Penny Min Ferguson – Min Pin

Name: Penny Min Ferguson
Brand: Min Pin
Job Title: Designer, maker, bookkeeper etc
Location: Melbourne

What did you want to be when you were a little ‘un?
When I was little I wanted to be lots of things! I think I wanted to be a cartoonist for a long time – I still do! I also wanted be herpetologist (the study of reptiles, not herpes!) when I was about 10 after visiting the zoo. I remember going through lots of different phases playing teachers, being spice girls, making plays, busking on the street.

What made you decide to start your own brand?
I had always been drawing, designing and making things, but after a really inspiring internship at a local design school, I gained insight into how to run and promote a small business. I realised it was possible(!) and the absolute perfect vehicle to pour everything I love doing into.

How would you describe your style of work?
Kawaii maybe? Which I’m pretty sure means kind of creepy/cute in Japanese, which I don’t mind. Weird – lots of people have said that! But weird is good, I like that.

What is the best and worst thing about being a designer?
The best thing is the love! I feel like I get to spend my days just playing around with colours, images and worlds that I just absolutely love – which is just the best thing. And also the challenge. I love challenging myself to create new, unique and special designs, products and packaging.

The worst thing though is that there is a lot of responsibility that rests on your shoulders and in times of illness it can be very stressful to keep the business ball rolling. I think it is very important to take physical and mental health rest days and keep a good balance between work and play.

What is your favourite creative outlet?
I really love working with new materials and tools because it’s like a fresh new challenge to get under the skin of the process and create something really awesome. At the moment I’m investigating 3D printing which is really cool!

There’s got to be something you’re shit at? What can’t you do?
My secret shame is that I’m a terrible cook, but that’s because for some strange reason I hate preparing food. I like eating though, but you can’t eat at restaurants all the time, you have to cook at some point and I’m shit at it.

What are your top 5 websites/blogs at the moment and what makes them stand out?
These are just a sliver of some of the designers and artists that I think amazing, unique, genuine, fun, free and innovative.

Misaki Kawai
Lili Scratchy
HTML flowers
Patrick Doherty
Mike Perry Studio

Date, Marry, Kill… List any celebrity (dead or alive)
I think I would date and marry Thom Yorke because I’ve been obsessed with Radiohead since I was 16, so that’s 10 years of deep unrequited love I could bring to the table there.

Kill though? Rupert Murdoch maybe?

So in the next couple of years your brand takes off like a rocket, multi million dollar offers start coming though the door. Do you stick with it? Sell out? Start again? What and where will you end up in 10 years time?
Still just truckin’ on I hope and making cool things and challenging myself but earning enough doe to get by and enjoy the world. No big intentions here.

What song or album are you currently listening to and is it any good?
Scott Walker’s Scott 4! I’ve been listening to it every day for the past few weeks and just looovving it! All the songs on that album are just flawless and beautiful.

“Boneless”

‘A really golden collection of songs and song sketches by musicians that all stuck to their guns and made records that came from the heart.’ – Penny Min Ferguson

On Your Own Again – Scott Walker