Mim Design is an award-winning, multidisciplinary, creative studio in Melbourne composed of a group of creative designers dedicated to a highly customized and personalized design from concept to delivery. As a founder of Mim Design, Miriam Fanning has more than 20 years of experience and has established a good reputation in the design industry. Constantly inspired by the surrounding environment, seeking a strong design concept and rational use of functions for each project. Miriam's enthusiasm for visual exploration and the achievement of high quality standards ensure that each project is well designed.

Yinji：If you could use a paragraph to summarize your design philosophy, how would you describe it?
Miriam：This year we’re celebrating more than 20 years of practice, and as I reflect on our team and our portfolio of work, the continuity of architecture and interior design has been a recurring theme. It’s something we’re incredibly passionate about. We love the collaborative process, whether internally with each other, or with builders, suppliers and of course our wonderful clients. Working across residential, hospitality and commercial sectors, the challenges are varied, however a commitment to quality and a refined finished remains the same. Ultimately, we strive to inspire our clients and go beyond their expectations by creating work that we both love.

Yinji：What inspired your interest in and love for design?
Miriam：Growing up, I was always encouraged to keep busy rather than sit still, and this family value manifested itself in a love of drawing which opened my mind to the visual world from a very early age — this is where it all started.
Today, my inspiration and love of design is driven by the world around me. When I go for a walk, I’ll challenge myself to stay present so that I am able to observe shadows, houses and colours. As modern day technology provides us with a constant source of inspiration at our fingertips, I believe it’s more important than ever for the design community to become reacquainted with the lost art of observing the everyday.

Yinji：How do you create an elegant space? How to elegantly combine space with light, materials and craftsmanship?
Miriam：Far more than aesthetic, ultimately elegant design is about purposeful decision making and responding to the needs of our clients, as well as form and function. As a studio, we take a fresh and unique response to each client’s brief in order to deliver site specific design outcomes that pay homage to robust materials and craftsmanship — in turn, creating timeless, unique, elegant spaces.
We are constantly looking for ways to celebrate the unique qualities of a project, because doing so allows us to find warmth and honesty within elegance and luxury. Understanding a site’s location, curating the light, air and space, and the connection to surrounding nature, is key. It’s in this strong yet sympathetic approach that we’re able to mediate quality, approachability and mood.

Yinji：What is luxurious design? How do you define luxury?
Miriam：Luxurious design should inspire and exceed our expectations. Our philosophy is to produce unique and individual design results that not only reflect our clients or their brand but enhance their lives by emotionally creating a sensory connection — this is what luxury is all about.