INTERVIEW: TERENCE CONRAN
Terence Conran, interviewed when he formally opened the Museum in April 2008, describes the many similarities between his ideas and enthusiasms, and those of Gordon Russell. He emphasizes that Gordon Russell was so much more than just a designer; he was interested in the product but also in the life that surrounded it – the garden, the food, the hotel keeping – all of what is now termed as lifestyle. Conran also enthuses on the importance of this Museum for continuing his interest in design education. Conveying the meaning of design, and the process of making things, to future generations.
FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN
For ambitious young designers in the post war years the Festival of Britain both focused the country’s attention on the quality of contemporary design, and gave a much needed impetus to creative confidence and opportunity. Trevor Chinn enthuses about the excitement of the Festival and Ray Leigh describes how it gave him the opportunity to begin working with the Russell family, initially for Dick Russell on the design of one of the Festival buildings.