FK chats to Trent of bike accessory label Cyclesign based on South Coast, NSW. Taking used road signs to a totally new level!
Tell us about your label Cyclesign and what the concept is behind it?
At Cyclesign we make bicycle reflectors from used road signs. There are two styles of Cyclesign Bicycle Reflectors – The Cyclesign Wheel Reflector and the Cyclesign Rear Reflector. Each Cyclesign is made in Australia from 95-98% reused material, and no two Cyclesigns are the same.
What is your background and how did you started working with Cyclesign?
I am a furniture and object designer and for sometime now I have been making furniture from used road signs. In the production of these pieces of furniture there were always off-cuts from the road signs that could not be used. Cyclesigns were made to make use of these off-cuts in an innovative way, making the most of the reflective nature of road signs.
What inspires your work? and what keeps you motivated creatively?
My creative motivation is continually changing, but when I was designing Cyclesigns I was aiming to design a bicycle reflector that is as sustainable as possible. One great strategy for sustainability is reuse, and Cyclesigns are made from 95-98% reused materials.
What is your creative workspace like, and what inspires you about your surroundings?
My studio is at my home in Thirroul on the South Coast of NSW. My studio looks out into the bush and I find that this quiet and beautiful place gives me the space that I need to think. I hope to build a big shed in the coming years, to store my ever growing road sign collection and to provide the space needed to assemble Cyclesigns and other projects.
What do you love about working with old road signs? And what are some of the challenges?
The nicest thing about working with old road signs is that each piece that is made is unique. We cut Cyclesign parts in Sydney and assemble them in the studio in Thirroul, but every part that is cut from a road sign will always be different from those that were cut before. In this way, each piece is unique and I love to see the way that every Cyclesign evolves from this random approach.
What new projects are you working on and where would you like to see Cyclesign in the future?
At the moment I am working on a series of furniture project that explore Australian identity in design. This process is informing a Masters that will explore the idea of designing Australianess.
Great idea, Trent! These would look particularly good on the vintage style bikes that are popular now. As well as saving material resources by reuse, you’re most likely saving lives by making cyclists more visible. I like how the attachments (washers?) are incorporated into the design, too.