10 QUESTIONS WITH... DAY IN THE LIFE…
Tomorrow’s FM talks to Kerry Dry, Product Designer at CMD Ltd, to find out about her professional life and how the design industry has shaped her.
Q1TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR CAREER BACKGROUND
I’ve always had a creative eye and I found my niche by the time I started my A-levels, going on to study product design at the University of Northampton. I worked for an interiors and furniture design company while I was a student and got a job working for an architectural aluminium system house after graduation, before moving north to join CMD Ltd three years ago.
Q2HAD YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO PURSUE A CAREER IN DESIGN?
Growing up, I had lots of advice about how it was ‘impractical’ or ‘unrealistic’ to pursue a career in design and that I should focus on a finding a ‘real’ job. If anything, this discouragement just amplified my passion to be a designer. I didn’t want to pursue my passion to prove the nay-sayers wrong, I just wanted to do it for me.
Q3WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST INFLUENCE AND SOURCE OF
INSPIRATION? Design and the inspiration for new forms and materials is all around us so the built and natural environment around me inspires me every day. I grew up in South London, and, whilst CMD’s location in South Yorkshire may not offer quite the same hustle and bustle as central London, there is still so much character in the area. Large sculptures and art pieces are dotted around, you just have to look. Being London, the landscape and the skyline are ever changing. Developments are constantly happening, and I think that has a lot to do with new designs and technology. I grew up surrounded by this ultra-modern way of life, and it really was inspiring.
Q4WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST NOTABLE PROJECT TO DATE?
I am currently taking the lead on several projects ranging from on-desk power and connectivity solutions to floor products for power distribution installations. We have recently seen the successful launch of the Reach Plus Monitor Arm, which I am proud to have worked on at CMD.
Q5HOW DO YOU APPROACH YOUR PROJECTS?
Communication is integral to every aspect of a successful business, and that definitely includes design projects. I regularly liaise with the sales team, as well as our marketing department to build an understanding of what the expectations are for the next project and what customer requirements we need to consider.
50 | TOMORROW’S FM Q6WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE FOR DESIGNING IN
SUSTAINABILITY? Sustainability has been a clear goal and driving force throughout my design career and background, so I am always looking for ways to achieve more sustainable products. The hardest part about creating sustainable products is making sure that they are compliant with safety standards. The end-of-life of our products is just as crucial as the use and function, so we’re focused on prioritising the complete lifecycle of the product, in terms of materials and waste reduction strategies.
Q7 Q8
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? Whilst studying for my degree, I took on a summer
job as a junior fabricator for an interior and furniture design company. This involved working with materials that I hadn’t necessarily used before, namely, Corian. Coincidentally, the products I design now are completely different but also destined for the commercial interiors market.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE DESIGN INDUSTRY?
I set my sights on a career in design from an early age and made sure that what I studied still had links to design, whether it was art, physics or maths. Soon after I graduated, I began working as a Design Technician for an architectural aluminium systems house. There, I designed curtain walling systems and residential window systems.
Q9
HOW DO YOU CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO?
As a designer in a male-dominated industry, I am always met with scepticism. Even at promotional events, hosts and guests alike always assume that I’m not a designer or at all technically minded. Being met with this on a day-to-day basis, I would often take great offence. Soon, I came to realise that it is much more satisfying to accomplish something great, knowing that my skills and talents did that.
Q10 Q11
WHO IN ANY OTHER INDUSTRY DO YOU ADMIRE?
Philippe Starck- though also a designer, is exceptional in another industry: furniture design. His pieces break down the boundaries of what design is expected to be and he really challenges the audience to think differently about that.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FILM? As controversial as it may be, I have to say
Twilight. It came out when I was in secondary school and I was targeted at a teenage audience, so I grew up with the franchise on repeat. I think it’s just the nostalgia of having such a unique movie at the time and it feeling almost
twitter.com/TomorrowsFM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
