Trained as a professional dancer, Colin King is now one of the most sought-after interior stylists and product designers. He currently lives in Tribeca, New York City, USA, balancing work on set with design in his studio. We talked to the multi-talented creative about his passion for design and how the new Colin King collection for Audo came about.
Colin, thank you so much for your time!
You're not only a successful dancer but also a sought-after designer. When did you discover your passion for design?
I don't think I could pinpoint a specific moment. But I've always used the camera to capture a particular way of seeing. Capturing things, rearranging them again and again and, in doing so, discovering a deeper meaning in the everyday.
Creativity plays a big part in your life. How did design become your profession?
I actually have no formal design training. After studying dance in New York, I shifted my creativity to interiors and started working with various design companies. I taught myself along the way, spending hours visiting museums and galleries and leafing through books.
What shaped your principles?
Having grown up in rural Ohio, I've always had a deep appreciation for nature and feel closely connected to it in my work too. On top of that, as a dancer I developed a vocabulary that goes beyond spoken language. The way I approach design is much looser than the industry "standard".
Who or what has influenced your creativity most?
We're all shaped by our experiences and the many people who come into our lives over time. From dance teachers to university professors who saw in me what I couldn't see in myself. These people encouraged me to pursue a career I never thought I could achieve.
It's often a long way from idea to product. What does your design process look like?
It usually starts with a visual reference - a starting point. I browse through my image archives, and every time I look through them with a new project in mind, I see something I hadn't seen before. Or I see something familiar in a completely new light.
At first, I try not to plan too much. A project has to be able to breathe, so that there's room for the spontaneous and unexpected. When everything comes together harmoniously in the end, it brings a whole new sense of confidence. That makes it easier each time to let opportunities – and risks – come my way.
What philosophy lies behind your projects?
Nature humbles me and reminds me to let go of perfection. There's so much beauty to discover in unexpected places. Nothing should feel too modern or too classic, because there's always a middle ground. Throughout life we keep learning about balance, so it's only natural that this influences my designs and projects too.
What do you like most about your work as an interior stylist and product designer?
The best thing about any job is working with other creative people. My favourite projects are the ones that put people themselves at the centre. The moment you step back and see the work of your hands, the result of a team or the photos from a shoot is like a bookmark for a new chapter.
The most exciting thing about designing a product is seeing people use it in ways I could never have imagined.
Are there other creative fields that influence your work?
Whether it's photography, art or film - I'm always inspired by makers. People who create something with their own hands. Those who take the everyday and turn it into something beautiful. Those who have the confidence to express themselves and are fearless about who they are.
Music has a big influence on me too. It can transport me to another place and time, or help me stay grounded in the present.
A special piece from your COLIN KING COLLECTION for Audo is the Interconnect candle holder. What inspired this design?
I started with the scale and knew I wanted to create something with real presence. Something expansive that can stand on its own or form a harmonious whole with other objects.
It was important to me that it could be used as a sculpture that looks just as good with or without a lit candle. I wanted to create something that has a life of its own beyond its actual purpose.
Developing Interconnect took almost a year. What influenced its style?
Geometry and dramatic proportions. In my eyes, there are flawless basic principles of geometry. The shapes that express this well are a sphere, an angle and a line. Simple shapes are exaggerated, creating an object whose simplicity speaks volumes.
It's a sculptural piece with weight, and it becomes more beautiful with every scuff, every scratch and every bit of wax left behind by a candle that's been lit.
Colin, thank you so much for your time and this fascinating insight!
