If there’s one person you should keep an eye on in the coming years it’s young Singapore-based designer Jarrod Lim. His playful yet refined furniture designs are reminiscent of the Established & Sons stable of products, but Lim is looking to build his own brand from his shop-front on Joo Chiat Road.
“My studio is housed in a small shop in an old heritage area of Singapore. But surprisingly it’s right next to a red light district, so it’s always interesting,” Lim explains.
Focusing on wood, a strong part of the local design vernacular, Lim’s latest collection – showcased at the recent Milan furniture Fair – includes the Hi Ho rocking horse, “or the rocking sheep as people are calling it”. Much like those ubiquitous Magis puppies, the Hi Ho allows you to indulge the child within.
“I launched 11 new products during Milan,” the designers says. “I have been working with a local manufacturer of mostly wooden furniture for the past year, so most of [them] were wood based.”
“Although my recent use of wood may also be a product of my location. Since moving to Singapore I have been much more exposed to the techniques of wooden furniture manufacturing in the South East Asia region.”
Lim – who grew up in Australia and studied at RMIT – feels that the Singapore design scene is more focused on the dollar, but has recently received a boost from increased government attention. As a young nation Singapore also gives Lim the chance to explore his own design philosophy.
“I’m not completely engaged with any one design tradition,” he says. “I have a fondness for Scandinavian and Japanese styles, mostly because of the clean lines and the honesty within the designs. But I also like to add some playfulness into my products and I like the fusion of elements. Very clean with a hint of fun.”
“In my designs I investigate how people relate to a particular object and I try and emphasise that,” he says. “It could be the way people hang a jacket or bag on the back of a seat, or place the bag on the seat next to them. It’s these small moments that I find most inspiring.”
Until Lim secures distribution, you can purchase a number of his products directly from the designer. If you want our advice, get in early to secure a piece of this emerging designer’s first collections.
Jarrod Lim
jarrodlim.com