Q&A with Helen Kontouris, Designer and Founding Director of How We Create

Interview by Simone LeAmon

How We Create is the brainchild of Australian designer Helen Kontouris and manufacturer Norman Johnson. Together they are the founding directors of this new initiative, which aims to establish a culture of dialogue between Australian designers and manufactures. In the following interview Helen tells us why she believes this culture is necessary.

S.L: Helen, I am really excited that we have this opportunity to talk about How We Create. Can you tell us what motivated yourself and Norman to establish this environment for Australian designers and manufacturers to come together?

H.K: During our numerous discussions on the future of the design and manufacturing in Australia we realised that there was a real need for a platform, which could provide the information and resources required to get a design project or idea off the ground. Essentially we wanted to create an environment for transparency, where sharing information actually assisted in helping the designer’s ideas become reality.

S.L: I imagine that you will be performing a key role in steering How We Create towards its objectives. What type of things will you be doing behind the scenes?

H.K: We need the design and manufacturing industries to communicate and work together more frequently. My agenda for How We Create is to assist in facilitating this. This web portal is just the beginning in terms of its scope and the vision I have for How We Create. It has incredible potential.

S.L: How can other Australian designers contribute, what type of stories and conversation starters are ideal at this time?

H.K: Anyone who becomes a member can contribute their projects. Non members can of course view a lot of relevant information on the portal as well.



S.L: Your relationship with Palamont is an excellent case study for Australian designers who are wishing to explore joint ventures with local manufactures. At what point did you form the opinion that to do business with Australian owned and operated companies that greater entrepreneurial behaviour was required?

H.K: Over the years I have found that many manufacturers are skeptical to work on new or challenging projects. It’s not until a manufacturer realises that you are not going to let the idea die that they become more intrigued. This is when they become engaged and excited to be working on a project, sometimes away from their core business and sometimes where new business opportunities or skills lay.

S.L: Can you tell us about the How We Create presentation at Saturday In Design in Melbourne?

H.K: We are presenting the ‘How We Create Installation’ which is my vision of Utopia. Within this installation is a launch of a new planter I have designed called ‘Zoie’ which perfectly illustrates the partnership between designer and manufacturer to create a market ready product. The How We Create (HWC) portal also has its launch during Saturday In Design and goes live showcasing ‘Zoie’ as well as many other projects from the Architecture, Design and manufacturing industries. After the launch of the portal it will essentially continue to become a sponge, containing a massive knowledge base, inspiring end outcomes, contacts and a place for sharing information.



SL: Working with Australian manufacturers has been on your radar for close to a decade. Can you offer any advise to Australian designers who also believe passionately in local capabilities and markets on how best to approach industry and pitch a commercial design proposition?

H.K: I often get asked this question and the simple truth is that if you try to understand the companies needs, where they are moving, their niche market and their customer's needs then you are closer to understanding their business, rather than a completely random approach. What I know for sure is that our manufacturers have the skills and capabilities to produce your ideas to the highest levels required. The problem I have identified is that many of these companies have no idea of their skill levels - we have a culture of design and manufacturing which is so humble that it is generally unaware of its own talent and I think it is about time we start realising it rather than believing that you need to travel 20 hours across the globe in order to find it.

S.L: Helen, thank you for providing us with some insights into the How We Create initiative and your thoughts on the sector.

H.K: I’m really excited to be a part of something I strongly believe will give so much to our industries.