Tim Gosling is the founder and director of his eponymous design firm, based in London. Tim established his own furniture design firm to have the freedom to design with a wider range of materials and stylistic parameters. He began his journey at a very early age, initially developing his drawing skills as a young child. He now sits with clients and sketches designs as he speaks, to give them a unique vision of what is possible. So we are proud to bring you the Designer Insights of Tim Gosling.
Image Credit: 1-5) Tim Gosling
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1) In your own words describe your unique style and creative aesthetic?
I base all my ideas on historic designs. I do not design furniture that looks like museum pieces from a set era, but I take the essence of a period, immerse myself into the rules and then break a few of them along the way.
2) When starting a new project, what is your creative process?
I start by asking the client if they want to play with the period of the building or against it. I then create a visual ‘wall‘ of ideas and thoughts, so we can sit down and sketch. I sketch, and the clients talk with me throughout.
3) Out of the creative people you have worked with, who is it that you respect and admire the most?
I have a huge amount of admiration for many designers. I am fortunate enough to work with Emily Todd Hunter, Kate Earle and Joanna Wood, who are extraordinary in piecing the space together and the use of all the rooms, personal, public and shared. I have been lucky enough to spend time with Michael Craig Martin and Anthony Gormley, while they create artwork for some extraordinary spaces I have designed. Both of them connect so utterly with the project.
4) When looking for inspiration is there a particular thing you do to get inspired?
Going to the theatre, ballet or opera helps the creative process for me. It makes me look at a different point of view, allows my mind to breathe, while opening up different worlds that we all reference. I also buy a lot of books, contemporary and Antiquarian.
5) What has brought you to this point in your career? And what is your advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps?
Learn as much as possible by discovering you own inherent passion – always ask for help and the world has a wonderful way of supporting you and your enthusiasm. My biggest advice would be to learn to draw. To be able to sketch gives you the greatest tool in the world, to communicate design ideas, without it taking too long or becoming too precious about the final images.
