Vert: (french) noun; green
Noted industrial designer and freethinking creative, Andrew Simpson, has been carving a reputation for his boutique company Vert Design for a few years now in the Sydney design scene. His beautiful approach to functional design has seen his work shown internationally and will soon be appearing as part of the very cool design line-up at this year’s pyd Design Markets taking place in Sydney on the 24th and 25th of October. Coinciding with the Danks Street Festival, the pyd markets in Waterloo are a celebration of creativity, inviting designers from all walks of life to display and sell their work.
Design Federation got a lend of Andrew Simpson’s ear to find out what makes him tick…
What was the professional journey that brought you to your business?
I started off as a glass blower which gave me a solid foundation in understanding 3D forms. This time also gave me the opportunity to truly begin to understand the relationship between design and production in the real world. I then started consulting for other design houses.
It was after I was offered some larger designer glass commissions that I financially was allowed to start my own business, Vert Design.
What motivated you to begin designing with sustainability in mind?
Designing for sustainability is purely a necessity. We have to get this right or we run out of a planet.
How did you approach the problem of ecological solutions in you designing and what challenges did this pose?
Vert Design keeps to the three main principals of ecological design;
Reduce,
Reuse
Recycle.
In all our projects we aim to use recyclable material. We also aim to use as least material as possible, and look towards longevity in all our designs. It sounds simple but it gives us a good way to work through complex problems
How do you think the trend towards ecodesign has impacted on your business?
We find it hard in the current Australian environment as many buyers and consumers want to appear as though they are ‘green’, rather than actually employing methods of sustainable living.
The issues are complex because we are often forced to compare and contrast so many variables (landfill, carbon emissions etc) within an eco system and world that is so vast and interconnected. Some systems and products look green until you look at the full system and others are green but don’t seem it
What is your advice to other designers confronting the “eco solution” challenges of our time?
Green products don’t have to be beige and look boring. Also get your materials right and you are half way there.
What is the most exciting project you ever worked on?
Vert design has just recently received a commission to design a new chocolate bar for a well-known confectionary company but our in house projects are probably the most fun.
What would be the most exciting project you can imagine working on?
Designing and creating classical timber yachts. No electronics, no GPS, just simple, hand carved wooden forms.
What inspires you?
Natural forms at different scales. Arial views of topography, microscopic views of cells. Evolution has self-handedly solved most of the world’s problems on a range of scales.
What do you wish your customers understood?
User research is an integral part in creating resolved design solutions. We can’t just make assumptions.
Coolest part about your job?
I love meeting with so many different types of people on a daily basis. Industrial design allows you to interact with everyone, from lawyers to factory owners, engineers and crafts men to advertising agents. We get amongst it all.
The future of design is…?
Mass customization. As manufacturing methods change, we will move away from million part product runs to smaller runs with products being printed and grown instead of molded
The future of Vert is…?
Well, we can only aim and at the moment we are striving to be the best designer consultancy practice in Australia.
Your site says, We pride ourselves in being an easily approachable design agency: from the student in need of advice what advice would you offer an eager, young industrial designer or would-be industrial designer?
You are what you do and you become what you do. If you want to be a furniture designer then design furniture. If you love it do it and people will follow you.
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Tags: eco, Eco-design, ecological design, glass blowing, Recycle
Great interview, I am very interested in all things Eco, its just a pity he didnt go into more detail with the answers..
maybe he lets his designs speak for themselves.