Derek McLeod Design

Derek McLeod Design was founded in 2008 as a company dedicated to bringing quality furniture and objects into people’s lives. It functions as a manufacturer of exclusive products and provides professional design services for contract and residential markets. Any of the above can be discussed by contacting Derek at derek@derekmcleod.com.

Derek McLeod

Derek McLeod graduated with a Bachelor of Design from OCAD U in 2004.

In 2006, Derek was shortlisted for the OFS Hotseat Chair Design Competition and presented in Dallas, Texas. In 2007, Derek was shortlisted for the Ceramics for Breakfast Design Competition and his work was shown in Milan at the MACEF International Home Show. He also showed work at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York. In 2008, Derek exhibited at 100% Design in London as part of a group of 10 Canadian designers selected by the Design Exchange. Derek has also exhibited as part of the Interior Design Show in Toronto, Heavy Metal, Tools, Associates, Material Explorations at Harbourfront, MOTO at Domison and other group shows.

Derek has been an invited critic at furniture critiques at the University of Toronto, OCAD U and Sheridan College. Derek has also taught furniture design at OCAD U in the Industrial Design department. Derek designs and fabricates many of his own prototypes which are aimed at international competitions and eventual production.

Derek creates furniture and objects for people who like to live with quality. The pieces can be described as archetypal, comfortable and usable – things which make life better by looking and performing well. A reduction occurs in the design process which strips away unnecessary elements to arrive at a clear and obvious result. Chasing the ideal is a phrase which describes Derek’s work, striving for the best version of a thing while understanding that the idea of best is always changing.