Location : London, UK
Profession / passion : Furniture and interior designer
Website : www.fredrigbystudio.com
Instagram : @fredrigbystudio

One Day is an ongoing project sparked by the Covid-19. In the days of isolation we would like to focus on what we do best; bringing people together. Read more about the project here.
We will be posting one new day of someones life every day until we run out of contributors. See our instagram stories to experience these peoples One Day in action.

A book everyone should read.
Design as Art by Bruno Munari.

What is the story behind your profession/ passion?
Having a grown up the countryside I was always making and fixing things in the fields and garage. After studying Furniture design at University, I kept making things and this developed into a company designing retail interiors and furniture commissions for homes.

How do you want people to react to your work / passion?
I hope people look at our work and first of like what they see! Secondly find the deeper concepts and details within the pieces. But mostly I hope the designs work, bring a sense of calm but also practicality to a space.

How has the current situation affected how you work?
Fortunately we have several on-going long term and some very pragmatic retail clients, who we’re working out how to adapt the spaces to the new (post quarantine) world with. On the otherside, we’re still producing furniture for peoples homes, I think now people are now relooking at their homes and how to optimise their WFH situation. We’ve also used this time to launch a new website with, for the first time, a webstore, which hopefully makes it easier for people to buy from our collection.

What is the most inspiring text you read recently?
Over the Christmas/New Year break I read a book by Paul Jarvis, called Company of One: Why Staying Small is the Next Big Thing for Business (A relaxing read!) This only seems even more prevalent now and I implore anyone with their own business to read it.

Analog or digital?
Both! We draw up all our pieces and interiors on CAD computer however the process always start with a hand sketch or by making a model. Often we can’t get the details we want on computer so revert back to hand drawings, maquettes and sections. We also utilise technology like CNC and Laser Cutting but I love to have these as hidden details, a Hand Carved Top with an inset Laser Cut Sheet underneath to join the legs.

Lastly, how do wish to see this current situation have a positive impact on our lives?
I think hopefully this has caused people to think and reflect on the impact their lives have on the planet, maybe all the travel we do isn’t completely necessary and a zoom call will suffice. Once we’re out of this stage of quarantine, we’ll relish our friendships and seeing family. So a positive impact for us and the planet!

One Day : Fred Rigby - Furniture & Interior Designer