Martin Davis Furniture Design | Email | Website

Where and what did you study and what year did you graduate?
Graduate Diploma Multimedia, 2002, Swinburne University.
Bachelor Applied Science (Landscape Architecture), 1987, RMIT.

Where did you head after graduating?
After graduating in 1987, I established my own landscape architectural practice which I remained a director of for 13 years. After graduating in multimedia in 2002, I proceeded to educate myself in all areas of furniture design and construction.

When did you launch your own business?
Landarche Pty Ltd was launched in 1988 and Martin Davis Furniture Design in 2003.

What motivated you to start your own business?
The motivation to start my current business came from the desire to pursue my interest in furniture design and to remain self-employed.

How would you describe your business to someone who didn’t know you?
The business currently consists of two informal divisions. The first division produces handcrafted furniture designed and made to commission. The second prototypes furniture design and production intended for manufacture.

How would you describe the products you design to someone who hadn’t seen them?
My furniture is unique and contemporary and intended to last for generations. My commission furniture and prototypes are made primarily from reclaimed Australian hardwoods and plantation sheet material.

What are the most challenging parts of being a designer running a small business?
It’s hard to compete with established celebrity designers for manufacturers and retailers’ interests and finding time to do everything that needs to be done.

What inspires your design projects?
My design projects are influenced largely by my tertiary qualifications, extensive overseas travels and an interest in the visual arts.

What are the next steps for you?
I plan to further develop the commissioned furniture side of the business to a point where it maintains a more constant cash flow. I will continue to design and make new prototypes and research and develop manufacturing and marketing strategies.

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