Vision of design with Tom Dixon

"...Amidst the exclusive design event Tom Dixon’s 48 Hours in Bangkok at MOTIF’s boutique in Central Embassy, visionary British designer Tom Dixon sat down with #legend_th to discuss innovation, the evolving definition of design, and the shifting role of AI in creativity. He also shared his insights on the delicate balance between art and functionality..."

#Legend_th: Your work combines art, design, and usefulness. How do you find the right balance between these elements in your creative process?

TD: I think each object has a different balance, right? So I take influences from different disciplines, sculpture, engineering, and sometimes functionality. I would have been very happy as an artist, but what design does is provide a framework to work within, a functionality framework. If that is the starting point, then I can integrate sculpture, innovation, and nature within that framework of functionality.

#Legend_th: Your designs often involve exploring different materials and techniques. Can you share a project where trying something new led to an unexpected result?

TD: Well, I think these lights here, the Beat Lamps, which are up there, are a great example. The project initially started as a not-for-profit initiative when I was working in India, trying to find new products for metalworkers as part of a charity project. I saw these amazing water vessels, which were being used less and less because people were replacing them with plastic pots. I thought, this would make an amazing lamp. So, by simply turning the water vessel upside down, I transformed it into a completely new functional object using the same traditional techniques. It was never intended to be a commercial project, but it became our number one bestseller as a brand.

#Legend_th: You have played a key role in shaping modern design styles. How do you see the connection between design and culture evolving in the future?

TD: I think design is a funny word because it doesn't really have a fixed shape of its own. Design is something that can be applied to everything, it could be software, graphics, or fashion. It is essentially a method of improving things. There is no point in design if it does not progress alongside technology and culture. Design is a part of culture, is influenced by culture, and is inseparable from culture, in my view.

#Legend_th: When discussing culture, what methods or strategies does Tom Dixon employ to connect with clients from different cultures, such as Thai people?

TD: Well, I think we are still not a very big company. But what we do attract, globally, are people who are interested in innovation and new ideas. So, our design does not necessarily need to be adapted to specific cultures. There are people in Thailand who are interested in Britishness, just as English people are fascinated by Thai culture. In today’s world, especially in the Instagram era, people appreciate seeing differences and want to engage with something unique. So, we do not need to modify our objects to fit a Thai sensibility, because Thai people already have a deep appreciation for the arts and aesthetics. Thailand has always maintained its strong cultural identity while embracing modernity, which is fascinating.

#Legend_th: Tom Dixon and MOTIF have been collaborating for 13 years. Has this partnership supported the brand’s expansion into the Thai luxury market?

TD: I've noticed that we are only truly successful in places where we have partners who understand us. When people talk about business, they often focus on money and products, but they rarely talk about people. And, ultimately, the most important factor is having partners who genuinely understand your vision, and vice versa. With MOTIF, we have always had a partner who truly comprehends what we are trying to achieve and supports us in a localised way. That is the most important thing.

#Legend_th: Looking to the future, what trends or new technologies do you think will shape design, and how are you preparing to incorporate them into your work?

TD: Right now, the big conversation is about artificial intelligence. Everyone is both fascinated and terrified by it. I see it as another tool, one that has the potential to significantly accelerate innovation in design and manufacturing. It is certainly going to be disruptive, but it also presents an extraordinary opportunity for designers to create meaningful improvements in the world.

#Legend_th: And how is Tom Dixon preparing to embrace artificial intelligence in design?

TD: At the moment, we are primarily using AI for communication. It is not yet fully developed as a design and manufacturing tool, but it is evolving rapidly. You have to remember that even the marketing and communication tools we are using today did not exist two years ago. In six months or a year, we will be using AI more extensively, for developing products, designing spaces, enhancing communication, and facilitating international growth. The potential is enormous.

Also See: Tom Dixon’s 48 Hours in Bangkok: A special event celebrating 13 years of MOTIF x Tom Dixon