In this month Community Highlight we had a chat with Alona, one of our dedicated Scout members who happens to be an interior architect and who has founded her own office furniture business a couple of years ago. If you like all things interior and design and/or are looking for new office design inspiration, just keep on reading…!

Hi Alona, can you share a little bit of your background and what brought you to this passion for interior and product design, and what brought you to focus mainly on office spaces and the workplace?

My background is only somewhat related to what I do now, I have trained first as a sculptor and then as an interior architect. I think this combo is a great one, as it makes me hyper aware of how an object occupies the space, what it brings to it and how it may affect the users or occupiers of the space.

My career in Sydney didn't start to plan (I really wanted to continue my work as interior architect) and I kind off fell in to a B2B commercial furniture business (great story in itself), where I have learned to navigate the complicated sector of project furniture supply. During that time I have also become drawn to amazingly driven people who work in this sector, have built fulfilling relationships with manufacturers - local and over seas, and identified market opportunity for well priced, but more resolved office furniture.

Four years ago I felt the time was right and I was ready to dive head in to setting up my own brand and studio.

Can you tell us more about the story behind Klaro Design and what makes it unique?

Klaro ethos is pretty simple - we design each piece of furniture in a wholistic way.

We aim to provide a wholesale market with authentic, environmentally and socially considered furniture and components, that should slot in existing specifying and procuring processes in a seamless way. We also look at end of life, refurbishment or recyclability of our items. It is of a paramount importance to us not to add to a growing crisis of a land fill waste created by our industry, while not taking ourselves too seriously at the same time. We do not linger and obsess over one design, we look to launch 5-6 new products every year to keep our clients inspired and excited to specify our new stuff.

What does a typical week at Klaro Deisgn look like?

I like this one. While I travel a lot, a week where I am put would probably give readers a better idea.

Monday normally is a day where I try and not book anything and to tidy up all loose ends from week before, it could be manufacturers requests for clarifications on design, or our lovely specifiers looking for a project specific rates - that i didn't get to week before.

On Tuesday I like to put my BDM hat on and follow up new client leads or book supplier presentations with designers and architects. This is followed by elevate class in Marrickville Scout, which helps me clear the head.

Wednesday and Thursday can be taken up by presentations, where either I make my way to client's own studio to run a presentation of our brand and products or my favorite - clients visit our Emore studio. Where we have some bubbly and have a super casual chat about our capacity and products off course. Klaro studio is a safe place where we share most controversial observations and ideas, which inspire new products or practices. I like my Wednesday night Cricut class to re-center and once again clear the head.

Friday is a good day to catch up on our marketing.

With all above said - no week ever went to plan, and my dreams of structured workflow are only just that - dreams!

What do you most love about your job, being a Designer?

I kind of see myself as a sort of translator - I take in a brief, that could be either clients requirements or market opportunity, then convert it to something that can be manufactured with resources we have, while tuning it up aesthetically and then I regurgitate out a product (sometimes several prototypes later), that may do well or may not. This process is what I love about my job, as well as working with like minded and passionate people.

What furniture piece creation from Klaro Design are you most proud of, why?

My personal favorite is the Summerday chair. I think its cute.

What goal do you hope to achieve for Klaro Design and/or any exciting things to look forward to this year?

This year my sole goal is to get most possible visibility on our new design of height adjustable desk - COLUMN h/a. My observation is that there was little advancements in that area (sit to stand desks) in terms of visual aesthetics - COLUMN h/a is quite unique in that sence. But I have to say - its form is dictated by function. The design is more pragmatic, rather than self indulgent stylistic statement. It will be featured in Saturday In Design on 7th of September at Billy Blue Surry Hills campus. Come say hello!

When you’re not working, what are you up to / how do you like to spend your free time?

If anyone asks me, and it is not because this interview is for you guys - I would still say reformer Pilates, followed closely by eating something yummy and taking a super sloooww Sunday with my partner at home.

Where do we find you & your products?

Klaro showroom / studio is based in Enmore, Shop 2, 263 Enmore road. Also our website is a good way to learn the scope of our range. Klaro Instagram keeps clients up to date where our stories are a sort of chronicles of all bonkers ideas, furniture geeky travels and behind the scenes manufacturing videos, sometimes venting happens there as well.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT - Meet Alona from Klaro Industrial Design