It is not often that we get the opportunity to enter the studios of design icons, be it virtually even. Amidst her busy schedule, we managed to grab some time with the incredibly talented, humanistic, social and environmentally conscious Suzanne Tick, who has ‘woven’ her way into the interiors and hearts of many.
“Art and design is a core component of who I am, and is a part of my DNA. I grew up in a family of artists (my mother and grandmother were both artists), so I’ve always had that element to my personality. My mother was a graphic and set designer. She even went to Cranbrook for a summer and ended up working a brief stint in furniture design. Her mother was a portrait painter and started her career working with pastels on portrait photography. She used to colour these beautiful pastel black and white portraits, and eventually led to painting faces. What’s even more amazing is that she was largely self-taught! She became quite well known in the small community I grew up in in the midwest. They were important influences in my life early on.
My father owned a junkyard and was a third generation scrap metal dealer. In a way, I got introduced to the concept of recycling through him. People used to frequently bring their metal trash – things like steel plates and copper pipes – to my father’s company for recycling. On the weekends, he would take my brother and me as well, and we’d follow him around to observe what he did. He always allowed the local artists to come to the junkyard and pick out what they wanted to use in their sculpture, and even let them use the warehouse for work.
So art and creativity have always been a part of who I am and I’ve never viewed myself in any other way. In fact, my first idea struck me in kindergarten! We were doing a winter scene and everybody was cutting out the snowman. While the other kids were making theirs in simple flat shapes, I made mine in 3D! The teacher was astonished, and I remember being very protective of my work as well. So yeah, I’ve been this way for as long as I can remember.
Her journey thus far and how it all began
“Art and design is a core component of who I am, and is a part of my DNA. I grew up in a family of artists (my mother and grandmother were both artists), so I’ve always had that element to my personality. My mother was a graphic and set designer. She even went to Cranbrook for a summer and ended up working a brief stint in furniture design. Her mother was a portrait painter and started her career working with pastels on portrait photography. She used to colour these beautiful pastel black and white portraits and eventually which eventually led to painting faces. What’s even more amazing is that she was largely self-taught! She became quite well known in the small community I grew up in in the midwest. They were important influences in my life early on.
My father owned a junkyard and was a third generation scrap metal dealer. In a way, I got introduced to the concept of recycling through him. People used to frequently bring their metal trash – things like steel plates and copper pipes – to my father’s company for recycling. On the weekends, he would take my sister and me as well, and we’d follow him around to observe what he did. He always allowed the local artists to come to the junkyard and pick out what they wanted to use in their sculpture, and even let them use the warehouse for work.
So art and creativity have always been a part of who I am and I’ve never viewed myself in any other way. In fact, my first idea struck me in kindergarten! We were doing a winter scene and everybody was cutting out the snowman. While the other kids were making theirs in simple flat shapes, I made mine in 3D! The teacher was astonished, and I remember being very protective of my work as well. So yeah, I’ve been this way for as long as I can remember.
Why textile design though? It’s quite a niche focus within the larger design umbrella
I always knew I wanted to pursue a creative career, but textiles is something I gradually moved into. Way back when I was deciding on universities for undergrad, I had settled on the University of Iowa. In freshman year, I decided to take a weaving class to weave the textures I wanted to etch on copper for my print making class. In my weaving class, I stood out from others as I was able to clearly envision the end results in my mind before even starting to weave, and completed weavings before the rest of the group could even figure out what they wanted to do.
Her process and sources of inspiration
We (the team) do about four to six charrettes a year where we discuss ideas and solutions. We engage in an open discussion about what and how we’re going to design our next concept. We encourage collaboration and perspectives from everyone.
I always look at the world of art for inspiration and the essence of it among poetry and reading. I’m always looking to understand what is resonating with people in the world, and through what medium. For example, what is feeding society today? If you look at the migration of animals and humans, they both follow certain patterns. I try to involve that in our designs to reflect what is vibrating with society in the current times.
The birth of Luum Textiles
I’m the creative director at Luum Textiles and it’s been my primary focus lately. I spoke to David Feldberg of Teknion sometime back, asking if they would be open to a global textile line. He was thrilled about it. And that was just the start of many important discussions.
I believe we should be responsible shepherds of this Earth. Products from Luum Textiles are based on a few key pillars – purpose, relevance and sustainability, with the last being very important to everyone involved with the brand. We use sustainable, recycled, or upcycled products and sources as well. Lately, we’ve been working on a biodegradable fibre. It’s so interesting how these fibres take shape.
The product development team at Luum Textiles values quality over quantity in our product releases. Products have to have reason and impact. It should be an extension and tangible form of a coherent thought process. There’s storytelling, a reason behind doing things, from a fiber to a finished product.
The next exciting project
I’m thrilled about what I’m working on with Skyline Design. Glass is an afterthought for privacy and safety. Manufacturers apply vinyl on the glass that is not sustainable. Skyline will be introducing a PVC-free polyester film this year called Obscura, using nature’s horizon line as our inspiration. I’m excited about how it’s going to turn out!
Some pearls of wisdom for budding designers
Do what you love and follow that charm wherever it takes. Don’t listen to criticism in your head. When things come easily to you, those are usually the right things to pursue.
The catalyst for me appeared when my parents asked me what I was going to do with my career. As I was thinking about it, I noticed this interiors magazine, one of many my mother used to subscribe to. I flipped through them and found some textile company ads, and selected the ones that resonated with my style, then reached out to them.
Another piece of advice for students is to be open about your shared connection, similarities, and talent. Have an honest conversation with the people you know. I’ll never forget the day Sheila Hicks called me, (I actually thought it was a prank!). She’s so direct and lovely. She was working on a show in Denver, and saw my work somewhere. She pushed me, saying “Why aren’t you showing your work more? As weavers, we must stick together!”. She really encouraged me to get out there and promote myself.
Her passion for sustainability
I learned that from my father. He introduced me to recycling and showed me the importance of giving back. He taught me to be mindful and proactive about how much we consume and how much we can give back. Waste not, Want not.
When my father had only three to six months to live, I brought him to NYC. I decided to make something for him from metal. So I started cutting up used dry cleaning metal hangers and created a little piece for him. He loved it and so I made a few more as gifts for some friends in the industry. This led to a commission for that piece on a much larger scale using about 5000 dry cleaning hangers. It took months of collecting and a collaboration with the designers and contractors to reach that number!
Her next career
I’ve had a fortunate life in that I’ve been able to pursue what I love. That being said, I’ve just started my next career. I used to be filled with stress, anxiety and fear. Then I started Vedic meditation a while back to help me with it, and it’s changed me for the better. The first three months of 2020, I did intensive training in India to become a Vedic Meditation teacher. I’m expanding my knowledge and actually working with someone in India to become a teacher. They say even if one percent of the world meditated, it would be a drastically different place. A much more peaceful one.
So, what makes her ‘tick’?
I feel very compelled to discover and create equity among people. Growing up with a father who ran a junkyard and employed people who didn’t have much, I’m driven to do the same. We’re all made of the same flesh and blood. It’s an important part of who we are.
