Lamunlamai
Please introduce yourself.
My name is Nopkamon, or Mai. I have been a designer-entrepreneur in the craft industry in Thailand for a decade. I believe creative business practices can be a tool for social improvement and collective change with a social and environmental impact.
I am a co-founder of Lamunlamai craft studio, a Bangkok/London-based circular ceramics studio that also curates some practice-based exhibitions regarding artisanal craft-making and local communities.
Establishing my pottery business is not just for myself or my communities but for conceiving the values of ceramics, innovative craftsmanship, and meaningful approaches for others, as well as for what I can share with the world through my design and flourishing business practices sustainably to make people have a better life.
This is my statement to the world: I make. Therefore, I am.
What does 'Lamunlamai' mean?
Soft and Gentle.
Could you please describe your creation process and what is your favourite part of it?
Think - Produce - Sell
Every step is important and interconnected. For us, it probably depends on the project and its context. But for me, I like the process of creating an overview of each project and then connecting the dots in each section to integrate them together. For Nam, my partner, he likes the production the most. Because in this section, there will always be an opportunity for us to try new things along the way. And many times, we find interesting things from our experiments during the process.
In terms of collaboration projects, we enjoy meeting with restaurants, whether shop owners, managers or chefs. At this stage, we are privileged to sit and listen to that person's personal story. They come to tell us about their dreams, their passions and their needs. It is important to us to listen to their stories. We are honored to have this Q & A session to get to understand how people in other industries work. In addition, it is our privilege to exchange different perspectives. These things are all great ways to fuel our creative work.
What project are you most proud of?
The 10th anniversary campaign and exhibition of Lamunlamai.
Lamunlamai has been recognized in Thailand and internationally. How do you plan to continue growing in the future?
Just keep doing it, no matter what or how we expand internally or globally. I know it takes time. We can go slow, but we never stop.
Starting your own studio and running a business in the art and design industry isn't easy. Do you have any advice for people thinking about following a similar path?
Relax - we all have fear.
What does Thailand today mean to you?
Home -- Forever love-hate relationship but No place like home.
Thank you for answering our questions Mai!
For more, you can visit their website and their IG.