Recently we went to Launceston to visit CUSP: Designing into the Next Decade, which was exhibiting at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery. As part of CUSP, we’re heading to each venue to chat to someone local in the area who can provide an insight into what CUSP does or doesn’t provide to the region an insight from the sector into what the exhibition really means.

In Launceston, we caught up with Simon Ancher; award-winning Tasmanian furniture designer and maker. Simon is the Program Director of Furniture Design at the School of Architecture and Design at the University of Tasmania, and he also runs his own design practice where he has been developing his own furniture range, as well as undertaking commission work, including public art and seating. Ancher’s work is informed by the use of appropriate materials over style and is inspired by observation.

During his visit to CUSP, Ancher brought along his children who were highly engrossed in all facets of the exhibition’s interactive design. His sons were highly engaged with the works, giving special attention to the workshop which involved designing a machine. Ancher applauded the timelessness in the designs by commenting that the general public need to be physically engaged in order to really understand a designer’s concept. “CUSP raises the bar in terms of technical advancement; the simple practicalities of the day-to-day and low-tech solutions, commented Ancher.

Missed any of our other designer catchups?