Dublin City Enterprise News Talks To...... Raymond Kinghan
In this issue, we chat to Raymond Kinghan from Forms of Life.
Raymond is one of 20 designers and craftspeople who are taking part in the Designer Dublin Craft Studio Trail on June 10th, which is part of the Designer Dublin initiative to celebrate the Year of Craft.
From 5pm to 8pm on June 10th, the designers are opening their studios to the public for free to give people an opportunity to buy work directly from the makers, who will be offering discounts for one night only.
Some information about Raymond and Forms of Life....
Established in 1993, Forms of Life has been steadily growing over the past 18 years. Working from his studios in Longwood Lane in Portobello, Raymond finds the work challenging but rewarding! In fact, he can’t imagine doing anything else!
Why did you set up your own business? And have you got any assistance along the way?
As an artist, I saw no other option. My work is what I have to do and working as a designer in someone else’s company paid the bills, but did not help my cause.
My parents gave me moral support, friends gave emotional support, and thankfully, state agencies gave financial support. So far, the Dublin City Enterprise Board have been relentless in their marketing support.
The upside/downside to being your own boss?
With total control comes total responsibility. There is nowhere to pass the buck. This is both rewarding and exhausting.
Have you learned any important lessons along the way about running a business?
The quality of the work and the quality of the relationships which I develop with my clients are paramount. It is essential that these qualities be maintained in equal measure.
Have you any advice you could give to someone wanting to start a business for the first time?
THINK! If you don’t love what you are doing now, you’re not going to love it after twenty years in Business.
And in 5 years time?
The work (which is at present in many countries) will be all over the planet. I’ll have more people around me and will be making more trips abroad to give lectures. Despite this, I hope that I’ll still be living in Dublin.
What businessperson or business in Ireland do you admire, and why?
Again, speaking as an artist, I reserve my admiration for artists. The one to whom I would give this honour is Seamus Heaney. As a representative of Irish artists and of Irish people in general, I feel that he is our best ambassador, long may he reign!
Our thanks to Raymond for taking part in our interview.
For more information about Forms of Life, please visit: www.raymondkinghan.com or contact Raymond by phone (01) 4549588 or 087 2387377, or e-mail: Raymond@raymondkinghan.com .
The Designer Dublin Craft Studio Trail
Over twenty design studios showing a once off ‘behind the scenes’ look at their studios. This is a free event and gives the public an opportunity to buy work direct from the makers who are offering fantastic discounts for one night only on giftware, jewellery, fashion homeware and accessories.
• Date: 10th June
• Time: 5-8 pm
• Venue: Dublin City Centre, in various craft studios
• Website: http://designerdublin.ie/explore-craft/