The Story Behind Julien Bonzom: Product design meets technology & mechanics

Pushing the boundaries of product design from form and function, to technology and mechanics, Founder, Julien Bonzom, shares how his design studio developed its unique offering for the interior design market. Julien highlights growing client sentiments towards the quality and expertise that comes with local craftsmanship to design for longevity.

What are the origins Julien Bonzom?

I grew up in the South of France. I pretty much spent my entire childhood in my dad’s workshop working alongside him with materials like wood and metal, and on agricultural machinery repairs. I studied history of art and the traditional furniture making at the Institute Europeen de Formation des Compagnons du tour de France (IEF-CTF) – a unique school led by the best French craftsmen.

I participated in several prestigious competitions and won the Meilleur Apprenti de France (MAF; best apprentice in France) before my 16th birthday. After this award I was incredibly happy to have had a job offered by a world renown company, which opened to me the opportunity to travel the world. I perfected my knowledge in manufacturing and discovered my passion for design.

When I settled in London in 2014, I set up my own design studio specialised in the fields of design, horology, furniture as well as creating unique and limited-edition design art pieces. My passion rapidly became a success that drove me towards more and more refined projects and tasks. My clientele today is international: from world renown Swiss watch brands to furniture manufacturers, editors, and private clients.

After almost a decade of dedication to perfection, building relationships, and garnering respect from industry leaders, I decided to move to Toulouse, France with the desire to create the pieces that were stuck in my head, and collaborate with people who have the same desire for creating as me. I have a profound respect for French tradition and craftsmanship, and my vision is to reinvigorate and rediscover a sense of pride in the history, heritage, and details of centuries ago.

How do you work with interior designers?

I work hand in hand with interior and yacht designers, as well as property developers. I’m a sort of a ‘tools box’ for them, which I enjoy. Due to my design and engineering background in multiple fields I have endless possibilities at the tips of my fingers: bringing horology and automotive details and finishes to products. Manufacturing specific fixings methodology and installations are only few examples of the services I offer. I mix craftsmanship techniques, engineering and material knowledge from many fields which gives interior designers the possibilities to have a unique piece that truly pushes their styling to a next level, whilst being functional at the same time.

Since 2018, as well as answering bespoke design commissions, I have been designing art pieces that truly represent my work, slowly building a collection and a name as a designer / artist. Interior designers enjoy using my creations as each is unique and can be positioned as part of many interior schemes.

What are the latest trends you’ve noticed in your client’s requests?

Regarding furniture and lighting brands, there is a trend towards designing new collections with ethical materials. In addition, there is always this perpetual ‘less is more’ trend, pushing to create clean lines all of which is also a part of my design approach.

In the horology sector, the current trend is to really push the independent craftsmanship. My clients ask me more and more to bring back old techniques into a modern feel, which I genuinely enjoy.

Private clients often do not look for a specific trend but instead ask to have something unique created that represents them. The requests for durability are on the rise, and it is a strength in my offering – to create pieces that will carry through to the next generation.

In general, design is moving towards the multi-function object, hand crafted and mostly produced locally. People are shifting the way of consuming goods and this will have a significant impact on new design. Julien Bonzom believes in designing products that last a lifespan, and that are built to be environmentally friendly. I am doing my best to achieve this every day.

What value does your sector add to the interior design industry?

The value is in creating objects that represent the client’s personality, objects that can be passed on to the next generation; not following a trend but owning an art piece.

How do your services/offering enhance an interior designer’s projects? 

I’m acting in a sector where customers have pretty much everything. Interior and yacht designers are constantly looking for objects that bring their clients’ experience to the next level. The services I offer integrate precision, craftsmanship, and technology with an array of materials, and help interior designers enhance their projects. I have knowledge into the manufacturing process and not design only; this helps designers save time and budget.

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