A fascination with objects and how they work led Lucas Wotawa to study industrial design at Massey in Wellington. Upon completion of his studies, he undertook an internship with one of New Zealand's most established designers Jaime McLellan. He currently works in the props department for The Hobbit movie for Peter Jackson.

Focusing on understanding the life-cycle of a product and how some furniture pieces can date quickly, Wotawa created the 'Self Taut' collection of stools. The upholstery can be changed quickly and easily through the use of an embroidery hoop and clamping fixture. This allows an unlimited opportunity for the owner to personalise the stools with their favourite t-shirt or fabric and the stools can constantly adapt with the domestic space which they're in.

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We first came across Emma Fox Derwin and Nigel Groom of Wellington based design studio Well-Groomed-Fox a couple of years ago. Since then, they've exhibited in Milan at the Salone del Mobile, at the Interieur Biennale in Belgium and at the D3 Design Talents Competition at the Cologne Fair in Germany. Having formed their studio in 2008, the multidisciplinary designers have worked with clients that include international fashion brand Fred Perry.

The XY+Z suit rack started out as an investigation into the habitual act of dressing, and the storage of clothing. They considered how to move away from a traditional flowing wardrobe, and asked themselves, 'can we introduce formality to the everyday act of dressing?'.

Inspired by the traditional men's valet clothing the stand, the suit rack can accommodate an entire ensemble: jacket, shirt, tie, belt, pants, hat and shoes. Conceived to be both functional yet visually appealing, the product is easy to assemble and disassemble and can be flat-packed for transport.

To view more of Well Groomed Fox's work go here.

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Chris Johnson's interest in design can be credited to his family heritage: both of his grandfathers were carpenters. An industrial designer, his experience has led him to work on a variety of projects, including a greenhouse for Stephen and Lucy Marr, fashioned from old villa windows, which was subsequently featured on The Selby.

The 'Afternoon desk' was inspired by old leather top writing desks. He wanted to create a modern version, that offered a lighter appeal, far removed from the bulky aesthetic of the desks he was inspired by. Creating products that are lightweight 'that can be flat packed for ease of transport are important considerations for today's market' he explains, and formed the base of his brief, 'how to make a desk that fits the young professional's needs while continuing to deliver that feel[ing] of power and beauty'.

Leather stretches between the steel framing of the desk, and also forms a sophisticated cord tray, where messy cords can be concealed in style.

To view more of Chris' work go here.

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Leading a team of architectural graduates at Warren and Mahoney, architect Barrington Gohns seeks to explore the use of technology and art within architectural design. Having worked across numerous projects including fashion shows for fashion brand Stolen Girlfriends Club, along with various other creative and visual based installations, he is currently establishing a workshop and studio on the cusp of Grey Lynn and Ponsonby.

His 'Cantilever chair' made from sand cast aluminium, stainless steel, leather and black zinc plated mild steel, enables the user to hover about the floor plane in a free-floating seat. One of the main considerations he took on board with this design was creating a piece of furniture that could withstand the test of time both aesthetically and materially. The cast aluminium core of the seat is non-corrosive and designed to withstand the elements.

The user is able to adjust the angle of the seat by slotting the stainless steel bars which the leather seat hangs off, in and out of cavities, which changes the slack of the chair and the angle the user sits on.

To counter balance the weight of the user, Gohns uses several 18 kilogram weights that can be slotted into the back of the chair, which gives the user the ability to move the chair around without the weights, and then finish the installing process by putting the weights in place (which can then be removed whenever desired).

To contact Barrington you can email him.

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After completing a Bachelor of Design (3D and Object) at Unitec in 2009, Tim Webber went on to pursue several internships, including one with industry heavyweight David Trubridge. His personal studio, Tim Webber Design was established not long after finishing university and since its inception 20 products have been developed and brought to market. Currently, Webber has 5 stockists throughout New Zealand and has big ambitions to pursue the Australian market. Citing influences such as Tom Dixon and Benjamin Hubert, he is looking forward to pushing NZ design out to the global market.

The slender and sleek Ample pendant is made from hand turned Pacific Rimu with a spun aluminium light shade which is then powder-coated in a satin black or white. The cable is nestled inside a woven flex sleeve, providing options for contrasting colours for the purchaser. The light is part of Webber's WM series which delves into the juxtaposition of wood and metal. Suitable for a variety of spaces - a neat line above a bar, or in a cluster in larger commercial spaces - the light is extremely versatile.

Utilising the top manufacturers in New Zealand, the Y Stool by Tim Webber is constructed from quality and lasting materials. Mixing mig and tig welded steel leg sections and footrests and American Ash turned legs, further demonstrates Webber's exploration into the relationship between wood and metal - the two most common materials used in furniture design. The powdercoat finish is available in six different colours allowing for a fun injection of colour in any environment.

View more of Tim's work here.

