#InTheMoment series: we will interview Thomas Lyte staff, our partners and clients to explore in detail the moments that inspire us.
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Interviewee: Jinho Jeong
Role: Senior Industrial Designer, Thomas Lyte
#InTheMoment Blog Subject: Crafting a Bespoke Tribute to The Emirates FA Cup
Slawn’s FA Cup: A unique collaboration between Olaolu Slawn, Thomas Lyte and The FA to design and create a one-of-a-kind FA Cup trophy.
Key Themes: Thomas Lyte Company Culture, Being Inspired by the Workshop, Marrying Technology and Tradition, Artist Slawn and the Collaboration with the Emirates FA Cup
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As the Emirates FA Cup First Round Proper kicks off in early November, we reflect on our exciting campaign in partnership with the Football Association and the talented Nigerian artist, Olaolu Slawn who also designed last year’s Brit Award. Recently, our team sat down with Senior Industrial Designer Jinho Jeong to discuss his first year at Thomas Lyte and the pivotal role he played in one of our most remarkable collaborations to date.
Jinho explains why Thomas Lyte instantly stood out to him:
Jinho Jeong: “My journey here wasn’t traditional. I started in an industrial setting and gradually moved into premium brands, which led me to Thomas Lyte.”
“I joined last year as a Senior Industrial Designer, bringing my experience of turning brand stories into beautiful objects. What I love about Thomas Lyte is that everything we design is crafted into a stunning work of art by our experienced craftsmen, which is incredible to witness.”
Working closely with our master silversmiths is a key factor in fostering creativity:
Jinho Jeong: “When I saw Thomas Lyte’s work I thought this is lovely and it was an area that I felt like I could contribute. As soon as I walked into the workshop, saw the trophies, I knew I wanted to work here.”
“I really enjoy working with all the silversmiths. They’re really interesting and kind people who are always willing to share their expert advice when I’m designing. It is rare that I don’t come out a conversation with some absolute gold!”
The concept of working together and sharing advice is an integral part of life at Thomas Lyte. Jinho breaks down this unique combination below:
Jinho Jeong: “One of the things I love about Thomas Lyte is that while we stay true to traditional craftsmanship at our core, we also embrace modern technology to enhance efficiency and quality. Collaborating with the silversmiths, we use technology to continuously improve our work.”
“My advice is to always be open to listening to your colleagues, be open to advice, be humble, be respectful and believe in yourself that there’s transferable skills. I’m still learning, picking up new skills but if you have experience making beautiful shapes and telling great stories that skill will translate to no matter what medium it is.”
This environment enabled Jinho to be at the forefront of a one-of a kind campaign with Nigerian artist Olaolu Slawn and the FA, to produce a bespoke tribute to the Emirates FA Cup:
Jinho Jeong: “Everybody involved in the project, from start to finish, worked extremely hard to make sure the end result was a success, for Thomas Lyte, the FA and of course Slawn himself. Efficient and open communication was key to this project, as we collaborated on multiple elements of the project simultaneously, often remotely. A speedy design and manufacturing process was vital to produce the trophy in time for the week of the Emirates FA Cup Final.”
It was Slawn’s first interaction with Jinho and the workshop team, that began the vision of this campaign:
Jinho Jeong: “Slawn took the marker and he started doing his beautiful work. As he was sketching, we talked, and he was open to my advice and the advice from the head of our workshop, Kevin Hart. By the time we got to the final drawing, we could really see that we had this beautiful trophy.”
“After the meeting, I said to Slawn and his team, before we even go into production, let me share some options for you guys. We wanted to make sure the final trophy was close to Slawn’s vision but more importantly, making sure Slawn and everyone felt involved and respected throughout the process.”
Slawn’s bespoke tribute sat side by side to the Emirates FA Cup trophy at an inaugural ‘Cup Culture’ Event. Held on the Monday before last season’s clash between Manchester’s two great rivals, this event was hosted at the Oval Studios in East London and brought together leading figures from fashion, gaming, music and art such as Sidemen’s Tobi Brown (TBJZL) and UK rap star AJ Tracey:
Jinho Jeong: “Seeing Slawn’s reaction when unveiling the final piece, his kind words about working with our team and the amazing attention both trophies received at the event, made this whole process extremely special.”
To read more about the event, click here: https://thomaslyte.com/slawn-cup-culture-football-trophy-art/
Our collaboration with Slawn was a triumphant success; we witnessed the power of working with new people, in different industries which opened new avenues for future collaborations.
Jinho explains what’s next for Thomas Lyte:
Jinho Jeong: “We are always in talks with athletes, clubs and tournaments. We feel we can take their brand and embody it in beautiful silverware.”
“Adding this collaboration to our existing portfolio allows us to assure clients that we can uphold Thomas Lyte’s traditions while aligning with their vision. As a result, we’ve already attracted interest from many new clients.”
Crafting excellence isn’t just a job; it’s a real passion at Thomas Lyte, and our employees, like Jinho, are the torchbearers of a tradition that spans generations.
Stay tuned for the next chapter of our #InTheMoment employee blog series when we hear from a key member of the sales team at Thomas Lyte, exploring Thomas Lyte’s exciting and revolutionary relationship with women’s sport.
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Recruitment at Thomas Lyte:
If you are seeking employment, and would like to develop your skills in the silversmithing industry, like Jinho, call us at +44 (0) 207 751 8844 or email us at hr@thomaslyte.com. We are actively recruiting and will be delighted to speak with you.
Read about our press mentions and awards for the project
We have selected a number of case studies that demonstrate the broad range of our capabilities designing and making in precious metals.
