Adelaide-born Liam Mugavin runs an award-winning design studio. In partnership with Hostplus, we find out how he developed, and deepened, his practice.
Liam Mugavin’s Tangle table looks complex. A round pane of glass appears to balance freely on three Tasmanian oak triangles, interwoven in a striking, intricate display.
It’s one of the first pieces the Adelaide-born Mugavin made through his own business, Liam Mugavin Design, and it remains a best seller.
“I’ve lost count of how many I’ve sold,” he says. “Somewhere between 100 and 200. After making so many, it’s still a pleasure and a challenge.”
The design is indicative of his attraction to unconventional forms, made with simple materials and traditional techniques. Having studied industrial design at the University of South Australia, Mugavin’s appreciation for clean design was deeply influenced by four years he spent living in northern Japan.
“I gained a deeper understanding of materiality and aesthetics in Japan,” says Mugavin. “It has an extensive history and culture, which has resulted in a refined aesthetic. It’s not only visual, it’s a philosophy that pervades so many aspects of Japanese life, and I try to apply it to my approach.”
When Mugavin returned home, he enrolled at the JamFactory, an internationally recognised design institution in Adelaide.
“I joined their Associate Training Program,” says Mugavin. “It was a two-year intensive program, which gave me training and mentorship to developing my own practice.” He says the experience was an essential stepping stone in developing his skills and business model.
“It was two years working six days a week, often doing 12 hours or more a day, and barely making enough money to scrape by,” he says. “Some people might complain about it, but that’s just what it takes to get started. When you love it, the hours come easily and money doesn’t matter.”
The experience paid off. Skills developed in the program led Mugavin to creating the Koto Light, which won the 2015 Clarence Prize for Excellence in Furniture Design, a $20,000 award for designers and makers in Australia. Mugavin used the money to move to Sydney where he opened his own design studio, which specialises in furniture and lighting, particularly designs using timber.
“I do use other materials, such as metals and stone, when a design calls for it,” he says. “But I would rather master a single material than be a jack of all trades. Timber has a depth, variety and warmth that no other material can match.”
Since moving to Sydney, Mugavin has made his mark with interior fitouts for Cam Price and Joe Pags’ collection of vegan and sustainable cafes, including Brooklands Coffee Co. Martin Place, Zeitgeist and Coffee Bondi Beach.
“I knew I wanted to be a designer and wanted to realise my own designs,” says Mugavin. “I love the autonomy and freedom of doing projects that interest me. It requires an equal balance of cognitive and physical work that can be very challenging but also very rewarding.”
This article is presented in partnership with Hostplus, superannuation you can take with you throughout your career.
