Graduating just three years ago, Brighton-based designer Kyle Bean can already count BBC, Hermes, Wallpaper*, Gucci, GQ, The New York Times and Time amongst his clients. Fair to say things are going well for the young craftsman then. Collaborating with photographers and directors, and working on window displays and installations; Bean’s work displays a magical touch with whatever material he turns his hand to (from eggshells to lightbulbs, jelly to motorbikes).
Deftly crafting tube maps from plastic straws, portraits from pencil shavings, and nuclear explosions from feathers, there’s surely no end to what Bean can offer – and with a client list like that, at this age, the young design talent is sure to startle and surprise for many years to come. We spoke to Kyle, putting him through the paces of our Create GB Q&A, and here’s what he had to say…
Where’s your hometown, and where are you based now?
I was born in Exteter, Devon, but as a family we moved along the South coast to Chichester when I was 6. I have lived in Brighton since 2007.
Is Britain’s creative industry too London-centric?
Being based in Brighton myself, I am certainly constantly feeling the pressure of having to be in or near London. I work with a lot of London-based photographers and clients, and so I am back and forth quite a lot for shoots and meetings. There are little creative hubs outside of London though that seem to be doing really well. Brighton for example has a huge digital design community, and there are a lot of web design/development and interactive media studios in the area.
I find myself constantly surrounded by creative individuals in Brighton too, with their own niche creative practices. It is inspiring to be around creative people where I live who are successful in very different areas to myself. For me, certainly for my kind of work and the types of clients I work for, it would probably make more sense for me to be in London, but for the time being anyway I happen to really enjoy the lifestyle of being away from London half of the time.
How would you describe British creativity?
From what I can tell, British creativity is hugely diverse – and on the whole strives to be innovative, and seems to set new trends globally. I do feel like Britain as a whole is a great country to study an art or design related course too. I am biased of course, but from how I have heard and witnessed similar art and design courses being taught elsewhere, it makes me feel lucky and proud that I have been guided the way that I have in Britain as a creative individual. We definitely value good ideas above all else and I enjoy being around people who have that belief too.
If we could replace the Queen on bank notes with one iconic British design, which would you choose?
If it could be an object, I would say the Anglepoise lamp by British designer George Carwardine. In my view it has the perfect balance of function and visual beauty.
Are there any quintessential British traditions that inform your work?
Socialising with other creatives at a good local pub over a pint on a Friday afternoon is probably the best I can think of!
Will you be watching the Olympics?
I’m not a huge fan of sport, but I think it will be difficult to avoid to be honest.
If creativity was an Olympic sport, who’s the one person you’d want to represent Britain on the global stage?
Probably Jonathan Ive, the senior vice president of industrial design at Apple. He always seems to get things just right.
You couldn’t live without…
My scalpel (with plenty of blades).
What makes you smile?
Friends, good films, cat videos (I struggle to find anyone who doesn’t agree).
The best piece of advice you’ve ever been given…
Its actually something Picasso said, but via my old art teacher who is now a good friend of mine…
“It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.” Pablo Picasso
Although I rarely paint, the premise for what Picasso said is really important to me. Children are so naturally creative and as we get older it becomes increasingly more difficult to retain that spark and inquisitive nature that children have. Creativity is all about being inquisitive and I often feel like my best work is basically an extension of my childhood interests. So when client pressure mounts, I just have to remind myself of what Picasso said.
Fish and chips, Cornish pasties… what’s your favourite British dish?
Being from the West Country I have always been partial to a good pasty.
