Sydney based Industrial Designer, Artist, Speaker and Creative Director.
Andrew is the Founder and Director of Vert Industrial Design House in Sydney. For over 20 years, he has led the development of products from handcrafted pieces to mass-produced designs. Constantly searching for meaning and value in design, Andrew’s approach considers human connection. His experimental work in the studio has led to several innovations including the development of sustainable materials made from waste such as the iconic HuskeeCup. Since 2010, he has been director of Best Practice Plastics, specialists in injection moulding of sustainable materials and working with clients like Unilever, Nestle, Mecca Brands, Sydney Water and more. Simpson’s work has been exhibited in Australia, Europe, North America and Asia. He mentors emerging designers and lecturers and teaches at numerous Australian educational institutions, as well as providing public lectures, judging of national and international design awards and board advisory. Andrew is an advocate of design practice and leadership, serving as CEO of Design Declares Australia.
Sustainability
Materials Research
Strategic Product Development
Circularity
Sustainability Materials Research Strategic Product Development Circularity
Major Projects
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Founder / Director since 2005.
Vert Design is a Sydney-based studio and design house consisted of a dynamic team of designers who combine the experience of a commercial design practice with the innovation of a small production house. The studio operates as a testing ground for new concepts and self-initiated experimentation, as well as offering design concepts, modelling, prototyping and manufacturing to clients from niche boutique brands, to multinational organisations.
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Founder.
A business that developed a complex liquid delivery system involving nematics, hydraulics, mechanics and electronics.
Managed investors, directors, share holders and university sectors. Failed commercialisation, although successfully bought it through liquidation.
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Boat Builder, Co-Founder and Director, since 2010.
‘The perfect DIY project for the aspiring legend’.
The Balmain Boat Company creates flat-packed, DIY projects to build your own boat. The designs of the rowboats and sailboats have been digitised, and the construction process simplified. The intention has always been to lend dignity to time spent on the seas and to make boat building more accessible. They can be shipped anywhere in the world, and put together by anyone who can use a hammer.
The Balmain Boat Company sells rowboats and sailboats across Australia and also internationally - as diverse as Taiwan, the Middle East and the UK. They have received some well-deserved attention from media outlets like the Wall Street Journal, Vogue Living and GQ.
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Co-Founder and Director, since 2010.
Best Practice Plastics are specialists in the injection moulding of sustainable materials. They are an environmentally sustainable plastics processor who manufacture using non-petrochemical resources and a range of post consumer/ recycled plastics. Best Practice Plastics have an in-house team of expert designers who specialise in all aspects of sustainable design and can provide specialty design services to realise any project, big or small. They work with clients to asses the life cycle impact of their project on the environment and how to reduce detrimental impact. In addition to complete design services, we can also take existing designs straight to the moulding process.
Clients include Unilever, Nestle, Mecca Cosmetics, Sydney Water and more.
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Co-Founder and Director since 2023.
Delivering an adaptive re-use project that looks specifically at waste within the building and construction industry.
Back-Up is the weaving of two projects - a shared mission to create an improved handle design that makes shovelling more effortless and prevents injury, while harnessing the untapped potential of discarded plastics from hard hats that would otherwise end up in landfill.
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Supercyclers was founded by designer and curator Sarah K in order to address and elevate the issues of sustainability in design and to focus on those creating original sustainable solutions in design thinking while still staying strong on aesthetics.
Andrews Product Collaborations with Supercyclers include: Junk Press, HuskeeCup, Marine Debris Door Knobs and Marine Debris Bento Box.
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Founder and Director.
Bestaxx was an abattoir business that sold over 33 million products every year for 6 years locally and Internationally into the meat and livestock industry. Winner of Good Design Awards.
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Karen Kong who has designed the Sesura - a fully adjustable orchestral chair. Andrew is assisting to commercialise the Sesura with King Furniture.
Read more with Karen Kong here.
More info coming soon.
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2018 Research Fellow.
Project: The Bob and June Prickett Churchill Fellowship to gain knowledge of glass mould making for art, craft and industrial production - across Japan, Mexico, Sweden and Finland.
Learn more.
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Co-Founder and Director, 2023
Bolo are on a mission to reduce single use plastics and enhance opportunities in a circular economy. The creation of design lead bowls that are functional, elegant and live within a closed loop cycle.
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Andrew is an avid sailer.
Offshore Experience:
Sydney > Gold Coast x 12, Category 2, 2020-2023, Bowman
Sydney > Hobart Category 1, 2012-2023, Bowman
Hamilton Island Race Week x 9, 2014-2023, Bowman
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Co-Founder and Principal Designer, since 2022.
Hyperion creates products that supports the boldness of musicians / performers.
More info coming soon.
“People somehow assume that designers are creative genius’ and we pull creations out of our brain because of some unique inspiration, but reality is design is work and what we’re good at is creating a process which allows us to work through complex problems and produce meaningful outcomes.”
—Andrew Simpson