SID Insider Design Hunter™ Q&A: Henry Wilson

An insider in this year’s Sydney Indesign, Henry Wilson is a designer whose practise is built around his belief that design should be both built for longevity and honestly resolved. Peek into his daily inspiration with a snapshot of his desk.

On My Desk:

From top left:

Rimowa case, I’m convinced that buying one good set of luggage is the most cost effective in the long run.

Moleskin pad, pens and pencils.

iPad and case by ‘want les essentials’,

Eames leg splint 1942. Not exactly a travel essential… But a good NYC flea market find nonetheless. Perhaps I could wear it to score a sympathy upgrade.

Indigo work jacket. I have a few of these but my favourite is this vintage one.

Idler magazine (utopia issue). This is less a magazine and more a philosophy on living.

Leatherman wave

Retro super-future glasses

Business cards

A-joint. This has been a work trip setting up manufacturing licences in the UK and USA so it helps to have some samples to show what you’re on about!

Il bisonte travel wallet. The only leather goods that truly ripen with age.

Design Hunter Q+A:

Your name: Henry Wilson

What you do: Designer

Your latest project: ‘A-joint’ a joinery system for pre-dimensioned timber.

What is your favourite…

travel destination: The ocean – sailing.

hotel/place to stay: Damp, narrow bunk bed on said sailing boat.

airline: Valium

magazine: Monocle

Watchmaker: Timex

luxury goods company: Weltevree

three people that inspire/excite you

1) E. Barber & J. Osgerby

2) Dr Rodney Hayward

3) Irma Boom

design classic: Zeroll ice-cream scoop & Gio Ponti Superleggra.

new design: Light house lamp, Bouroullec Brothers

favourite type of chair: Gio Ponti supperleggra

meal: Oysters, brown bread, cold butter.

restaurant: Berta, Sydney

drink: Cold whiskey

gallery/museum: Chichu Art Museum, Benesse Art Site Naoshima, Japan.

book: A place of my own, Michael Pollan

item in your studio: Very old heat lamp used for infant jaundice. Made in Sydney.

artwork: Open Sky , 2004 by James Turrell.

artist: China De La Vega

piece of technology: wireless speakers.

creative philosophy:material and functional honesty.

From high profile designers to trendsetting design hunters, the SID Insiders will be leading the Sydney Indesign experience by lending us their eyes and ears, sharing their thoughts on Sydney Indesign and giving a personal insight into their own design journeys.

From their approach to Sydney, favourite haunts and city tips, right down to how they navigate their lives, make sure to follow their Twitter, Instagram andFacebook pages as they share their own experience of Sydney Indesign.