For those not familiar with PearsonLloyd, a quick look at the work section on their website reveals an impressive portfolio of work that’s sure to attract even the least artistically-concerned individual. From furniture and consumer products to aviation, hospitality and healthcare, their designs reflect a thinking framework and in-depth research that comes uniquely only to Tom Lloyd and Luke Pearson. Their reputation in the product design community has attracted some of the biggest names in various industries such as Walter Knoll, Teknion, Lufthansa and Intercontinental Hotels.
The office furniture industry offered the design duo their first design commission. In the 21 years since it’s opening, they’ve carved a reputation for designing some of the most notable products in the contract furniture industry – Homer for Walter Knoll, Cobi for Steelcase, PARCS for Bene, Zones for Teknion and more recently Ruta for Andreu World. According to PearsonLloyd, “The studio works in an anthropological manner, analyzing the way people act in shared-office environments and uses this research to develop intelligent products that reflect the shifts in contemporary working life.”
The studio has always focused on identifying the shifting patterns in behaviour and lifestyle in the current generation, and have sought to understand these trends. Their designs are reflective of this, delivering aesthetic and functional values that fit well into the space and the purpose they’re designed for. The PARCS line is one example of this process, resulting in a furniture collection that inspired novel modes of working. Zones from Teknion, a multiple award-winning collection, is based on their idea of informal productivity – an alternative to the traditional office, providing users with the freedom to work in different settings. In line with contemporary trends, PearsonLloyd drew upon wood’s inherent warmth and a play of colour, pattern and texture as a counter to the cool, hard surfaces of technology.
When Spanish manufacturer Andreu World announced they’d be using NeoCon 2018 to showcase their latest collection, Ruta – the latest furniture range designed by PearsonLloyd, we saw an opportunity to meet up with Luke and Tom and chat on what they do best. Fortunately, that chance arrived much earlier, when we bumped into them at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel. Here’s a bit from our conversation.