Rohan Nichol | Email | Website

Where and what did you study and what year did you graduate?
Currently undertaking a PhD at Charles Sturt University.
Bachelor of Visual Arts Honours (Gold And Silversmithing), 2003, Australian National University.
Diploma of Education, 2000, Australian Catholic University.
Bachelor of Visual Arts (Gold and Silversmithing), 1996, Australian National University.

Where did you head after graduating?
I have worked to consolidate and sustain my practice through the broadest experience possible. I have continued to pursue study and research and have been teaching and lecturing in the secondary and tertiary sectors. I have balanced this with curatorial experience, continuing exhibition work and commercial exercises like the development of the Fink bracelet for Fink and Co.

What motivated you to start your own business?
The belief that a cultural commodity can compete as a sustainable business model and generate wealth, by offering a valuable alternative to the mainstream commercial commodities.

How would you describe the products you design to someone who hadn’t seen them?
I produce lighting for domestic and commercial environments. The products are highly functional, arresting, refined, desirable and have intriguing material applications.

What are the most challenging parts of being a designer running a small business?
The all rounder requirements of being a sole operator and remaining clearly focused on the priorities when inundated with tasks.

What inspires your design projects?
The desire to prove that Australian designers can collaborate with existing manufacturing enterprises in the regional centres to produce authentically Australian atelier products in limited production quantities.

What are the next steps for you?
I have just launched the stretchlight. I am currently looking to license manufacturing and distribution rights for my products. In the longer term I wish to continue to extend the lighting range and perhaps extend the product line into furniture as capital enables me to invest in tooling and materials.

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