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Post graduating a Bachelor of Product Design in 2006, Christopher Metcalfe established his own design studio in order to produce products conceptualised during his studies. Currently he works for Essenze in Auckland as their design manager, where he is responsible for product development, branding, web design, brand development and external communications.

Metcalfe's entry; The Crane Light - an interactive desk lamp, is inspired by every young boy's fascination with cranes. To turn it on and off, the user is required to pull the cord at the end of the lamp. The counterweight will then bring the lamp back to its rest state. The transformer is hidden inside the weight, making clever use of its space.

 To view more of Christopher's work, go here.

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Benjamin Charles is no stranger to the design industry, having worked in the furniture manufacturing business for the last five years as a cabinet maker. He has had firsthand experience making some of the country's finest design pieces for local designers such as Simon James, David Trubridge and David Moreland, so it comes as little surprise that he's picked up a keen design sensibility along the way. From his own studio based in Tauranga he works on collaborative projects, bespoke commissions and now his own line of furniture under the name Benjamin Charles Design.

Benjamin's first entry, the low table with cast bronze legs, is a beautifully finished piece which has a deep long lasting quality to it. The single slab of NZ native Matai, has been burnished by hand to create a glassy finish and the dove tail joints hark back to old age forms of craftsmanship. The table requires no fixings so can easily be flat packed to ship.

Constructed from black Tawa, the lamp titled Puzzled, has been adapted from an old wooden puzzle and all the pieces can be dismantled. Benjamin's version houses a lightbulb as opposed to the original wooden ball, and three legs have been extended to create a stable base. It is a great conversational piece, with viewers often not able to put it down until they have solved the puzzle.

View more of Ben's work here.

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After studying and practicing architecture for a number of years, most notably for Fearon Hay architects, Sam Lennon went on to establish his own studio, aptly named THE LENNON PROJECT. As a small multidisciplinary practice, it focuses on juxtaposing materials and blurring the lines between architecture and interiors.Currently Sam resides in Hong Kong working on a range of projects from large scale events, interior fit-outs and installations for some well know clients including Lane Crawford, Phillip Lim 3.1, Hennessy and National Geographic.

The first of the three pieces that Sam has entered into the competition is the Trig coffee table. Consisting of a network of interlocking and intersecting triangular templates, the steel table creates a skeletal structure and a "functional piece of micro architecture".

Inspired by origami and folded forms, the Obtuse stool and Acute chair are geometric structures, with the aim of making the most efficient use of a sheet of steel. The stool is made from two pieces of folded sheet steel, the chair from three and both achieve the maximum amount of folds possible and the minimum amount of welded joints.

Sam's third piece, The Inverted Cube, was conceived from the idea of using standard 30mm steel angles in reverse to create simple forms. The cube is part of an 'Inverted' series, consisting of a small side table, coffee table and tall side table.

 To view more of Sam's work, go here.

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Incubator entrant Scott Facer completed a Bachelor of Design at Unitec in 2007 , focusing on 3D objects. Upon graduation he was accepted into the now defunct Roger Bateman 'Creative Industries Incubator Project'. Currently Facer works at Katalog, a designer furniture and architectural hardware retailer in Auckland, giving him an opportunity to gain exposure to the commercial side of the design industry.

In terms of influences, his choices vary, however he always returns to modernist values, and favours pieces that are made to last lifetimes. The simplicity of material and construction are fundamental in the design and production process, as well as the intention to minimise waste and the use of sustainable materials.

Facer's entry, a lamp titled  '­­­10˚', leans forward, as the name suggests, at a degree of 10. The angle allows the lamp to be positioned behind a chair and lean over the sitter providing them with sufficient lighting. Constructed from American ash, and finished with a simple non toxic wax, not only does the light look great, but it is also made from sustainable materials. The 3 components of the lamp - the crossed base, lampshade, and main stand are joined by an alan key bolt allowing for easy deconstruction for shipping.

See more of Scott's design here.

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Currently a designer and production manager for Simon James Design, David Moreland is a familiar face in the design scene in New Zealand. He began his career by studying 3-dimensional design at university, then going on to work with stalwart David Trubridge before settling here in Auckland. As well as producing limited edition pieces and one-off commissions, his furniture has also wound up in commercial projects nationwide like Air New Zealand, BNZ and Government House.

Moreland's entry, can be either a shelf or a sideboard by changing the set of perspex shelves used. Due to the material being a light gauge timber, a nice open space has been achieved within the piece and it can still be moved easily. The half lap joints create an attractive detailing effect as well as giving strength. The components are painted prior to assembly, allowing for unlimited colourway options. There is also the option of choosing a different coloured perspex, meaning that the pieces can be re invented for specific locations or clients needs. A smaller side table version constructed from 25mm x 25mm machined oak is also available. 

 You can see more of David's work here.

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