Design Laboratory

The Design Laboratory is (as some define it) 'a creative intelligence and multidisciplinary design consultancy. It draws expertise from recent bright graduates' based at the Innovation Centre of Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design.

Methodology of Work

Design Lab, as is also know among members, has employed as it claims, some of the most talented graduates of the College. Founded in 1999 by architect Brent Richards, who prior to this appointment, was Dean of the School of Graphic and Industrial Design, the Design Laboratory challenges convention, design itself and has served as a model of cross educational-commercial consultancy yet being replicated in many places without their success.

After 7 years it has amalgamated clients from 4+ continents and has worked for prestigious companies and organisations in the UK. Design Laboratory is led by director Brent Richards and a five people carefully coached and cherry picked core-team- Yann Mathias - Fashion Design, Miguel Rodriguez-Batista- Product Design, Kevin Tallon, Fashion Design, Chris Joscelyne - Communication Design, Boris Thuery - Industrial Design. Other talented designers passing their doors have included Eva Helberger, George Bigden, Christina Morgan, Jill Fehrenbacher, Jorge Martin, Marianne Moore, Anne-Marie Hopkins, Lena Mahr, Lotta Veroma, Milos Covic, Fay Cuthbertson, Lisa Eichler, Lucy Carruthers, Andreas Berti, Tina Matsuwan... and the list continues with new talent being fast tracked in their trendy Red Lion Square self designed drawing boards. Design Laboratory methodology typically gives members a 3 month internship, 6 month Designer post, 6 months Project Designer and the Core Team is represented by Senior Designers/Account Managers who influence decisions at Senior Level, The aim of the core team is to retain knowledge in the lab. Methodology also has included a Passport Programme for Leadership and Team Management developed by Passport UK.

Design projects known to have been successfully carried out by the Lab are Japanese shops and cakes Henry Charpentier, Intel Corporation's WiFi Chair, Carat International Adidas, Habitat funky Our Crowd Lamps, Heston Blumenthal Fat Duck creative strategy, Antarctic Pyramids with Ken Shuttleworth architects Make and Arup, The Experimental Playground Kit for the UK funded by NESTA, Hotel duVin rooms for Henley upon Thames, Sturm und Plastic Double Up Chair...

Finally

The Design Laboratory is a very rare and still not commonly found model of commercial design consultancy, stemming from an academic institution such as the newly created University of the Arts London (former London Institute) and a College like Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design