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RDInsights

RDInsights is a series of lively and informal interviews conducted by graphic designer Mike Dempsey RDI with fellow Royal Designers. These memorable conversations and inspiring stories span a wide range of design disciplines.

John Pawson

John Pawson has dedicated his career to creating minimalist spaces that eliminate the unnecessary. With his passionate attention to detail and materials, he has become known for his signature style, which has brought him global fame.

A black and white portrait of John Pawson, an older man with short hair, wearing a collared shirt and sweater. He is looking to the side against a textured stone wall background.

Geoffrey Kirk

Mike Dempsey RDI in conversation with the aeronautics designer engineer Geoffrey Kirk RDI. During his long career at the Rolls-Royce Airline Business, he rose to the position of Chief Design Engineer and worked on the designs of many of the company’s iconic jet engines.

Portrait of a man with short dark hair, wearing a suit and tie, smiling gently against a black background. The image is in black and white.

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Past interviews

John Pawson
Architectural designer John Pawson became an RDI 2005.
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Geoffrey Kirk
Engineering Designer Geoffrey Kirk became an RDI in 2001.
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John McConnell
Graphic Designer John McConnell became an RDI in 1987.
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Mike Dempsey
Graphic Designer Mike Dempsey became an RDI in 1994.
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Jenny Beaven
Costume designer Jenny Beavan became an RDI in 2022.
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Steven Appleby
Cartoonist Steven Appleby became an RDI in 2021.
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Marina Willer
Graphic Designer Marina Willer became an RDI in 2021.
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Charlie Paton
Design Engineer Charlie Paton became an RDI in 2012.
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Simon Esterson
Graphic designer Simon Esterson became an RDI in 2001.
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Seymour Chwast
Graphic designer Seymour Chwast became an Honorary RDI in 2005.
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Jenny Frean
Textile designer Jenny Frean became an RDI in 1998.
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Tom Lloyd
Product designer Tom Lloyd became an RDI in 2021.
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Marion Deuchars
Illustrator and author Marion Deuchars became an RDI in 2021.
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Paule Constable
Lighting designer Paule Constable became an RDI in 2019.
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Tom Gauld
Author and cartoonist Tom Gauld became an RDI in 2019.
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Ben Terrett
Ben Terrett is a Service designer and became an RDI in 2018.
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Morag Myerscough
Communication designer and founder of Studio Myerscough.
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Sir Christopher Frayling
British educationalist, writer, film-maker, researcher and advocator of the Arts. 
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Kim Colin RDI
Architect and product designer Kim Colin became an RDI in 2015.
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Derek Birdsall RDI
Graphic Designer Derek BirdSall became an RDI in 1993.
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Alison Brooks RDI
Architect Alison Brooks became an RDI in 2017.
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Tristram Carfrae RDI
Structural engineer Tristam Carfrae became an RDI in 2006.
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Patrick Woodroffe OBE RDI
Lighting designer Patrick Woodroffe became an RDI in 2013.
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Sandy Powell RDI
Costume designer Sandy Powell became an RDI in 2013.
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Ben Kelly RDI
Interior designer Ben Kelly became an RDI in 2007.
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Margaret Calvert RDI
Graphic designer Margaret Calvert became an RDI in 2011.
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Dan Pearson RDI
Landscape designer Dan Pearson became an RDI in 2012.
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Mark Major RDI
Lighting designer Mark Major became an RDI in 2012.
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Paul Williams RDI
Architect Paul Williams became an RDI in 2005.
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Sarah Wigglesworth RDI
Architect Sarah Wigglesworth became an RDI in 2012.
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Perry King RDI
Product designer Perry King became an RDI in 2000.
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Nick Park
Animator Nick Park became an RDI in 2006.
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Richard Hudson
Theatre designer Richard Hudson became an RDI in 1999.
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Michael Foreman
Illustrator Michael Foreman became an RDI in 1985.
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Alex McDowell
Production designer Alex McDowell became an RDI in 2006.
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Neisha Crosland
Textile designer Neisha Crosland became an RDI in 2006.
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Michael Wolff
Graphic designer Michael Wolff became an RDI in 2011.
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Stuart Craig
Film production designer Stuart Craig became an RDI in 2004.
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Paul Smith
Fashion designer Sir Paul Smith became an RDI in 1991.
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David Gentleman
Stamp designer David Gentleman became an RDI in 1970.
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Sir Kenneth Adam
Production designer Sir Kenneth Adam became an RDI in 2009.
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Mark Farrow
Graphic designer Mark Farrow became an RDI in 2009.
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Terence Woodgate
Furniture designer Terence Woodgate became an RDI in 2003.
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Georgina Von Etzdorf
Textile designer Georgina Von Etzdorf became an RDI in 1997.
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Nick Butler
Product Designer Nick Butler became an RDI in 1981.
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Sue Blane
Costume & stage designer Sue Blane became an RDI in 2005.
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Roger Law
Graphic design & caricature designer Roger Law became an RDI in 1999.
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Kyle Cooper
Film & TV Graphics designer Kyle Cooper became an HonRDI in 2001.
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Robin Levien
Ceramics and glass designer Robin Levien became an RDI in 1995.
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Timothy O’Brien
Theatre designer Timothy O’Brien became an RDI in 1991.
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Peter Brookes
Graphic designer, Peter Brookes became an RDI in 2002.
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Kenneth Grange
Industrial designer, Kenneth Grange became an RDI in 1969.
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Dinah Casson
Interior designer, Dinah Casson became an RDI in 2005.
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Margaret Howell
Fashion designer, Margaret Howell became an RDI in 2007.
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Ivan Chermayeff
Graphic designer, Ivan Chermayeff became an HonRDI in 1991.
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Chris Wise
Design engineer, Chris Wise became an RDI in 1998.
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Malcolm Garrett
New Media designer, Malcolm Garrett became an RDI in 2000.
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Pearce Marchbank
Graphic designer, Pearce Marchbank became an RDI in 2004.
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Betty Jackson
Fashion designer, Betty Jackson became an RDI in 1988.
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Anthony Powell
Costume designer, Anthony Powell became an RDI in 1999.
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Gerald Scarfe
Cartoonist, Gerald Scarfe became an RDI in 1989.
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Arnold Schwartzman
Documentary filmmaker, Arnold Schwartzman became an RDI in 2006.
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Sara Fanelli (HonRDI)
Illustrator, Sara Fanelli became an HonRDI in 2006.
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Thomas Heatherwick
3D Designer, Thomas Heatherwick became an RDI in 2004.
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