Olivia Lee

Olivia Lee

Books of Life, 2017

Books of Life is a series of leather- bound accessories that hold the secret to an examined life. The Olivia Lee for Bynd Artisan designer collaboration applies traditional leather bookbinding techniques in unexpected ways, resulting in book-like objects with a hidden function and poetic purpose.

The collection is recognition that books are more than mere stationery – they are symbolic objects. Books are an extension of our interests, aspirations and desires. They contain our stories, ideas, secrets and beliefs.

The Book of Knowledge is a table mirror and a reminder that to look into our own reflection is to seek self-discovery.

The Book of Wisdom is an understated magnifying glass for reading small print and for examining the finer details in life.

The Book of Dreams is a coin bank for accumulating the hope that comes with fulfilling a long-held fantasy.
The Book of Adventure is a clutch bag and a vessel for containing all the possibilities a day about town can bring.

The Book of Gratitude is a letter writing set that revives the tradition of sending our thanks.

The Book of Secrets is a jewellery box for containing both precious items and sentiment.

About Olivia Lee

OLIVIA LEE is a multidisciplinary studio grounded by an industrial design approach. The practice pivots from product to spatial design, research insights to ideation with the goal of creating unique experiences. The studio focuses on uncovering new rituals and behaviours, navigating the tension between tradition and the future, and bringing brands into unexplored territories through design and narrative.

OLIVIA LEE studio has produced work for a variety of international partners such as AkzoNobel, The Balvenie, Samsung, Mathmos, Bank of Singapore, the British Council and Industry+. It has worked on briefs as complex as inter-generational smart homes for public housing; as whimsical as an ice-cream parlour installation for a natural stone company; and as functional as a compact indoor air purifier for the Asian market.

A graduate of Central Saint Martins BA (Hons) Product Design, principal designer Olivia Lee combines her experiences in London with her Singaporean roots to establish a culturally nuanced design practice in the heart of South East Asia.

OLIVIA LEE’s work has been presented at the Triennale di Milano, Museum fur Kommunikation Berlin, Maison et Object Observatoire de la Maison, Daikanyama T-Site, Mint Shop and featured in Wallpaper*, Icon, Dezeen, Axis, Intramuros and Disegno. In 2017, Dezeen hailed Olivia as one of the top 8 emerging designers from the international Salone Satellite fair.