SIX DOTS FOR SCRT®

This week, we catch up with Joe — object and furniture designer, and founder of Six Dots Design. Exploring his creative process, his journey into design, and hear how he’s found working in our Creative Uniform Jacket. 

Hey Joe, can you tell us a bit more about yourself/ how you started making furniture?

Hey! So I am Joe Ellwood, I run Six Dots Design, we design and make unique objects out of mostly aluminium. 

Six Dots Design aims to promote: self expression, imperfection and self determination inside and beyond the home environment. We use expressive forms, raw materials and visible imperfections to challenge established norms of the interiors we exist within. We hope that when someone owns one of our pieces they feel a little bit more like themselves, accepted as who they are and empowered to do things for themselves. 

I always have made things, I got my first saw at aged 4 and my first welder at 14. My practice today is basically a slightly more organised version of my bedroom and garage from when I was a child. 

I left school and Studied architecture at the university of Bath and then the Royal College of art, during my undergrad I started to work for a furniture maker and completely fell in love with how easy it was to think of something and make it happen and for it to be a real product out there in the world. 

I launched my first collection of aluminium pieces whilst studying at the RCA and was really lucky to start getting commissions and orders. After graduation I was able to launch straight into the business full time.

Anything in particular that drew you to working with bespoke furniture? 

I really just love the ability to immediately express myself in a medium that is both useful and narrative. I have no idea why furniture or why aluminium, they just felt right and it’s continued to feel right for quite a few years now. 

⁠Can you talk us through the process behind making your pieces?

We start with a rough sketch on paper and then immediately try to make it.

 I find that there's often too much time spent on a computer model or foam prototype in design. I want to know what the real piece will look and feel like as soon as possible. 

We then use a laser cut service to cut all of the flat sheets into place before cutting, grinding and welding everything into shape!

Any artists/creators that inspire you?

So many to name! I think Gaudi has had a huge influence on me but honestly so has a lot of contemporary culture. I love reality TV and pop music and often find I am just as inspired by a tiny desk concert as I am a piece of design. 

For me, it's easy for inspiration to turn into negative comparisons. I'll often look at instagram and get flooded with makers creating these incredible pieces and feeling then inadequate in some way so I really try to keep my mind free from idolising specific designers.

How have you found working in the Creative Uniform?

The creative uniform immediately became the jacket I wear every day to the workshop. The crop of it, pockets and thick cotton make it a perfect workwear jacket.

All time favourite film/album?

That’s impossible to say. My favourite film for a long time was Juno and my favourite album was the white album but it really depends on the mood I'm in the day I’m watching or listening!

📸 @_ambapittardwatt

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