Aria Journal:
Jasper Morrison was born in London in 1959. He attended the Royal College of Art and later went on to set up his Office for Design, an international studio designing contemporary furniture, lighting and home accessories to enhance the beauty of the everyday. We take time out to discover his inspiration, process and what design means to him.
Smithfield Suspension Light, for Flos
The iconic Smithfield Pendant Light designed for Flos, has been reimagined in brand new gloss red and green finishes.
"I’ve always liked the industrial and functional character of these lights, and wanted to make a project out of them, looking for some way of making use of their efficiency in delivering light, and the forms themselves which are so much a part of the good atmosphere of industrial spaces”
What do you like most about working with Flos?
"Flos was always the company I wanted to design for. They had so many great designs of Castiglioni and others. Then when Piero Gandini took over and started to mix the classic design approach with something more disruptive it got an edge that made it even more appealing."
Photography by Federico Torra for Flos
Raami Collection, for IIttala
Jasper Morrison is in love with the beauty of the ordinary. The Raami collection designed for Iittala, is a dining collection free from decorative elements, framing food with a family of ceramics and glassware, each one designed to enhance the joy of eating.
“Making a good atmosphere is a human instinct which plays a part in improving the quality of our everyday lives.” Morrison.
When did you realise you wanted to be a designer?
"At 16 or 17 I started noticing design, then I saw an exhibition of Eileen Gray’s work and that convinced me it was something I wanted to do."
What sort of objects do you like to use at home?
"Many of my own designs, mixed with old, new, bought and found pieces. I buy a lot of Danish furniture."
Glo Ball Lighting Collection, for Flos
The Glo Ball Collection, designed by Jasper Morrison for Flos in 1998, combines a series of streamlined forms with the latest lighting technology. The versatile range comprises table and floor lamps, suspension, ceiling and wall lights.
What is the next object you’d like to design?
"I never think about it, most of my designs are accidental, I just have to be ready to catch them when they pop up."
Is there a great designer, artist or musician you regard as a point of reference for your work?
"Too many! But especially Brancusi, Castiglioni, Enzo Mari, Dieter Rams & Eileen Gray."
Set The Table
Discover Jasper Morrison's tableware designs for Alessi, including the best-selling family goblet wine glass and the JM17 Serving Bowls.
Superloon Floor Lamp for Flos
Jasper Morrison's interstellar design or Flos - The Superloon Floor Lamp references the surface of the moon with a 360-degree rotating flat disc LED light with gyroscopic axis.
Photograph by Germano Borrelli
By Jennifer Ring