Design is all about making things, and the way we make things has undergone a revolution in recent years. From 3D printing to crowd-funding, there have never been more tools for enterprising designers to step out of corporate employment and set up on their own.Blouin ARTINFO is launching Cool by Design, a series designed to showcase the enterpreneurial spirit, and creative flair, of design start-ups around the world.Born in Zimbabwe but raised in Australia, graduate of the Eindhoven Design Academy, Jonathan Ben-Tovim spent years working for Goodwin Hartshorn in London before moving back to Australia. There, he worked for Charlwood before founding Ben-Tovim Design in 2011, an industrial design consultancy with its own range of lighting and furniture. Today, his work is exhibited widely, at design fairs in Milan, the Netherlands and all around Australia, as well as Dubai, where he has been selected to represent Australian emerging design by at Dubai Design Week in October.Name: Ben-Tovim DesignMakes: Lighting, Furniture, Industrial DesignSince: 2011Based in: Melbourne, AustraliaHow many people do you employ: 1-2 Casual staff (plus Jonathan Ben-Tovim full time)Age of oldest employee: 39Age of youngest employee: 22Name & Role of Person Answering the Questions: Jonathan Ben-Tovim, DirectorWho are you, and how many are you?I am the founder/Director of Ben-Tovim Design. I am an Australian industrial designer.The company - what exactly do you do?I do bits of everything! Design the products, manage orders and stock, marketing, photography. The only help I get is some casual staff who help fabricate the products.And what do you definitely not do?In terms of my business, there is nothing I don’t do....except my tax return. I have an accountant for that.What did you do before starting this business?I studied industrial design in Adelaide, then did a masters at the Design Academy Eindhoven under Gijs Bakker. I then worked for an Industrial Design consultancy in London called Goodwin Hartshorn. We worked on products like loudspeakers, medical devices and kitchen utensils. I learned a great deal from this job. I then moved backed to Australia and worked for another Industrial Design consultancy called Charlwood. Then finally I set up my own business.What is your most popular product?The Rough Diamond Pendant series has been the most popular product. The success of this product really pushed me down the path of doing my own products. Initially I thought my business would be more industrial design consultancy for other people.Where can one buy your products?Direct from my website! www.b-td.comWho buys your products? Where?Mostly interior designers and architects in Australia, but I am starting to sell more internationally.What is your typical day in the office?Luckily for me I have great variation in my workdays. Sometimes it is managing the nuts and bolts of fulfilling orders. Ordering stock, contacting fabricators etc. Sometimes I am in the workshop working on pieces. On a good day I might get to do some designing....and emails, everyday.What important lesson have you learned in the last year?Don’t get caught in the artificially created ‘rush’ mentality that seems to have infiltrated the modern world. Otherwise life will pass by without you ever getting a chance to enjoy it!And what is the best thing that has happened to you since starting the business?Probably when a customer says to me that the product I created for them is their favourite thing in their house. You can’t ask for much more than that as a designer.How would you describe your design community?The design community in Melbourne is young and energetic, and really taking off at the moment. It is great to be a part of this movement of independent designers. Designers in Australia are much more focused on creating products that people will use, rather than just chasing fame and publicity. I think this is a good thing.What are you presenting at Dubai Design Week?I will be presenting several lighting pieces including the Rough Diamond Chandelier and the Up-Down Light using some new materials. Dubai Design Week will be my only international fair for 2015, so come and say hi!In five years, design will be...Infiltrated by a wave of new Australian design!Click on the slideshow to see more Jonathan Ben-Tovim's designs.
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