Passionate People - In Conversation with Nathan Beckwith
Hi Nathan,
We know you have an extremely busy schedule, so thank you for taking the time and talk to us. To start us off properly, could you introduce yourself—who you are, where you’re from, and what you do?
“I'm Nathan Beckwith, a commercial director within the design industry and originally from London, England. I live with my family in Copenhagen and work for the Danish heritage company Fredericia Furniture.”
What do you carry with you from each city—culturally or emotionally?
“My family originates from London, and although I spent my childhood in an idyllic village on the Suffolk borders, I still consider myself a Londoner. It’s a city that shaped me in many ways. You don’t carve your way in London, it kind of carves you. The energy of the city sets a pace to your daily activity and demands your attention. The creative culture there is so immersive that you can have 100% exposure to music, arts, design etc, but at times you need a timeout to decompress. That’s when I would escape back to the Suffolk countryside.
Tokyo is different and less stressful compared to London. I find a lot of peace and space there, which is sort of unexpected because of what people perceive of a mega-city. My Tokyo is not Shibuya or Shinjuku but the quiet streets where nature permeates the concrete jungle. That’s the beauty of it – the side streets behind the big metropolis reveal a side of Tokyo that’s very local and intimate. The commonality for me is how the two cities have distinctive seasons, how they each remind you of where you are and what nature's doing to the landscape. The aesthetic styles are quite different, but culturally Japanese and English have a similar appreciation of the old ways where quality and materials matter, as does manners.
More recently, life is based in Copenhagen which although dramatically smaller in comparison it’s creatively very interesting. Denmark is also where I can indulge my big passion for design and furniture. It’s still early days for our life here, but the city is perfectly connected to nature and the outdoors which creates a nice balance for life.”
How has travel influenced your way of thinking, living, and leading?
“Travel definitely broadens your horizons and exposes you to many experiences you wouldn’t ordinarily have, so it can only be a good thing. It made me feel a bit of a nomad being split between three cities and each one represents a different feeling of home. I try to keep an international view on tap to maintain a broad perspective and that helps me in my work. I never consider myself a leader, I simply want to create an environment where people feel inspired to collaborate on ideas or find alternative ways of looking at issues.”
What does a product like the M/S Backpack enable in your day-to-day rhythm?
“In a cycling city like Copenhagen, it means I can be mobile with all my daily essentials in one place. I can be comfortable and prepared for the next meeting. I used the backpack in Japan on my last business trip and it just looked and felt good.“
What’s currently inspiring you—whether a book, a piece of music, or a design object?
“I don't find much time for novels, I have a young daughter and a busy job so I use the limited time on things that nourish me in short bursts. I read poetry, currently Syliva Plath resides on the bedside table. I play guitar and every evening I work on something, a lot of blues at the moment with Freddie King and Eric Clapton. My other passion is Mingei - it's Japanese traditional arts and crafts which I collect, and I have some very nice pieces from a pottery town called Mashiko.”
Do you find emotional connection in functional design—and if so, how?
“I hope to find a connection to any design and good design should always have a function. It should solve a problem and have a task otherwise it's something of an ornament, still to be appreciated. Emotional connections are often unexpected, but I can say that Borge Mogensen was one designer that created with purpose and who you can get emotional about. Who could resist the practical charm of a J39 chair or the material composition of the Spanish lounger?”
What are some of your personal travel rituals—before, during, or after a trip?
“Returning to Japan is like going home for me. I always felt that way when I visited, and so I have my places to reconnect to when I'm there. My favorite local spots that seem to ground me in mind and body. I always visit the Hato-no-mori shrine and give thanks and make sure to walk the woodland of Meiji Jingu. My first meal in Japan is always tei-shoku which is generally steamed rice, miso soup, pickles and grilled fish.”
Are there any cultural dos and don’ts you’re mindful of when in Japan?
“Always be considerate of others is number one. Be your better self. In a city where people live in such close proximity, people value space and privacy so keep that in mind.”
What does “traveling well” mean to you today?
“Traveling well. Being prepared to travel so it's not a stressful experience and being culturally invested in where you're traveling to. Hopefully it has a positive impact on your life and those you meet.”
