November 19, 2008
BLOGGER LUCY FEAGINS
Lucy Feagins is my "go-to" girl in Melbourne. Mainly for when I'm working on features for real living. For example, I was trying to track down a photography studio for a food story a little while ago and I contacted Lucy as she seems to have her eyes everywhere. Most of you probably already know that Lucy has a highly tuned tracking ability thanks to her blog The Design Files. I'm so glad I got Lucy to answer the questions below because, as always, she's included some fascinating gems. Above is her work as a set designer.
Which five words best describe you? Creative, thoughtful, sensitive, organised, passionate.
What’s your proudest achievement? On a personal level, my proudest achievement was buying my own home just over a year and a half ago. It makes me feel like a grown-up.
I’m also very proud of my blog - it seems to have taken on a life of its own - I never expected it to grow as it has, and sometimes I feel I’m struggling to keep up. The Design Files has put me in touch with some of the most incredible people, and has given me lots of opportunities I never expected. Since starting the site in January this year, I have been asked to write articles for magazines including Design Quarterly and Artichoke – and I was pretty excited when Belle magazine recently asked to use some of my photos for their next issue.
Who inspires you? My partner Gordon – he’s a tireless "do-er". He has taught me to take the plunge, to act on my plans and ideas rather than just dream about them; to never waste a moment. Marije Vogelzang – a unique Dutch food designer with the most fabulous ideas when it comes to shared cooking/dining/eating experience. I am addicted to her blog and company website. A truly unique creative mind. I have also written a little background about Marije on my blog here.
What are you passionate about? Good design in all its forms. Melbourne – its eclecticism, its colourful and vibrant sense of community, its support of local artists, designers and independent creative business. Blogs – self-publishing is an amazing, empowering thing.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt? Just start. I have a tendency to over-calculate my decisions, and to be so concerned with getting something perfect, that I sometimes never even begin! I’ve learnt that the best thing you can do is "lean in to it" – just start, somewhere, and the rest will follow.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Stefan Sagmeister – on top of being an extremely talented and internationally recognised designer, he also appears to be the most truly lovely guy. He’s modest and thoughtful, and he has the most beautiful, engaging accent. Have you seen this film. It is fantastic - please watch it.
What’s next? Improvements to my blog – perhaps a bit of a redesign, more features, and collaborations with other like-minded bloggers and creative people. I would love The Design Files to have more of a sense of community rather than just being my voice all the time. Work-wise, I’d love to sink my teeth into a great Australian feature film. In the last couple of years I’ve been working on a lot of comedy and children’s TV series and commercials, and I’m ready for a new challenge.
What are you reading? House of Concepts, which is a book about the Design Academy Eindhoven in the Netherlands. I really love Dutch design, and many of the designers I admire most studied at this prestigious school, including Marije Vogelzang, mentioned above. This book looks at many of the Design Academy’s most high-profile and successful graduates.
What’s your proudest achievement? On a personal level, my proudest achievement was buying my own home just over a year and a half ago. It makes me feel like a grown-up.
I’m also very proud of my blog - it seems to have taken on a life of its own - I never expected it to grow as it has, and sometimes I feel I’m struggling to keep up. The Design Files has put me in touch with some of the most incredible people, and has given me lots of opportunities I never expected. Since starting the site in January this year, I have been asked to write articles for magazines including Design Quarterly and Artichoke – and I was pretty excited when Belle magazine recently asked to use some of my photos for their next issue.
Who inspires you? My partner Gordon – he’s a tireless "do-er". He has taught me to take the plunge, to act on my plans and ideas rather than just dream about them; to never waste a moment. Marije Vogelzang – a unique Dutch food designer with the most fabulous ideas when it comes to shared cooking/dining/eating experience. I am addicted to her blog and company website. A truly unique creative mind. I have also written a little background about Marije on my blog here.
What are you passionate about? Good design in all its forms. Melbourne – its eclecticism, its colourful and vibrant sense of community, its support of local artists, designers and independent creative business. Blogs – self-publishing is an amazing, empowering thing.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt? Just start. I have a tendency to over-calculate my decisions, and to be so concerned with getting something perfect, that I sometimes never even begin! I’ve learnt that the best thing you can do is "lean in to it" – just start, somewhere, and the rest will follow.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Stefan Sagmeister – on top of being an extremely talented and internationally recognised designer, he also appears to be the most truly lovely guy. He’s modest and thoughtful, and he has the most beautiful, engaging accent. Have you seen this film. It is fantastic - please watch it.
What’s next? Improvements to my blog – perhaps a bit of a redesign, more features, and collaborations with other like-minded bloggers and creative people. I would love The Design Files to have more of a sense of community rather than just being my voice all the time. Work-wise, I’d love to sink my teeth into a great Australian feature film. In the last couple of years I’ve been working on a lot of comedy and children’s TV series and commercials, and I’m ready for a new challenge.
What are you reading? House of Concepts, which is a book about the Design Academy Eindhoven in the Netherlands. I really love Dutch design, and many of the designers I admire most studied at this prestigious school, including Marije Vogelzang, mentioned above. This book looks at many of the Design Academy’s most high-profile and successful graduates.
images courtesy of lucy feagins