Face to Face… with George Wu

George Wu, a new director on an issue of shots last year, and one half of the design collective Household, founded The Poundshop in April. A "wallet-friendly boutique" which showcases and sells specially designed goods for one pound or less, the inaugural iteration of the shop was a huge success and now it's here again to coincide with London Design Week. Here Wu talks about how and why she started the Poundshop, what it entails and her favourite less-than-a-pound product.

What exactly is The Poundshop?

In reflection to the current financial times, The Poundshop is a wallet-friendly boutique selling designer products for a pound. Stocked with all manner of original and collectable paraphernalia with a keen focus on usability and great design. With commissioned new products from upcoming to well established artists- all for the price of one pound!

How did you get involved?

I am part of a design collective called Household with Sarah Gottlieb and together we make new collaborations as a means to learn. The concept came from a chat with illustrator Sara Melin one night at a Christmas party. We shared a desire to have a design shop of our own but with everyone's purse strings getting tighter we thought our audience might be quite limited and so the Poundshop was born.

What is your contribution to the event?

I am one of the founders so we share the whole running of the event, we also look after the graphics and this time we will have a product in the shop!

Why do you think The Poundshop was such a success in April?

The Poundshop is the complete opposite of the normal design shop where you can literally afford to buy everything! The success is down to the great products we have had. To create something to retail at a pound and still make a profit is no easy brief, but our contributors managed it fantastically. This tough brief is also the curious point for the customer as they are intrigued to see what people have come up with. Plus no one can resist a bargain!

You're a director for Red Bee as well as a designer through your collective, Household; how do the two disciplines compare?

Funnily the methods are becoming very similar the more projects Household do, such as the Poundshop. We always need a team of great up-for-it people. It's been a good lesson in delegating, which has never been my strong suit! But right now, watching everyone running around in the shop, I am very grateful and owe many pints!

What other designers and creative people inspire you and why?

Last week I saw the Francis Alys show at the Tate. He must be the king of delegating. In 'When Faith moves Mountains' 2002, the huge group of students move a whole sand dune one shovel at a time whilst constantly maintaining a line by walking together. Also watching a fox on the loose in the National Portrait Gallery reminds me of my new pup, they share the same sneaky look as he hunts for something new to chew up.

Why do you think London Design Week is an important event?

It's a collective opportunity for designers to showcase their wares highlighting London as the design capital it is. A great existing platform for experiments like the Poundshop pulling such a wide audience from all over the world.

What's your favourite thing that costs a pound or less?

In general: A Fab ice-lolly
At the Shop: Knitted lion brooch by Teresa Mum. (She is my mum!)

The Poundshop opens on 18 September in East London. For more information visit www.house-hold.org/poundshop.