Working Tile
by Max Lamb
Inspired by historic Japanese 3D mosaic tiles, British designer Max Lamb conceived Working Tiles: A set of bold, modular, three-dimensional tiles, with which he created a series of large tile objects - furnitures and interior accessories. Meant to inspire and show a different persecutive on ceramic tiles, the objects were developed for and presented at the launch of the Tajimi Custom Tiles brand. The objects are available in Japan from TCT and overseas from Salon 94, NYC.
The tiles themselves can be ordered from this website. They are produced using the traditional method of pressure moulding, which is also used in the production of tableware and allows highly precise three-dimensional shapes. The typical clays, with their characteristic earthy qualities, and special glazes with subtle, ambiguous colours harken back to classic Japanese tiles.
Max Lamb
Designer | United Kingdom
A modern-day craftsperson, Max Lamb is a furniture designer with a design sensibility informed by extensive knowledge of manufacturing techniques, a respect for materials, and hands-on skills as a maker. A native of Cornwall, Max has been tinkering with objects and engaging with physical landscapes since he was a child. After earning a degree in Three-Dimensional Design from Northumbria University in 2003, he went on to obtain a master’s degree in Product Design from the Royal College of Art. By 2008**,** he had started his own practice.
Max explores both traditional and unconventional materials and processes, blending experimentation and reasoning to create furniture and products that are both honest and accessible. His work has earned him the Hettich International Design Award (2004) and the Peter Walker Award for Innovation in Furniture Design (2003), as well as collaborations with companies such as Deadgood and Sight Unseen.
Max’s designs are exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide, including the Design Museum and Gallery FUMI in London, Johnson Trading Gallery in New York, the Wolfsonian Museum in Miami, and Broached Commissions in Melbourne, Australia.
Max teaches in the Design Products programme at the Royal College of Art and runs regular design workshops for companies and institutions around the world.