Who are we
In 2011 industrial designers Rebecca Asquith and Tim Wigmore teamed up to exhibit their latest designs in Milan, Italy, under a new brand: Designtree. Combining their talents and strengths the business has expanded into a nimble design team with strong networks of high quality suppliers and retailers.
What we do
We design high end furniture and lighting products with care and attention to detail searching for the smoothest function, sensuous materials and the most talented local manufacturers to help us produce our designs. All of our products are made here in New Zealand.
Who we work with
Designtree is excited to be working with some great companies and clients to help realise meaningful, functional and beautiful objects.
Meet the team
Rebecca Asquith
Growing up in Waitara, a sleepy coastal village in Taranaki, Rebecca developed a love of nature and a deep respect for the environment. She draws inspiration from her Te Atiawa roots (North Taranaki Maori Tribe) and from the forms and processes of nature.
As a passionate environmental advocate and a powerful creative force, Rebecca has a host of national and international exhibitions behind her and is helping to shape a new environmental awareness and design sensibility through her furniture and lighting design and art work.
Tim Wigmore
I grew up in urban Auckland where I was a nerd – obsessed by models, science fiction and music. Still a nerd, I’m deeply into making stuff and I’m excited to be exploring and pushing the boundaries of design.
Along with our shared enthusiasm for making cool stuff is a deep concern for what happens to this cool stuff further down the track. Our theory is that stuff is really only cool if it’s been thought about as a part of our entire eco-system – where and who it comes from, how it gets used and where it might end up. Far from limiting, this theory has inspired us to make stuff that other people have also recognised as cool. Hopefully our theory is contagious.
Past and present Design Interns:
Maud Timmermans, Louis Rose, Daniel Ojeda, Annabelle Nichols, James Irvine, Julie Conrad, Patrick Kaczmarek
Design Awards
2016 - Silver Winner (Frankie Pendant) - Best Design Awards, New Zealand
2016 - Bronze Winner (Nectar Lampshade) - Best Design Awards, New Zealand
2014 - The W Hotel Bangkok Award (Frankie Collection) - Bangkok, Thailand
2014 - Gold Winner (Chamfer Stool) - Best Design Awards, New Zealand
2012 - Winner of Best Commercial Product (Nectar Lampshade) - Australian International Furniture Fair, Sydney
2012 - Winner of Best Green Product (Nectar Lampshade) - Australian International Furniture Fair, Sydney
Where you can see our work
2017 - Location: Apotheke Belp Switzerland. Product: Pil Lamp. Project Architect: Global Shop Design GmbH
2016 - Location: Shopify Otta Canada. Product: Frankie Pendant. Retailer: Darktools. Project architect: Linebox Studio.
2016 - Location: Trademe Headquarters New Zealand. Product: Frankie Pendant. Project Architect: Herriot Melhuish O'Neill Architects
2016 - Location: Veterinary Services New Zealand. Product: Nectar Large Half. Retailer: Roomie. Project Architect: Client
2015 - Location: Icebreaker Headquarters New Zealand. Product: Frankie Pendant. Project Architect: Jasmax
2015 - Location: Massey University New Zealand. Product: Frankie Pendant. Project Architect: Athfield Architects
Exhibitions
2015 - March - Four on the Floor - Expressions Gallery, Upper Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand.
2015 - February - Modern Revivals - The Dowse Art Museum, Wellington, New Zealand.
2014 - October - Asia Talents - Bangkok, Thailand.
2014 - September - Asia Talents 10 Eco Designers - Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok, Thailand.
2014 - June - Home Sweet Home - NZ Academy of Fine Arts, Wellington, New Zealand.
2014 - May - The Design Show - 30 Upstairs Gallery, Wellington, New Zealand.
2013 - May - ICFF - New York, USA.
2012 - September - Kete - New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, Wellington, New Zealand.
2012 - July - Designmade - Wellington, New Zealand.
2012 - February - The Edge - Australian International Furniture Fair, Sydney, Australia.
2011 - May - Why Milan? - Objectspace, Auckland, New Zealand.
2011 - April - Salone Satellite - Milan Furniture Fair, Milan, Italy.