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Q & A with Donovan Hill 

Donovan Hill

• Who is Donovan?

Donovan Hill is a 2019 Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design graduate. He studied in the Interior Architectural Design program and minored in the Furniture program. He currently is an employee at the Good Lands Studios in Milwaukee creating furniture pieces for clients. He continues to work on his architectural work and is hoping to get a job as an Interior Designer in the near future.

• How long have you been creating Art?

Donovan Has been creating art since before he can remember. As a kid growing up he was put into special education because he would get into trouble for not paying attention in class. He saw the art room as a safe haven for him it was a place where he could express himself. Whenever he would as to leave the classroom he would gravitate to the art room. 

• When did you find your passion?

Originally after high school Donovan didn't think that school was for him. Having been in special education throughout his entire school career he felt that he wouldn't achieve success in academics. He was encouraged to take a look at MIAD because of his ability to draw. When he first came to MIAD he fell in love the the industrial design program. As a freshman at MIAD he later attended the shelter project at Catalano square and discovered the Interior architectural design program and felt that this is where he belonged because there was more room for artistic freedom.       

• What art mediums do you use?

Donovan Works with Revit, CAD, and Sketch Up to create his Interior Design Projects but his work comes to life when he draws. He loves putting his pencil to paper and creating with his hands. Being able to work with his hands was what really drove his work in the wood lab. He creates a lot of personal work tables cutting boards and even a bench.

• What's your favorite project that you've worked on?

Right now he's working on a commission to make a custom center council for a car. He's has created this design out of walnut wood it has sharp sleek edges and features a false bottom to put more valuable belongings. 

• What inspires you to create?

  Donovan really likes modern architecture, furniture, and interior design. He wants to create sleek designs that are true to the nature of the material. He's passionate about creating innovative custom designs. 

• What artists inspire you?

 John Michel Basquiat(Fine Artist), Keith Haring(Fine Artist), These two artist influenced Donovan's drawing style he liked how the artists approached their works are very lose and stylistic. Everything is very abstract but clear in what the artist is trying to depict. John Pawson (interior designer), and Max Bill(Industrial designer), influenced Donovan's Interior design and furniture pieces he likes the simplicity and minimalism of these designers they are very clean but they also account for the space they reside in. These designers look at the whole picture and design for the space around them. Donovan likes to take a similar approach to his design work taking into account the landscape, light, direction, and meaning behind the piece.  

• How did you become interested in Interior architecture/ Furniture? 

Passion for Furniture- When Donovan was 14 his Mom was into thrifting, she and Donovan would go to re-sale stores like good will and St. Vincent De Paul and pick out furniture that they liked that could be fixed up. They would take it to a friend Mr. Calvin and he would would re-upholster and completely redesign the furniture.  He showed Donovan his wood shop and all the tools he had and this was something that inspired him to create pieces of his own.
Passion for Interior design- When he was 10 when his parents got a divorce and him his mom and his siblings down sized to a two bedroom apartment with a den. His mother adapted the apartment into a 7 person home. He learned an appreciation for how to work with space and interiors.  

• When did you realize you found your passion?

  Sophomore year when he took his first furniture class. 

• How do you view the evolution of the custom furniture? is there more people who appreciate this craft?

  More people are recognizing that the craft that goes into these pieces is worth the price tag. People want to be cheap and buy furniture that's on sale. In the long run these custom furniture pieces are a long lasting and a better investment. 

• Where do you see your self in the future? 

Donovan hopes in the near future to start working in the Interior design field. He'll continue to create custom furniture pieces, but he wants to focus on getting his license to practice Interior Design.