“Is that an eyeball?” I asked. “No…but you’re the second person to ask me that this week!” Junior answered. “Only the second? And isn’t that the optic nerve?” No and no! It wasn’t an eyeball!! And the thought wasn’t even on his mind when he cast these Liteballs in concrete. Needing a lot of help in my garden and looking for dog-proof, water-proof, energy-efficient solutions was at the front of my mind, and his LCD Liteball was the answer!

Junior Phipps, is a London-based furniture and product designer specialized in concrete applications for residential and commercial interiors and exteriors . Often working on commission, Junior is the designer behind Conscious Forms which exhibited in Milan during Salone Satellite in April as part of the Hidden Art collective. Just as much as I liked the Liteball, I liked Junior’s enthusiasm about Hidden Art, his colleagues, and his work. It put me in a good mood to face the torrential downpour that seems to plague the Salone in the spring!!! (I never like to face bad weather!)

Name: Junior Phipps
Birthplace: London
Studies/year of graduation: BA Hons 3d Design, 1995. MA Furniture Design Technology, 1997
Profession/how long you’ve been there: Founded Conscious Forms, furniture/product design consultancy in 2004, working predominantly to commission but also producing own range of interior/exterior products that celebrates concrete. Associate Lecturer at the University of the Arts London
Left handed or Right handed: Mainly right
Favorite dessert: Carrot cake

Sketch something you remember from your childhood

Me and my wheels with the all important basket on the front.

Object/Icon you wish you had designed and why?
Pretty much most of the work of the inspirational guru Thomas Heatherwick, in particular, his Rolling Bridge in the Paddington Basin, completely breath taking design, art and engineering all encompassed

The aspect of your work you never tire of?
Seeing people enjoying using your creations

One color/pattern we’ll never see in your design portfolio.
Never say never!

You’ll know you’ve made it when…
…I have successfully completed my sustainable ecological retreat guest house up in the mountain in the Caribbean, a place to escape cold winters.

Liteball

Lite3

Splat! Clock (textured concrete)

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