Objects of Desire: by George Simons, Jr.

George Simons, Jr., is an architect, product designer and personal friend. He is currently a principal at nbbj and 1:1 in Seattle, Washington. In George’s brilliant career, he has hung his hat at Ideo (Studio Leader) and Steelcase (in charge of Future Design). He designs all kinds of things – both for work as well as fun. He likes to wear black, but has a mostly white house. Best of all, he’s a really nice guy.

I asked George to contribute to my casual (yet also brilliant) series on Objects of Desire. I’m wondering what my fellow designers, and other creative thinkers, tip their hats to. What is beautiful? What is so perfectly designed that our eyes glaze over when we think about or look at them? Here is George’s reply.

Holtey Classic Hand Plane

“I do not own a Holtey as they cost upwards of $8000, yes that is thousands. I love the fact that this guy in a tiny town in the UK spends his life making the finest of objects that look back to a day when woodworking was a hand-based craft. He has taken an object that is simple in concept, but extremely complex in its use and performance requirements, and engineered them to levels of artwork, built to the exacting tolerances of a Ferrari engine.

Tensioning Strap

This is simply a tensioning strap [kind of like a bungie cord - but more professional] that is beautifully executed and to be enjoyed as an object unto itself. Too bad somebody had to invent the coil spring, nylon strapping, and ratcheting buckles. Oh yeah, I love the chrome!

Paul Smith Shoes

I love these for many reasons – the quality of material, sewing, craft, old world batch dying, fit and the fact that somehow they, from day one, seem to have a history. But mostly, I really enjoy the fact that Paul Smith does two things that others do not. First, he often decorates the inside of the shoe, which to me is like having my own personal and hidden piece of art. This also makes the shoes enjoyable even when they’re laying in my closet. Second, his shoes are often asymmetrical in some detail.

Thanks, George! Isn’t it interesting to see what different people drool over? I would never choose a tension strap. But I see why George likes this one.

What’s on your list?