HOUSE OF DIGBY, founded in 2021 by Tessa Bain and Andrew Lane, is a furniture procurement company that offers a specifier-first approach. With over 30 years of experience, their Toronto-based team provides expert product recommendations for various applications. They bridge the gap between manufacturers and trade, ensuring a seamless transition from enquiry to installation. Their network of industry professionals from different sectors seeks elevated offerings with a global perspective. Learn more about Tessa and Andrew and their process in today’s Maker Monday.
With over two decades of experience in digital innovation consulting for major international companies, Andrew and Tessa bring a wealth of expertise to House of Digby and their clients.
Andrew Joseph: What is the last book you read?
Andrew Lane: I always gravitate to a business or social sciences read but I do wind up with a good biography or memoir from time to time. I just finished Ride of a Lifetime, Disney CEO Bob Eiger’s memoir he wrote before he took his job back… so, not positive it’s still a memoir, but a good read nonetheless.
Tess Bain: When I read, I look to unwind and escape so you’ll likely find me with something light. Most recently I just dove into Prince Harry’s controversial memoir, Spare.
AJ: What is something you hope to see trending in design in the future?
TB: I’ve long been an observer that design loves to follow fashion and we’ve seen a lot of experimentation in the fashion industry when it comes to tech and innovation in the last 18 months. I don’t see our industry precisely copying the fashion industry’s approach, particularly when it comes to creating digital wearables and NFTs, but I do see a trend coming where design begins to much more obviously embrace the tech for things like the authentication of goods (NFT), and the extension of sales and marketing tools (metaverse).
AL: Building on what Tess said, we’re speaking to so many designers now who are interested in the fluidity between digital-physical spaces and how these intersections can enhance function and utility for users. I think the trend that will come out of this, is we’ll stop seeing design feel isolated to physical or digital spaces and begin to see a much more broad definition of design systems that considers a more holistic idea of ‘spaces’.
Digby offers comprehensive solutions to safeguard intellectual property on the blockchain and drive digital innovation for design companies.
AJ: What would you like to be remembered for?
TB: I’ve always been driven to be remembered for the opportunities that I’m able to give to others through what I’m able to create. We’re always talking about bringing joy to the specifier experience and I think that would be a great legacy as well.
AL: Tess will tell you I’m a ‘people pleaser’ so when it comes to legacy, I hope to harness that to help people reach outside their comfort zones while still feeling confident that they’re remaining connected to their true business (or personal) purpose.
AJ: What would your dream project or dream client be right now?
AL: A lot of what we’re seeing in the industry is early experimentation with technology. Pilots. Nibbling around the edges. It’ll be a dream come true for us when we’ve seen enough of the utility of this space proven that a partner will want to dive in head first and create something that has the potential to start to define the future and point the way to the next evolution in design.
Recently featured at NeoCon 2022 and esteemed events like Milan Design Week’s ALCOVA, Andrew and Tessa provide insider insights on the digital landscape’s impact on the design industry.
AJ: How would you define your work in three words?
TB: I hope the work that we deliver and by extension, the experiences we create for people, will be seen as “timeless, intuitive, and aspirational”.
AL: Thinking more about how we work, I would say we hope to be collaborative, forward-thinking, and just a bit fun.
TB: Ok, that is way more than 3 words, he can’t help himself!
AJ: What do you find yourself daydreaming about most these days?
AL: Even in my daydreams I’m a bit of a nerd so I’m usually daydreaming about what accessible technologies might look like that reduce barriers to entry and increase the value for users.
TB: Let’s be honest, I’m daydreaming about having a successful year, traveling to design shows like Salone del Mobile in Milan and 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen, then rewarding ourselves with a trip to the Mediterranean – when given the opportunity I’ll always look to be surrounded by beauty and inspiration, especially in nature.
AL: Ok that one’s not bad. That too 🙂
About the Makers | House of Digby was born out of a passion to discover new ways to bring authentic and iconic brands and design to market in both the physical and digital worlds, with a focus in the worlds of luxury, design and architecture.
This combination empowers partners to develop new solutions to bring physical products to market in the ‘built’ world, while navigating the exciting opportunities provided by the expanding worlds of metaverse, blockchain technology, artificial intelligence and beyond…
Co-founders, Tessa Bain and Andrew Lane, have built Digby on a foundation of deep knowledge of the luxury design industry, coupled with over two decades of experience in digital and innovation consulting and implementation for major international companies.
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