Daniel Fairburn is the Director and Founder of Out and Out Original Furniture, an online retailer of ethically sourced and produced furniture, based in London. Daniel has worked all over the world, working with some of the most skilled and talented craftsmen and artisans in the world. He started his journey in Vietnam, leaving the UK when he was 21 to pursue his furniture design career; before making his return to establish his firm. So we are proud to bring you the Designer Insights of Daniel Fairburn.
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1) In your own words describe your unique style and creative aesthetic?
I see furniture as both my passion and my work and sometimes I struggle making the distinction but in a few words, I would say the Industrial and Mid Century genres appeal to me right now at this stage in my life.
2) When starting a new project, what is your creative process?
I draw on my own thoughts, I can’t really explain it but I spend a lot of time thinking and in my head I imagine physically walking through the project from start to finish and seeing what it should look like.
3) Out of the creative people you have worked with, who is it that you respect and admire the most?
I’ve been lucky to meet quite a few but there is one person who stands out. It would have to be my business partner - I’d prefer to not reference his name. He is undoubtedly someone I align myself with regularly and seek guidance from. The hurdles he has come up against would challenge Hollywood story writers both in his personal life and also in business but despite the hardship he has the most stable and unflappable character of anyone I know which still staggers me today.
4) When looking for inspiration is there a particular thing you do to get inspired?
Apart from mindless googling I would say that travelling gives me an enormous energy boost. Fairs and exhibitions where I mingle with other creatives helps me a great deal. Add some aerobic exercise to the mix and I’m away!
5) What has brought you to this point in your career? And what is your advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps?
Be competitive but at the same time humble and never take credit for someone else’s good work as that is a vicious circle. My advice would be don’t believe or rely on luck - just work harder.