We asked Tara Ashe from Block to answer our Meet the Maker questions, to give us a little insight into her life as a favourite HBK designer/maker.
Name: Tara Ashe Location: Cornwall
Can you summarise your journey to becoming a designer in five steps?
Developed an interest in Art & Design at school
Moved from Belfast to Bournemouth
Completed foundation course at Bournemouth
Studied Metal work at Plymouth
Formed Block in 2000
What inspires your work? Colour, form and materials.
What is a typical workday for you? A design meeting first thing with the Block team, cup of tea in hand! No day is ever the same, we could be working on prototypes, planning our next trade show stands or arguing over the next colour palette!
Who is your favourite designer/maker? It’s too hard to choose a favourite overall but at the moment we are very inspired by the work of Hay. Their designs are beautifully simple yet considered.
What is your most treasured item of homeware? This yellow vase was my Grandmothers, my mother and her brother bought it in the old Anderson's and Mcauley's shop in Belfast in the 60s. It has huge sentimental value, I always remember it on the piano in her front room filled with daffodils. It is a timeless piece and could have been plucked from the Block range!
Which of your own designs are you most proud of and why? Again it’s too hard to choose a favourite overall! I am very proud of the Sketch Desk Tidy. It’s quite a new addition to the range although a design that had been hidden in sketchbooks for a while. It was tricky to create the lines and illusions within but we are really happy with the outcome.