW – there are some truly beautiful beaches where mountains meet the sea.

Again, many thanks to Adam for his time, enthusiasm and dedication in times of grave bodily harm! We are so impressed!

If you want to contact Adam about any of his products you can reach him via his email info@adamcornish.com or his website here. Go check it out!

GB x