Update 022.
Carlin Collection.
Since last month’s update, we’ve welcomed 55 new readers — bringing us to over 180 new subscribers since January! I’m not sure how you stumbled across my little corner of the internet, but I hope it’s bringing you value. When I started this newsletter, it was a way to hold myself accountable. Balancing a full-time role as a design educator, raising a young family, growing a startup, and running a small product company — staying focused was tough. I had no idea that nearly 2 years later, I’d still be sending out monthly updates!
This journey has given me an incredible amount of focus, helping me refine countless product ideas and share them with the world for feedback. Thank you for being part of it! And stay tuned for update 024 — we’ll be celebrating 2 years in style with a few exciting giveaways 🎉
Months in the Making: The Carlin Collection sets sail!
Three months ago, this project was just a bold idea — a blend of passion, storytelling, and a deep dive into Aberdeen’s shipbuilding heritage. Fast forward to today, and I’m thrilled to unveil The Carlin Collection, a celebration of craftsmanship and local industry that’s now proudly on display at Aberdeen Art Gallery.
Ready to dive into the journey and see how it all came together? read on! ⛵️
Big Decisions Ahead—And I Need Your Help!
Next month marks my final update before we hit the 2-year milestone, and I’m switching things up!
In my first year, I launched one product concept every month—ideas that had been brewing in my head for months, sometimes even years. It was an energising time.
Fast forward to now and 8 of those 12 products are now out in the world! But there are still 4 that are so close to the finish line, and I need your input.
Which one should I bring back and fine tune? 🏆
I want your thoughts, your instincts - your gut reactions. Next month, I’ll focus on the one you choose—with the goal of finally launching it!
Vote now and let’s make this happen together. 💡✨
My Products, My philosophy
As a designer that was taught to reduce friction, I am now passionate about adding friction back into our lives. Too often we find ourselves in autopilot, trying to complete the never ending to do list we really don’t stand a chance of ever getting to the bottom of.
By focussing on producing beautifully crafted products that don’t compromise on quality and prioritise heightening everyday rituals, I aim to encourage more opportunities for disconnect.
I’m actively exploring ways to digitally detox and would love to hear what successes you have had - let me know in the comments and let’s start the conversation.
As a thank you, you can use this discount code at checkout (available site wide): SubstackCrew (20% off).
Last months most clicked link: Humane Pin…Dead
My top 5 pieces of content I have found helpful/inspiring:
1.
Brief's are dying: Morama. I have a huge amount of respect for Morama and their value driven approach. This was a really interesting take on how client relationships are changing and how clients are feeling more empowered as a result of AI tools.
2.
Nothing Competition. Design competitions are a great way to develop exposure as an emerging designer. What better competition to take part in than Nothing’s community competition, focussing on CMF that will result in the community edition phone (3a). An incredible UK based company disrupting the smartphone market.
3.
Is Design Dead?. This article has been doing the rounds in design communities this month as designers come to terms with the ever advancing pace of AI development. Insights from industry leaders. Is the design industry losing its lustre?
4.
Severence and Dieter Rams. Like everyone else, I have been drawn in by Severence and its dystopian world. Unlike everyone else… I have been admiring a lot of the design icons used to style the interiors - Dieter Rams pops up everywhere, be it his Vitsoe 620 chair or the iconic Braun wall unit stereo system. The combination of mid century design with a brutalist visual language was captivating.
5.
Bonus D’avella.I’ve share Matt’s videos before - he has some incredible videos testing the water on some hyped up habits that are worth watching. Since he took a break, his videos have felt more authentic than ever and this bonus channel feels a little less polished which in a world full of polish, feels nice.
The Big Reveal: Introducing the Carlin Collection
For the last few months I have been sharing behind the scenes access to a project that has been front and centre for me. If you missed the updates, catch up here: update 020 , update 021.
It’s rare as a designer that you get to work on projects that you are genuinely passionate about - projects that almost perfectly align your interests and enable growth. I have had the privilege over the last 3 months of designing a range of furniture inspired by Aberdeen’s remarkable shipbuilding heritage while collaborating with local industries to bring it to life.
Storytelling is at the heart of my design process, and video has become my go-to medium for capturing that narrative. I pour a ridiculous amount of time into creating videos that convey the journey and value behind my work. Curious to see this project unfold? Watch the video below and let me know your thoughts!
DELIVER
In previous updates, we explored the “why” — this month, it’s all about the Delivery. I’m excited to finally introduce The Carlin Collection — a celebration of craftsmanship, local industry, and Aberdeen’s deep-rooted maritime legacy. Seeing this project come to life has been a labour of love (and, if I’m honest, sheer exhaustion). I’m incredibly proud of what this project has achieved, and I’m excited to see how the spirit of the Thermopylae continues to inspire future makers.
The collection is now on display at Aberdeen Art Gallery for the next few weeks. If you’re local, make sure to stop by and witness the incredible work of all the talented makers who were part of this program.
Next Steps
After months of development, countless prototypes and fine-tuning alongside industry partners, the production prototype has finally landed — and it’s a beauty (even if I do say so myself!)! The original goal was to use this as a springboard to produce a small batch of welcome seating for a local museum or gallery.
But as I’m sure you can imagine, funding in the public sector is incredibly tight right now. So, I’m shifting gears — looking at ways to further optimise the design for economies of scale and exploring the possibility of licensing agreements to get this into production.
Here’s the thing… this is uncharted territory for me. I know it’s a long shot, but if this is a world you’re familiar with and have any advice (or know someone who does), I’d love to hear from you. Drop me a DM — I’m all ears!
What a Journey!
I hope you’ve enjoyed following along — three months ago, I had big aspirations for this project but no idea how it would turn out. It’s been a wild ride, and I’d love to hear your thoughts now that we’ve reached the finish line.
Let me know what you think!
See you next month! 🚀