Jordan Fleming
Melbourne-based designer and artist Jordan Fleming uses humanistic reference points such as humour to elevate her designs beyond their programmatic function.
Words: Holly Terry I Photography: Victoria Zchommler, Mitch Fong, Charlie White & Jess Brohier
‘Being included in the Vogue Living Top 50 was an absolute shock and honor. I feel lucky to work with incredible people each year displaying work in different exhibitions at Melbourne Design Week – a serious design highlight of the year!’ says Jordan Fleming. Photo: Mitch Fong
Bright Things by Jordan Fleming. Photo: Victoria Zchommler. Styling: Nat Turnball
‘As a kid, I was encouraged to pick up tree growths, patterned leaves, lichen formations, seeds etc. I continue to do this in an urban setting, looking closely at the mundane infrastructure, everything from a tile junction to electrical box or broken-down pipe often becoming the keystone of an idea.’ Photo: Charlie White
‘Overall, both professions have informed me more of various industries, techniques and processes that exist, opening the possibilities of what I create.’ Photo: Jess Brohier
One of Jordan Fleming’s quirky deigns: Bright Things. Photo: Victoria Zchommler. Styling: Nat Turnball
Working with metal, plaster, pigment and timber to create experimental sculpture and furniture, artist and designer Jordan Fleming uses wonky asymmetry and playful palettes to personify her designs.
‘I feel certain materials and the way they are used can add humanistic and emotional (humour for example) reference points to the pieces, they are elevated beyond their programmatic function,’ says Jordan. ‘After all, we collect and live with these objects around us, they are our creativity, personified.’
Jordan works delicately balance a kind of experimental attitude with a deep knowing. Her designs sit confidently in their imperfection and rebellious form, wonky and almost otherworldly.
For the maker, her interest lies in exploring ways in which material and shape can become life like, while focusing on removing the static element of objects and personifying them is a necessary in her practice.
‘As we aren’t perfect, I don't think objects or furniture need to be either. Embracing any mistake into a piece makes me smile, adding a unique record of the human touch.’
Her influences are less aesthetically focused and more about her innate drive to create and experiment. For Fleming, her process has been heavily influenced by Formafantasma and architect Anne Holtrop.
‘Their practices have a research heavy and investigative foundation, letting the journey of material exploration drive the outcome of the product,’ says Jordan.
She continues, mentioning her community and the people she has met along the way, paying homage to the part they have played in her career development, allowing her to dip her toes in various practices while serving as a supportive network with a strong community spirit.
Jordan Fleming’s designs have almost creature-like personalities. Photo: Mitch Fong
Pastel, playful colours are found in Jordan Fleming’s work. Photo: Jess Brohier
“The macro scale of the environment surrounding us has always been great source of inspiration to my way of seeing and thinking.”
One of Jordan Fleming’s beautifully imperfect designs. Photo: Charlie White
Each design takes about 1-2 weeks to cure, depending on the season. Photo: Charlie White
For the most part, Jordan’s working days vary, spent juggling her two different professions. From 9 til’ 5, she works as an interior designer, while at other times, she is working in the studio on her own practice.
Jordan reflects on her role as an interior designer and its steadfast impact on her designs; ‘I can’t help but start to imagine the spaces they will and won’t work in, editing and tailoring ideas to fit a certain faux brief,’ she says.
The creative is constantly writing to-do lists, scrambling thoughts and tasks in her notebook. ‘Most of the creative time is slipped into the evenings in-between mouthfuls of food, or whilst running (I strangely find that whilst running, I can visual and build upon ideas) – it’s not the most glamours lifestyle, but it works!’
Jordan’s career seems to be moving from strength to strength after being invited for consecutive years to display at Melbourne Design week (2020, 2021 and 2022) and having been announced in the 2022 Vogue Living Top 50. To come for the emerging designer, Jordan will be collaborating with another exciting designer from a more curatorial realm for an experimental exhibition at Melbourne Design Fair.