Kevin Boyd Keeping it simple

Today is the third day in a row that I bring you an interview. This time I interviewed Kevin Boyd, a minimalistic designer from Durban who writes about himself that “he studied architecture but became scared of estate housing”. So his journey continued to advertising and graphics and interior design. It seems that he landed everywhere.

The genesis of this interview is that I read an article on the blog Poppytalk: http://www.kevinboyd.co.za/work/colour-cafe/ and had the idea to contact Kevin to see if he was willing to be interviewed about the project “Colour Cafe”. He replied immediately and we started an email conversation that actually led to another project which is close to his heart: Afro’s.

A. You mention a project that is close to your heart is Afro’s. Please let me know how this project came about, why the client chose you and what your intention is for this project.

The client was an existing client of mine that I had done other design work for. My intention is to maintain food quality and local design honesty no matter how much it grows.

Quote from About Afro’s (a document that Kevin sent to me to give further information about the project): “Afro’s is the brainchild of a food lover, a minimalist designer, a musical insurance broker and a well-travelled chef. It started with a chicken sauce that was too good not to share, and as the idea grew the Afro’s shape took form: a proudly local food offering that is mobile enough to serve the best chicken to any area of the city.”

B. You say that you create simple and uncluttered designs. You write very little about yourself in your About section and in the Work section on your website. Do you think simple design needs no explanation? Or is it because you don’t like writing?

I actually do enjoy writing, but I like images to speak for themselves. It also takes a lot more thought to say something in fewer words. Much like design I suppose.

C. Your work is all-round work. You do graphics, interior and furniture design. You say that you love nuances and details. Would you prefer to design “the whole thing” – from naming to graphics to interior? Or are you happy to do any part of the design and if so where do you feel you are best in the more graphic two dimensional work or in the designing of three dimensional objects and interiors?

I don’t like the idea of being a “jack of all trades” but I believe that something that is conceived and designed from beginning to end by one designer usually pans out more honest.

If I take all the elements in bite size chunks, and if I have enough time, I can still focus on the details. If I have to choose, I’m probably strongest on the 3D side.

 

D. What are your professional dreams? Any project you’d live to work on? Any client you’d love to work for?

Ultimately I’d like to develop a product line so that I can be my own client. Designing from scratch with each new client and each new brief is good fun, but it isn’t the best use of time.

E. What does a day in your life start with? What daily routine do you need to work best?

Breakfast. Favourite meal of the day. I go to bed dreaming about it. Then I try to look at a couple design blogs to avoid reading my email.

F. How does your design process work? 

I spend a Lot of time thinking (designing in the head). I only start executing once I’ve got most things resolved in my mind. I’m probably guilty of not sketching enough. When I do, it feels good.

G. What inspires you? Are your inspirations more international or local?

I think I get inspired by very random everyday things. But it’s what I love about being a designer. You can “work” no matter where you are. Often results in the glazed-over look when in boring

conversation with someone. But then I get a lot of inspiration from blogs too. usually international. so there’s always a balance.

H. Where in the world do you feel your work is understood best? Is there a place you feel you would rather work other than South Africa, Durban?

It’s probably not south africa. I often see people looking a bit confused with what I’ve done. But that’s what Excites me about being here, and in Durban in particular. There’s the opportunity to stand out, grow and educate the public.

 

Photo credits: kevinboyd.co.za.