JANUARY 23-26, 2025
Metro Toronto Convention Centre North Building
In the Studio withRussell Greenberg
Designer
Welcome to In The Studio,
where IDS asks a series of quick-fire questions to a celebrated member of the design community.
Russell Greenberg is the founder of interdisciplinary design firm RUX Studios, and the creator of Stickbulb and Gradual. His work ranges from award-winning mosque master plans to water purification systems, porcelain statues, mobile devices, jewelry, vending machines, and sustainable LED lighting. After a decade of developing products and intellectual property for the likes of Unilever, Samsung, Mozilla Firefox, and Pernod Ricard, Russell transformed his studio's business model in 2017 into a platform to create and grow its own in-house brands.
What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting their career?
Patience is a superpower.
What is the most inspiring object in your studio/home office?
An illuminated sculpture we built called Ambassador - made out of 350-year-old redwood salvaged from a NYC water tower. It is 18 feet in diameter and appears to hover on a mirrored base in the middle of my studio.
What has been the biggest change in your work since you started designing?
I studied to be an architect and dreamed of designing structures. I ended up on the other end of the equation, salvaging wood from demolished buildings to make products. At a certain point I realized that if we are going to design a circular economy, it doesn't matter where you are along the circle as long as you are on it.
Your dream work chair?
Any couch.
What’s your favourite thing about your studio/home office location?
There is a 100 year old brick wall in my studio that is slowly calcifying. over the last 7 years I have watched it grow like an urban coral reef.
Favourite piece of furniture in your home or studio?
A little red elephant-shaped stool that I used to play on as a kid at my grandparent's house no sits in my living room and looks back at me like an old friend.
Favourite piece of stationery that you can’t live without?
I scribble on everything. Old receipts. Junk Mail. Cereal Boxes.
Form or function?
Don't make me do it!
How to you get out of a creative rut?
Being in the moment with my family.
If you could redesign any well-known landmark, which one would it be?
911 Memorial.
Favourite music artist to work to?
Classical, or Brian Eno.
What’s one thing you wish you knew five years ago?
You are a dog person and you don't know it yet. Get one now!
What is your dream project or collaboration?
Deconstructing an entire building, metabolizing every part, giving each molecule a meaningful second act.
What fruit is best designed…explain
Olives. I love olives. The green ones with pits.
Strangest thing you have designed (no explanation needed)
Clocks that gradually drip time. www.begradual.com
