Where did you study and what was the course title?
I studied Product Design as part of the Masters of European Design program which allowed me to study at three different schools across Europe, in Glasgow School of Arts, ENSCI Paris and KISD Cologne.
Name of your lecturer – course tutor?
Zoë Prosser.
Have you got a creative mission statement?
To create experiences that play with our sense and perceptions of spaces in both cultural and urban contexts.
How did you feel about winning the attention of the judges – what does it mean to you?
I felt grateful for the questions asked by the judges, they challenged my approach and intentions and helped me identify the strengths and weaknesses of my work. It was a great conversation that allowed me to project the concept into a more practical realisation.
How important is colour in your work and why?
My approach to colour was quite playful and intuitive with educational aims. This urban scenography invites colour and light into a dark and grey urban space to transform commuters’ experiences of the site. Through interactive installations, passersby can experiment with color theory by mixing the primary colors and their projected shadows, revealing the playful potential of cities’ liminal spaces. The project encourages schools and kids passing through to experience the relationships between different colours and interpret their ludic cues. In this work, colour is used to give a space purpose and meaning to the local communities.
What is your main source of inspiration?
I am drawn to the work of Daniel Buren, James Turrell, Ólafur Elíasson who use light and color to manipulate atmospheres and sensations of spaces. I also admire the craft of stained glass artists and their way of composing with light and colour.
What makes you happiest/most fulfilled in your creative process?
The experimentation part of the process feels very exciting and free. I enjoy exploring concepts by making and looking for different materials and the effects that they produce.
Creative high point?
It was very important for me to test the installations in their context and scale. Observing people’s reactions and the way they interact with the scenography was very inspiring. I’m intrigued by people’s interpretations of public installations and how they are appropriated. For example, children were jumping across the colorful shadows, creating new games, while teenagers turned it into a popular selfie spot. They transformed the narrative of the space, from a neglected underpass to a social and playful place.
Creative low point?
One of the challenges of this project was to connect with the local community and users of the space. I learned a lot from engaging with people who are not familiar with design methods and I experimented with different ways to understand their perceptions of the space and involve them in the creative process.
Where do you want to be in 3 years’ time?
In 3 years time I hope to be part of a small design collective gathering creatives from different fields and expertise and working on projects in public and cultural contexts. I am excited to work interdisciplinary, discover and experiment with new techniques and materials, and improve my understanding of spaces and experiences.
Please tell us about a special person during your studies/life who has really made a difference to you on your creative journey.
I spent a year working as a design assistant for the multidisciplinary artist and choreographer Charlotte Triebus, and I am very grateful for her generosity in sharing her knowledge, trust, and ideas. She invited me into the dance world that fascinates me and gave me the freedom to bring my concepts through digital experiences, fashion, research, and experimentation. Her support allowed me to gain confidence and develop my design practice at the intersection of arts, design, and immersive experiences. Charlotte's interdisciplinary approach to creation and her ability to manage teams from diverse fields deeply inspired me and continues to influence my work.
What is your favourite colour?
At the moment I particularly enjoy combinations of green, orange and brown.
Image credits: Julie Farré
Email: juliefarre@icloud.com
Website: https://juliefarre.cargo.site/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliefarre/