Michael Anastassiades launched his London design studio in 1994, with the intention of exploring contemporary notions of culture and aesthetics through a combination of product, furniture and 
environmental design.
His work is predominantly described by others as a balance between fine art and design.
Anastassiades himself prefers not to place his work in a box. He simply sees himself as a creative person who doesn’t care for labels and wants to remain open and focused on what he does best.
Having studied industrial design and engineering at London's Royal College of Art and Imperial College – the Cypriot-born designer has created an eclectic range of signature pieces; including a collection of lighting, mirrors, furniture and tabletop objects that are unique, timeless and carefully detailed.
Anastassiades is highly regarded for his hand-made lighting products, which include unlimited editions of glowing spheres, minimal mobile chandeliers and spherical lamps.
Featured in permanent collections at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, the Craft Council in London, the FRAC Centre in Orleans, France, and the MAK in Vienna. His solo exhibitions include Time and Again at the Geymüllerschlössel/MAK in Vienna, To Be Perfectly Frank at Svenskt Tenn in Stockholm, Norfolk House Music room at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London and the Cyprus Presidency at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium.
After collaborating with the architectural firm Studio Mumbai in 2006, Anastassiades also began working with some of the world's leading architects – including David Chipperfield and John Pawson – and interior designers such as Studio Ilse. His lights can be seen in hotels, restaurants and stores worldwide; including the Grand Hotel in Stockholm, Soho House in New York and Sergio Rossi boutiques worldwide.
We recently had a chat to Michael from his London studio about his work and inspirations.
Have you always had a passion for art & design?
Yes, absolutely, from an early age I did. I mean as much as I was exposed to it, as I grew up in a very small place in Cyprus and there was not so much accessibility there for things like this to see. But any opportunity I had for this kind of thing, I definitely grabbed it and tried to follow that.
Where did you study design?
I studied design at the Royal College and I did a post-graduate. I never did an undergraduate as I studied civil engineering as my first degree and then a masters of design at the Royal College in London.
How did your career in design begin?
I very briefly worked for some design studios as a freelancer but I always pursued my own direction, as I felt somehow I didn’t truly fit with anything else that was going on.
How would you describe your work?
It’s not something that can be answered briefly. I would describe myself as a modernist if I was to sort of put myself in a certain category- that is what I would identify with really and how do I describe my design? I would say it is modern and minimal.
Are you more inspired by art or design?
I’m definitely more inspired by artists rather than designers work but that is not to say I do not admire other designers’ creativity. However, I relate more to artists work as I believe there is a different sense of freedom in what they do. I can follow contemporary art, which is going on around 
me and internationally.
What are your other main sources of inspiration?
My sources of inspiration vary. While I sometimes come up with straightforward ideas, it also comes from daydreaming and letting your imagination wonder. Not necessarily forms, shapes or anything like that, but rather studying the relationships that exist between people and objects. Unfortunately for me, inspiration nowadays comes during travelling, as I’m constantly on a plane, moving from one place to another. But either way, the important thing is not the method, but the fact that inspiration is there. Ideas are generated by keeping your eyes open and observing the things around you, in any environment you may find yourself in.
Is there any work of your own you are most fond of?
At the end of the day, every piece of work you create is associated with a certain period of your life. So I guess my early work has become a bit more sentimental as it is more precious in the sense that it takes you such a long time and effort to come up with these creations. Whereas when you mature in your work and it evolves and develops, then there are more projects that come about, so it becomes a little bit easier. But of course all of my work is special to me.
Has your Cypriot background influenced your work in any way?
Absolutely. I don’t think there is anything you do in life or any environment that you grow up in that doesn’t affect the influence of your work. I don’t think it’s a conscious thing but subconsciously it does play a part in the creative process.
Any new or exciting projects you can tell us about?
We are doing a lot of collaborations with some new companies that I can’t disclose the names of right now but we are also teaming up again with existing partners like Herman Miller and Flos. We are also expanding our collection, which we are going to launch in Milan next year. I consider myself very lucky to be given the opportunity to create things that I like and I believe every project that comes my way is for a reason. I’m happy with where I’ve been and what has been coming my way.
