Anthony and Richard Joseph are the twin brothers behind contemporary kitchenware brand Joseph Joseph. Continuously winning awards and accolades, the brand is known for combining unique and colourful designs with high quality materials to produce a functional product which not only looks great, but actually makes life easier.

After studying product design at University, Antony studied design at Central St Martins and Richard studied for a master’s degree in design and manufacturing at Cambridge, the brothers embarked on careers in the design industry before combining their knowledge and experience to launch the brand in 2003 with just a handful of products.

12 years on and many products later, Joseph Joseph is now sold throughout the world, and is one of the fastest growing companies in the housewares market. StyleNest caught up with Anthony and Richard to find out more about their design process, inspirations, and to find out if they are as good in the kitchen as their products are.

Your business started with just a humble chopping board. How did you decide to go into kitchenware, and how did the brand develop to be what it is today?

Our grandfather founded the family glassmaking business which our father then took over and they made everything from industrial glass to chopping boards. A few years after graduation, our father asked us to re-design the range of glass chopping boards that the company produced as sales were slow and he thought that it needed a new lease of life.

Your grandfather founded a glass making business in Birmingham, which was later taken over by your father. Do you think this had an influence on your careers? Is design and manufacturing something you always wanted to do?

Design and manufacturing runs in our blood, so I think we would always have ended up doing something creative. Our grandfather owned a glass factory that our father then took over and as well as this our mother is an architect and all of our siblings have careers in design so it’s definitely a family trait.

Britain has a great history of design, invention, and crafts. Are there any crafts or industries, such as the glassmaking industry that your father and grandfather worked in, that you would like to see revived in Britain?

All of them! The United Kingdom is really seeing a resurgence in these amazing artisan industries and all of these should be encouraged no matter how small or specialist.

Anthony you worked as a freelance product designer before Joseph Joseph. Was starting your own business something you always thought about doing, or has it taken you by surprise?

I think that with the family history of working together, it was always a possibility that we would end up doing something together. Freelancing is great, but working towards something that you have built from scratch is one of the most satisfying things that you can do.

What advice would you give to any budding entrepreneurs out there, or those wanting to break into the design industry?

Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and talk to the people that make the decisions, in any industry. For us, when we first started it was all about calling the homeware buyers for the big department stores to see if they would meet with us. Also listen to advice from people in these industries when they give it, we learned huge amounts from one particular buyer that helped us to re-think our product line.

Your products are known for their innovative design and their distinct use of colour. How do you get your ideas, where does your inspiration come from?

Usually we look around and try to spot problems that need solving. Many of our best ideas have started with the thought “Wouldn’t it be better if…?” Otherwise, we look to larger trends that are happening in the world of kitchenware and start innovating in those areas.

Do you ever find it difficult to find inspiration? If so how do you get past the ´design-block´?

We work with a great team of creative people so in terms of inspiration, there are always ideas flowing but if you do struggle with a concept, the best thing is to leave the office, take a walk and just let inspiration find you.

Which other designers do you admire? Or are there any other products out there that you think, I wish I´d designed that!

James Dyson is definitely the one that stands out. He has turned innovation into a very successful business but without compromising on design and quality. In terms of product, anything by Apple, the sleekness of the design and the instantly recognisable aesthetic is something of beauty.

If you hadn´t gone into kitchenware, what other products would you like to have designed?

It’s difficult to pinpoint one specific area, we love to solve problems, so it could have been for any industry really. The kitchen is a great space to design for as a little innovation goes a long way, but that isn’t to say that we won’t look at different categories in future.

Do you have a favourite product from the range, or do you think there is a must-have Joseph Joseph product that everyone should have in their kitchen? 

There are the “classics” like Chop2Pot and Index which are really great products, however this year it’s got to be Totem. Released in January as part of our brand new Intelligent Waste range, this product allows you to sort all your household waste using just one bin. Incorporating a general waste section, recycling drawer and a food waste caddy, it’s full of innovative extras that make the process of sorting your waste and recycling much easier.

Is there a product that you would love to redesign, or a problem that you would particularly like to solve by inventing a new Joseph Joseph product?

There are too many ideas to pick just one!

What´s a typical day at Joseph Joseph, if there is one…?

When you run your own company, there isn’t necessarily a typical day. Generally though, we are always here keeping up with everything that is going on, from new product development to analysing recent launches and planning for future ones, we like to keep busy! Occasionally we travel, but generally a normal day will involve being in the office.

How are you both in the kitchen? Any culinary tips you can give us?

We’re both going to say that we are brilliant, it’s the competitive streak in us! In terms of tips, always have the right tools for the job.

You both live in London, where Joseph Joseph is based. Any places in your address book that you can share with us? A great restaurant, a stylish bar, or a favourite design shop for example?

We love the area around Southwark where our offices are based, there is so much going on that it never gets boring. Borough Market is especially inspirational, not just because of the amazing food, we also love to get ideas for new colours and products just by walking around and taking it all in.

Antony, you’re married and have children. When you´re not working, what is your ideal way to take time out as a family? Any favourite places you like to take the children?

We own a holiday cottage on the south coast as a family and we always try and go there a few times a year with our families, parents and all of our siblings, it can get a little crowded, but it’s great fun,

And how do you like to take time out for yourselves, without the kids?

We make sure that we spend some quality time away from work, whether this is as a big family unit or with just our partners. In winter we love to go skiing and in summer we like to go to Ibiza with friends if we can.

And finally, what´s next for Joseph Joseph? Any plans that you can share with us?

Going to have to be a “watch this space” we’re afraid, but we are very excited about everything that we have planned for the next few months.