Eleanor Murphy, a collaborator
Eleanor Murphy
Eleanor Murphy is the 3rd generation of collaborators at TMDC. She is also studying at Kingston, London. She has such a dedication and curiosity for design and fabrication and that helped her step up her game massively. Not just that, she is the happiest person to help out others in their process. She has definitely been a great knowledge spreader!
instagram - emurphydesign
TMDC: You have been working at TMDC for almost a year. How came your choice to come from the UK to Spain and especially to TMDC? Did you have a special project in mind?
Eleanor: Arriving on the 6th November 2020, I spent 9 months living in Barcelona and working for TMDC. I knew that I wanted to work abroad and had spoken to a friend (Matt) who had worked for TMDC previously. Through his Instagram and TMDC’s Instagram and website I got an idea of the types of projects that were possible and thought it would be the perfect place to experiment with a range of processes and materials.
How would you describe your experience at TMDC in 3 words?
“Thought-provoking, Community, Connected”
What do you study in the UK? And how did the experience at TMDC enrich your further studies?
I am about to start my final year of my studies at Kingston school of art in London where I study Product and Furniture design on a three year course. Having this year out and working at TMDC has given me an insight in to the industry. It has allowed my making confidence to grow, being taught a greater tool and machine knowledge which will positively influence my projects ahead.
Which part of the process do you prefer, designing or making? And from where do you get your inspiration?
Both aspects are equally valuable. I tend to design through making and experimentation, either with process or material. I would struggle to design something without understanding the process of how it can be made, so for me one doesn’t happen without the other. I get inspiration from my surroundings and environment. Often things will catch my eye and I will take some time to understand and appreciate it. I might take a photograph or a quick sketch knowing it may influence a project in the future.
What exactly were your task at TMDC and was there any type of project that marked you specially?
While at TMDC I had a range of task, one of which was the maintenance of the workshop which meant making sure the tools and machines we provided were in working order, keeping a level of cleanliness to workshop and helping members who needed assistance around the workshop.
I also supported several classes of design students from Barcelonas design university Elisava. Helping classes of both product design and engineering undergraduates and new material masters students with completing their projects in the workshop.
Finally I completed a wide variety of design and fabrication projects around TMDC, objects, products and furniture which were needed to improve the space. One project I enjoyed doing was the pizza oven tools. After completing the pizza oven building course I was asked to design and make the items needed in addition for the oven. The project was enjoyable because it took a little trial and error with different prototypes being tried and test, also combined several material types together with different fixing solutions. Additionally the idea that these tools will be used every Thursday for barbecue and pizza day, a day which brings the members of TMDC together to enjoy food and conversation.
“The range of designers and makers which use the area and are working alongside each other bring a positive, refreshing and thought provoking atmosphere to the place.”
The community of TMDC is very vast as the projects each person is working on. You were daily in contact with them as you knew the workshop by heart, what's the atmosphere like and how would you describe to someone what TMDC is about?
The one thing which really stands out at TMDC is the community. The range of designers and makers which use the area and are working alongside each other bring a positive, refreshing and thought provoking atmosphere to the place. We have faces which you are guaranteed to see everyday and others who come and go when they please. This mix of professions and skill sets allows exciting collaborations to be formed.
Any of the pieces you made you would have liked to take with you back to the UK? ;)
I would have loved to have been able to bring back some of the different material and process experiments I had completed, it is always great to be able to refer back to them in the future. One piece I did take with me was the metal frame I had been making for a bench. There were a few details that I didn’t have time to finish off like the wooden seat top for it so thought it would be good to carry on back in the UK. Once it is all finished I will sure to share the end results with you guys :)