Jake Turkington (He/They)
Born in Northern Ireland, Jake worked 3 years in industry before studying Interior Design at the Glasgow School of Art. Now based in Belfast, Jake’s practice consists of commission furniture, and the sourcing of objects. Taking a touted and buoyant approach to design philosophy; His practice promotes the experience of space. Viewing Interior design as a bridge between the practices of architecture and the science of human experience. Often considering sustainability and permanence of materiality in his design process, Jake’s constructive approach recognises the impact our environment can have upon happiness, health and wellbeing.
Mid Ulster Pride
For two Years Mid Ulster Pride (MUP) have been working towards removing the isolation felt by the rural LGBTQI+ community of Ulster; tackling outdated attitudes towards LGBTQI+ in the education system and working with local councils to create campaigns against homophobic street harassment. In September 2020 MUP hosted Irelands first ever rural pride parade with coherence to the government guidelines at the time. After their first parade I was invited to joined MUP’s committee in November 2020.
Since then I have been working on projects such as introducing queer literature in to public libraries, working with local government to introduce LGBTQI+ education into schools. film nights, casual graphic content for the social media pages and posters for queer events.
Project Links
LGBTQ+ Safe Space Sticker 2021
Tender Objects
Tender Objects is an accessible and elemental project with pure intention, providing simple directions to create functional and pleasing furniture. Reflecting on 120 years of DIY design history, I’ve created an edited manual distilling modernist design into key elements. I also explore the transition from commercial modernism to DIY techniques, documenting the products that satisfy our basic needs whilst appealing to our contemporary tastes and attitudes towards renewable design.
The manual is an advocate for the democratisation of design, and in turn its transformative power. I have created open source instructions for building a range of furniture for interior and exterior environments, breaking down high-design items and making them accessible for the layperson. The aim is in the creation of practical objects that exhibit humble beauty at an extremely affordable price point. I want to emulate mass production, but at the hands of the masses rather than machine.