ola | Work in Progress

“Relocating the essence of the studio, we offered a glimpse into our day-to-day studio life.”

As part of this year’s London Design Fair, we presented Work in Progress ..., an exhibition celebrating the origins and manufacturing journeys of the products we make. From the initial scribbles and sketches through to the printing processes, the exhibition shines a light on each stage.

The ola studio is located in the centre of Bristol, situated above a green square bordered with cherry trees that spring into blossom each May. Our space is usually a private one, shared only with employees and the occasional visitor. It’s here that the products originate, where creativity, patience and attention to detail are king.

Enter the studio and the first thing to draw your attention won’t be a finished notebook or patterned paper. You’ll arrive in the production room, greeted by two old printing presses and a landscape of brown boxes. Then through to the main studio, which is home to various desks and a large communal table.

You’ll find crammed bookshelves housing titles on individual artists and craft techniques, folders stuffed with sketches and prototypes. You’ll notice photographs and doodles taped above the workspaces. It will take some time before you come across a finished piece.

Work In Progress ... is an exhibition celebrating the ‘unfinished’, and everything that comes before. Shedding light on the evolution of a product by displaying early drawings and inspirations relating to our latest collection, and demonstrating our production processes. Relocating the essence of the studio, we offered a glimpse into our day-to-day studio life.