This is your first collaboration with Allermuir. Tell us a bit about yourself!
SW I am Samuel Wilkinson, an industrial designer with a studio in Elephant & Castle, South London.
We work on a variety of projects from small consumer products right the way up to large installations in the public realm, specialising in furniture and lighting.
Have you always had an interest in design? What has the journey to where you are today been like and where do you hope to see yourself 5 years from now?
SW My first contact with design was through completing a 2 week work experience as a 17 year old in an architect’s firm. They asked me to try CAD and this really opened my eyes to how things could be designed. Then after A-levels and an art foundation I went to study Furniture and related product design at Ravensbourne.
After graduating I worked for different studios for 6-7 years then started my own studio.
I have been lucky to work on a wide range of projects with good clients. In product design, and especially furniture/lighting, you have to keep pushing and its not easy. Some things work out, others do not, which can be frustrating.
“I love what I do so the main thing for me is to always be inquisitive and passionate, look to learn new things and trust in your instinct.”
Although I have had my studio for over 10 years and only feel now I am getting towards where I want to be, so hopefully for the next 5 years I can continue to keep building and work more interesting projects.
What are three things that inspire your design?
SW Form, function, context.
Tell us about your studio space, when it was established, where is it, anything particular you chose about the area or the space itself etc.
SW I have only just moved into a new space at the start of this year as the building I was in for last 3 years is about to be demolished. My new space is in an old Catholic school. It is one large room with very high ceilings and good light and works well. I wanted to find something near Waterloo as I moved out of London a few years ago and now travel in so Elephant & Castle is perfect. The area has been in much needed regeneration mode for the last 10 years so has changed a lot. Its far from completed yet but I like the mix of old and new.
How would you describe your studio in three words?
SW Comfortable, functional, airy.
What is the one thing you couldn’t manage without in your studio?
SW Probably my computer, its obviously the best tool! It does make me respect, even more, the mid-century masters and how they managed without it!
When is your favorite time of day to get in the studio and design?
SW I often find that I’m most productive between 6-8pm in the evening. My assistants leave at 6pm and the emails stop so it’s easiest to focus on completing some tasks.
When it came to designing Yõso what was your process?
SW It started with a lot of sketching, searching for different combinations and junctions.
Sketching rarely involves a whole chair, I often look for signature details or new lines through a new product so these can be quite loose. Then if I find something with potential I will sketch it in more detail or even go straight to 3D CAD to see if the proportions can work.
We came up with four different designs and presented them to Allermuir and Yõso stood out.
“The task wasn’t to create something new, how can you reinvent the wheel? But rather to reveal the form that already existed. As an industrial designer I use my knowledge of production to harmoniously blend, traditional design sensibilities, with technology, and manufacturing, to create products that have a subtle freshness but most importantly stand the test of time.”
At this stage the 3D CAD is already at about 90% the final chair but the last 10% requires patience. First thing was to 3D print a 1:5 scale model to review general proportions, then make a loose 1:1 blue foam model the arm / leg / back junction.
We then made a simple timber 1:1 prototype to start to test ergonomics. As the back rest sits on top of the arm, getting the seat balance is more difficult as changing one thing directly affects another. After a few focused weeks of testing iterations of 3D printed backrests, we found the right geometry.
As its Allermuir’s first all timber arm chair I was quite involved in the production development from previous experiences. Helping the chair migrate smoothly through any structural updates / cost implications. I really enjoy this part of the process as there is always compromise and the challenge staying true to the original design intention while still making an efficient product.
What was your most and least favourite part of that process?
SW Both these applied to waiting for the first production sample. It took some time and being patient in that moment is difficult as the hard work is done. You really want to see the design in its true materials and test the chair!
Are there any other designers that inspire you and your making?
SW Most admiration at the moment comes from mid-century Danish designers like Wegner, Juhl, Kjaerholm etc. There is so much quality and consistency to their work, each with their own style but always on point.
What new materials and technologies interest you the most right now?
SW For me its not really the materials but the approach. I always try to imbue a deeper consideration for a products life cycle and impact on our world, so its great that this is more front and center of all product launches than it used to be.
Lastly, inspire us, what’s going on in the design community? Anything you have seen recently… events, books, films?
SW I haven’t been yet but I am looking forward to see the Enzo Mari exhibition at the design museum. Also the Salone del mobile arrives in two weeks so this is always the highlight of the year, see new design and old friends!
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