Addition Studio (formerly known as Page Thirty Three) is run by creative director Ryan Hanrahan who studied fine arts before gradually sidestepping into furniture and object design.

Hanrahan is still a prolific graphic and visual artist and his background in the arts means Ryan brings a unique perspective to the furniture, wellness and object design genres. His sketch books are filled daily with free-flowing forms that drift from graphic, to object, to sculpture. He is a skilled daydreamer, avid surfer, ocean swimmer and meditator. He is obsessed with health, wellness and the art of daily rituals.

1. Tell us about your designs and the process involved. How do your designs usually evolve?

Our design process always starts with sketches and stories. We like to envision whole spaces that include everything from oil diffusers to furniture. From there we sketch and re-sketch ideas, then start to split them into our collections. Some ideas are retail focused and we put a lot of time into refining the design, production and packaging; while others are experimental pieces that we have fun with and create just in limited editions.

Totem Lamp by Addition Studio.

2. How do you feel about the replica industry in Australia and how has it affected your designs?

The replica industry is rife in Australia, and it has had a massive effect on our company. The problem with the replica industry is that it stops small Australian businesses from becoming larger businesses. Besides the fact that it is tantamount to stealing, I think this is a major flaw that the Australian Government misses. They openly want to support big business, and big business models, but they do not realise that they are actually restricting new businesses from emerging. This is because as soon as a designer comes up with a new design that starts to become popular, then the larger businesses that create production largely offshore copy these products and squash the inventor. It is a soul-destroying process that too many Australian designers are having to go through at the moment.

3. What are your hopes for the future of design in Australia?

With the evolution of artificial intelligence and 3D printing, I hope that manufacturing costs are reduced in Australia over the next decade. This will make us more competitive on a global scale.

http://www.additionstudio.com/

WRITTEN BY HouseLab