Graham Powell
1 The Mews, Hyde Place, Leamington Spa, CV32 5BU
E-mail: graham@guineapigdesign.com
Website: www.guineapigdesign.com
Statement
Graham Powell set up Guinea Pig Design in 2001 with the remit of designing and prototyping conceptual “electronica” – product offerings that aim to challenge existing expectations and established human behaviour via alternative design methodologies.
Operating in the ‘Twilight Zone’, conceptual electronic products literally come to life when daylight is banished …a time to dream of other worlds, and reflect upon our current domestic realities. Projects therefore seek to engage with alternative narratives rather than typical issues such as material possession and/or the relentless pursuit of technological progress.
One off designs are constructed from laser cut translucent acrylic panels – finger jointed together and encasing the electronics &/or electromechanical assemblies inside. Illuminated from within, ghostly machinations are literally projected from the inside out, akin to an animated X-ray aesthetic… a reminder of this creative re-appropriation of technology and it’s potential to affect our lives.
The reconsidered domestic products featured here include furniture, television, radio, lighting and ornaments.
Biography
Additional to Guinea Pig Design, Graham is also senior lecturer at Birmingham City University’s Institute of Art & Design on the MA Product Design course (2002+)
Previous to this, his broad ranging background includes a Technician Apprenticeship in Electrical & Electronic Engineering at GEC (1982-86), a Foundation in Art and Design at Stafford College, a Degree in Wood, Metal & Plastics at Wolverhampton Polytechnic, a Masters Degree in Industrial Design Engineering at the Royal College of Art (1993-95), Design Engineer for Dyson – vacuum cleaners (1995-96), Design Manager for “Babysphere” – innovative pushchairs (1996-99) and Head of Product Design & Development for “Mathmos” – Lava Lamps and LED lighting (1999-2001).
He is a member of the Design Transformation Group (est. 1996) - an organisation which seeks to push at the boundaries of design via creative residences, workshops and resultant publications.
Along with part time tutoring at BCU he also taught on MA Industrial Design courses at the Royal College of Art, London (2001-2004) and Central Saint Martins, London (2001-2005).
Exhibitions
‘Product Placement’ (September 2002) – Solo Fringe exhibition in Waterloo, as part of London’s International Design Fair
‘Inside the Box’ (May-June 2005) – solo exhibition in the temporary gallery, Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa
‘Looking for an Argument’ – (May – June 2005) a fringe exhibition at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, Space Gallery, Brooklyn, New York
‘HearWear’ (July 2005 – March 2006) – ) 1 of 15 influential design outfits rethinking hearing aids for the RNID at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London
‘Boxed In’ (September 2006) – a fringe exhibition in the Designers Block event, Shoreditch as part of London’s International Design Fair
‘Interiors Birmingham (January 2007) – UCE stand at Birmingham’s International Furniture Fair
Publications
Articles for 3 Design Transformation Group publications (1997-2002)
Contributor for Design & Emotion conference/publication – Loughborough University 2003
Entries written for 999 Design Classics (Phaidon, 2006)
Press
A wide range of media including TV, Radio Newspaper and Magazine articles since 1990 (see website for further details)
