Sebastian-Rivett Carnac: Industrial and Ceramic Designer

As our listeners know we are always fascinated to learn from other creatives and their unique industries. We were fortunate to speak to industrial and ceramic designer Sebastian Rivett-Carnac. 

Sebastian has pursued a career in creating beautifully designed and functional furniture and objects; from dinner tables that one can gather around with friends and family to bespoke drawers and stands for artists.  

One aspect of creativity that we are constantly intrigued by, is the moment that sparks creative energy in individuals. For Sebastian this moment came during his teenage years. His influences stem from partly being exposed to his parents woodworking shop where he learned and loved to make things and also from his years riding his BMX bike. He expresses his frustration with the lack of access to parts for his bike and when they were available, he could only find parts that were poorly made. Unlike most people who might just move on to a new brand, Sebastian instead felt the desire to problem solve. So, rather than accepting these flaws, creative intervention was needed. Through our conversation, we concluded  that it is through taking action and following the need to act that we solidify our creativity. This can exist in various ways for any creatives, whether it is the desire/need to paint, draw or build a biking ramp, it’s in that action that our creativity flourishes. 

When Sebastian began working within the industry of industrial design, the flaws he saw were in the “fast-fashion” design approach of furniture, where there is little to no regard for long-lasting and sustainable design. From that came his action; the creation of Sebastian Rivett-Carnac Pty Ltd. It’s through his own design company that he aims to rectify that approach to design, where materials are sustainable and made to last. 

We admire that Sebastian’s passion for design, sustainability and functionality translates into every detail of the objects that he makes even through his choice of materials. His material of choice is bamboo. Bamboo is one of the most fascinating sustainable materials as it does not require any pesticides or chemical fertilizers, no irrigation, and being a grass it generally grows faster than trees, and is also an incredibly versatile material from which one can produce furniture, flooring, window blinds, clothes, rugs, paper you name it [1].  As products often live longer than the people who designed them, Sebastian stresses the importance of integrity and believes designers need to consider their materials carefully and think about the impact and effect that products may have on the planet long after they are gone.

"Making it right, making it last and making it out of sustainable materials is the best we can do as designers"

 

 

Biography: 

Sebastian Rivett-Carnac is an industrial and ceramic designer and owner of Sebastian Rivett-Carnac Pty Ltd which specializes in contemporary eco-friendly furniture design.

Over the past 10 years, Sebastian has designed countless products for the sheet metal, furniture and product industry. He has also collaborated with many of South Africa’s talented artists in their realization of artworks and products alike. Notably Nelson Makamo, William Kentridge, Michele Mathison, Jaco Van Schalkwyk, Mandy Coppes Martin to name a few.

Nature and our role in it, is a topic that Sebastian is very passionate about. He strongly believes that as creators we have a moral responsibility to design well-intentioned and thought-out products. The choices we make with regards to lifespan, materials, finishes, manufacturing practices etc can have a profound effect on our environment. It is his aim to create products that are functional, durable, eco-friendly and aesthetically beautiful. After all, products should enrich your life for them to be meaningful.