Designers

Kevin Fox

Kevin is the Founder & Designer of LAT_56, an international luxury luggage brand. Kevin launched LAT_56 in Las Vegas in 2010 to industry acclaim and six months later at a champagne launch event in Selfridges, Oxford Street, London. As the Managing Director and the designer for the international brand, he oversees all aspects of the company in the UK, Europe, North America and Asia.

Kevin Gauld

Kevin left school at the age of 16 to launch his career as an apprentice with a local furniture maker. He continued to expand his skills and techniques for nine years before opening his own business and establishing himself as The Orkney Furniture Maker in 2007. His work brings together his passion for local traditional techniques and materials, combining them with innovation and design to make unique pieces.

Desmond Bernie

After experience with small and large-scale architecture practices, Desmond set up Icecream Architecture in 2009. He has managed community focused projects that span design, research, regeneration, enterprise, public service innovation and digital engagement. Desmond believes in people; working to build community ownership and empowerment throughout a design process.

Sarah Diver Lang

Sarah Diver Lang is part of the Icecream Architecture team and graduated from Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen, in 2010 specialising in printmaking. She has worked as a freelance designer and teacher as well as continuing with her own art work. As a graphic designer, she has an interest in using design to support the creative industries, working with art organisations and individuals across Scotland.

Niela Nell Kalra

Niela Kalra is a textile and fashion designer based in Shetland. Brought up in Ontario, Canada, she studied law in Scotland where she practiced for almost 20 years. She finally gave in to an overwhelming draw towards textiles and obtained a degree in textile design from UHI Shetland. Niela has since built up a successful business designing the alternative Shetland knitwear under her brand Nielanell.

Amy Gear

Amy is a designer and artist based in Shetland. She trained at the Royal College of Art in London, graduating with an MA in printmaking in 2015. Often taking a collaborative approach, inspired by themes of landscape and community, she has created work together with care home residents and school children. Her work uses many different media, from film to print, and has been on show in galleries across Scotland and in London. Currently she is also a visiting lecturer at Shetland college.

Will Mitchell, Design Director 4c Design Ltd

Having spent the last 20 years as a product design consultant working with inventors, small and medium sized companies as well as large corporations, Will has witnessed several approaches to innovation and has been instrumental in bringing thousands of products to market. In 2013 4c Design was awarded the contract to design and build the Queens Baton for the 20th Commonwealth Games, which was a significant milestone in the firm’s development.

Leanne Fischler

Originally from the Orkney Islands, Leanne Fischler holds a degree in Product Design from The University of Dundee. She has worked with organisations such BBC Bitesize, MAKLab in Glasgow and Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee. By getting people designing, making and repairing, as opposed to consuming and contributing towards the waste, Leanne aims to create a more sustainable world.

Naomi McIntosh

Naomi studied Architecture at the Bartlett School of Architecture University College London before gaining a Masters Degree in Design from Central Saint Martins in London. In her work, Naomi combines 3D digital and hand processes. Surfaces are manipulated and 2D surfaces are transformed into 3D objects; from jewellery to sculptural installations. Her designs explore the relationship between the body and its environment.

The Scottish Design Relay is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and the Mathew Trust.