Nicholas Fuller is an associate at Adelaide's JamFactory under the tutelage of the highly respected Jon Goulder. His design philosophy is about enriching everyday living, and his keen eye for detail was honed by a long family exposure to craftsmanship.

How would you describe your design philosophy and aesthetic?

As a young designer my path is not fully established as yet and I’m constantly learning new things and my practice is evolving. Although I currently see my work as something that can enrich everyday living and hopefully last generations to come and maybe be a collectable down the track. My aesthetic is still developing but I feel it is clean and crisp and my body of work has a similar language throughout. My practice is process led and highly based on craft.

The 'Phil' chair is crafted from soap-finished oak and Kvadrat fabric.

What is your biggest motivator or muse when you are designing?

I feel my biggest motivator when I am designing is understanding how I will make the piece. I can push myself in the design process and then work out ways to resolve the final piece. My design and craft processes work hand in hand and allow me to see a piece from start to finish.

Nicholas Fuller in the studio

What has been the most pivotal point or event in your design life so far?

2014 was a great first year in my personal practice. I had started the year focusing on designing exhibition work, which was then displayed nationally throughout some of Australia’s biggest design exhibitions and competition’s. My favorite exhibition to be included in was in Canberra and it was a retrospective of Hans J Wegners life.

The 'Lotus' chair was exhibited at Workshopped in Sydney in 2014

What (or who) inspired your most recent design?

Recently I designed a casual chair named Phil. This chair was designed and prototyped numerous times to resolve it fully. The chair was named after a very close family friend who was also a furniture designer. He inspired me from a very young age and helped my find my feet in the early stages of my career. Unfortunately he passed away around 5 years ago and I wanted to design something that I could remember him by. He had a huge amount of skill as a designer maker and I hope to continue and grow in the same direction.

Detail of the 'Juxta' desk, with slide out trays.

Do you have a favourite design in your portfolio, and why?

I have recently designed a credenza cabinet alongside the new casual chair; certain components share the same language but I really love the door façade on the credenza. Through the design process I was investigating different materials to use and discovered vacuum forming leather - I resolved the process and the doors are now made from it.

The credenza features a vacuum pressed Italian leather front in a Canadian rock maple frame

What materials, processes or new categories do you hope to explore in future?

I want to continue working with the vacuum formed leather and I see more potential in it. Coming from a trade in furniture making and wood machining I also want to see what else I can do with the timber I’m working, I enjoy hand shaping components and I’m excited to continue working on the new pieces.

Stacking timber boxes are made with minimal use of machines

Do you have one piece of styling/ /design advice for home decorators?

Look local! There are so many great emerging and established Australian designers that are making great work, we need to support it.

Quickfire questions:

My favourite iconic design is: Hans J Wegner's Wishbone chair
My dream project would be: A solo exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia (I wish!)
My favourite era for design is: Mid century modern, It’s still shaping design today.
I am creatively fuelled by: My passion as a furniture designer-maker and wanting to design original work.

 Follow Nicholas on Instagram @nicholas_fuller

Voting in our Emerging Designer Award 2015 has now closed.