Exquisite March 2018

designpeople
Learning from
the Best
Furniture and product designer
Jarrod Lim lands a coveted working
apprenticeship with Patricia
Urquiola at her studio in Milan
Patricia Urquiola is one of the most coveted architects
and designers today. she is known for her contemporary
experimental yet simple designs with playful colour and
ethnic charm that communicate with us. The Milanbased
Spanish designer, together with WOHA, created awardwinning
OASIA Downtown in Singapore.
A Chat with
furniture designer Jarrod Lim about working
with Patricia Urquiola in Milan
She is also very selective and elusive. It takes Singaporebased
Australian designer Jarrod Lim several tries. After shyly
approaching Urquiola at an event in Melbourne while he was
a university student and asking to work with her; after sending
numerous emails that came to nought; after travelling to Milan
and showing up at the designer’s studio with portfolio in hand
– dream becomes reality. Urquiola finally says ‘ok’ and Jarrod
earns a 15-month working stint at her studio in Milan.
“Her studio in Milan was very small at the time with just 10
of us and it was all very hands on. It was like being back at
university, sanding things, making models and that sort of
stuff. She was great to work for and took me to all the big
manufacturers she worked with like B&B Italia and Moroso.”
After Milan with Patricia Urquiola, and invaluable insight into
International Design and its exceptionally high standards,
Jarrod returns to Singapore and opens his dream studio in Joo
Chiat.
Jarrod Lim Designs and owner Jarrod Lim begin to create
furniture and products with beautiful International and Asian
aesthetic simplicity that go on to win several awards.
Why did you choose Patricia Urquiola and
Milan after your design studies in Australia?
Patricia’s studio was one of my top choices to work at. It was
2003 and Patricia’s star was really on the rise at the time. I had
been following her work for a while while I was studying, and
really loved what she was doing. I just connected with her
design style.
How did you get the famous Spanish designer
to let you be her apprentice at her studio in
Milan?
She came to Melbourne to give a talk while I was still studying
there, so after the talk I timidly approached her and asked if I
could come and work for her. She said to contact her studio
when she was back in Milan so I emailed a few times without
any real replies. Then I just turned up in Milan and asked again
in person. Nothing was confirmed before I arrived so I hoped
just by being there that she would let me in – and she finally
said yes.
What did you learn and what did you do to
polish your design skills?
What I really learned was an international perspective on
design; how top level designers think and work with the best
companies and how they view trends, materials. I learned
about the entire life of a designer.
You showed her your portfolio – what do you
think caught her eye?
I think what caught her eye was that I was making my own
small items in ceramic at the time and that I was quite
experimental.
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