A SERIES OF IN-DEPTH

INTERVIEWS WITH KEY

PLAYERS FROM THE

DESIGN WORLD

A SERIES OF

IN-DEPTH

INTERVIEWS WITH KEY

PLAYERS

FROM THE

DESIGN WORLD

Plugged

in

series

Offering an intimate insight into the real people behind the studios and brands; their backgrounds, interests and advice.

ben johnson @ albion nord

Ben Johnson might have had his sights on becoming a famous footballer, but it’s his colourful design career that has led him to glory. Chatting to him about his journey so far, it seems he’s had some serendipitous moments but mainly it’s been passion and hard graft that’s got him where he is today.

charu ghandi @ elicyon

Charu Gandhi had an upbringing many would dream of, travelling to all corners of the world with her family whilst being exposed to art, culture and talented artisans on the way (writes Jason Bailey). It’s no surprise then that she has surrounded herself with a multicultural team at her award-winning design studio Elicyon, made up of people from East Europe, Scandinavia, Asia, Africa and America.

chris godfrey @ hba

Speaking to Chris Godfrey as he sits in his office in the middle of Singapore’s buzzy Central Business District, he has a charming warmth about him and immediately makes you feel at ease (writes Jason Bailey). Maybe it’s his northern roots or the fact he’s worked in the design industry since he was 16, so he’s well accustomed to dealing with people and selling himself. Probably both. Now co-CEO of HBA, Chris leads 25 HBA offices worldwide as well as finding time to help educate and inspire the next generation of designers by giving lectures at Interior and Spatial Design at Chelsea College of Art in London and Lasalle College of the Arts in Singapore.