A postgraduate of the Royal College of Art where she had studied furniture design, Nazanin Kamali (1966) established Non Specific Creativity in the early 1990s; a multi-disciplined design collective that worked on a diverse variety of design projects ranging from restaurant design to art installations.
She later joined retail design company Aero as the creative director before setting up Newman + Kamali with Paul Newman in 2000 (which subsequently became iNK), designing and supplying retailers such as the Conran Shop, Heals, Crate & Barrel, SCP and John Lewis.
Nazanin Kamali's work included new product development and design, the refurbishment of Aero’s London stores and the exhibition design for the international design exhibitions Cologne, Frankfurt, New York and 100% Design London.
Whilst at Aero she also managed the entire merchandising operation of the business from the sourcing and buying-in of product right through to in store display and packaging. In 2000 she began a new venture, setting up Newman + Kamali in collaboration with Paul Newman and subsequently INK (Interior Newman and Kamali).
Since Nazanin Kamali began working with Case in 2005, she has produced a beautifully simplistic range of products including Omid and Loop. As a founding designer for Case Furniture her contemporary designs reflected the attention to precision detail found in Japanese arts, while her bespoke craft commissions are characterised by high levels of craftsmanship and intricate forms.
Awards
1996 - Design Plus Award for Paper Lights
1997 - Design Plus Award for Aero bedroom
1999 - Shortlisted FX Award (British American Racing)
1999 - Good Design Award for Dish Rack
2007 - Shortlisted Elle Decoration Award Best Bedroom Product for Loop Bed
2008 - Grand Design Award Best Lighting Product for Omid
2009 - Shortlisted Restaurant & Bar Design Award Best Seating Product for Oki-Nami Chair
Timeline
1966 - Born in Iran
1989 - Studied MA in furniture design at Royal College of Art
1991 - Graduated from Royal College of Art
1995 - Joined Aero to manage the merchandising and buying operation
2000 - Set up Newman + Kamali and subsequently INK (Interior Newman and Kamali)
2005 - Became founding designer for Case
Fact Sheet
Full name - Nazanin Kamali
Born - 1966, Iran
Nationality - British
Education - Eastbourne College of Art
Alma mater - Royal College of Art
Occupation - Product Designer
Employer - Habitat, Harvey Nichols, Karen Millen, Global Village and Aero
Known for - Oki-Nami restaurant design
"My designs reflect the attention to precision detail and intricate repetitive forms found in Japanese arts."