SubscribeSign In
Collection by Aaron Britt

Rich Brilliant Willing

When Senior Editor Aaron Britt was at Design Miami in December, he met the three RISD chaps behind the young industrial design firm Rich Brilliant Willing. Theo Richardson, Charles Brill, and Alex Williams (get it?) have been hard at it in New York City for a couple years now, and looked all too happy to be on the town in Miami's balmy excuse for winter. They met up at a show at the Cappellini gallery, wandered around Design Miami for a bit, and then arranged to have a beer the next day. Though he could hardly recount the quips and barbs of the collective Rich Brilliant Willing mind, Britt did put a few questions to them. Here he presents what they had to say, in addition to this slideshow of their work.

Ideal working environment?Anywhere with our thinking tools, our studio is great. -TheoA round table. -CharlesLucky break?I hope we still get one. -TheoDream commission?Unlimited budget. -CharlesTo design outside our niche, with bigger audiences. -TheoHero?Tiger Woods (just kidding). -TheoAnti-hero?Tiger Woods. -TheoIrritating buzzword?Collab. -AlexHighest compliment?"I think your on to something...." -CharlesWe haven't yet reached our potential. -TheoA book?The Kindle. -TheoBlink. -AlexA film?The Road. -TheoAn album?"Warm Heart of Africa" by Very Best. -TheoEureka moment?There's still some beer in here! -AlexWorst ever idea?Not being Warren Buffet. -AlexBest advice?Stick to your guns. -TheoWhen not designing?Sleeping. -AlexBest seat in the house?Near the window. -TheoNear the food. -CharlesI wish I had?A pet piglet. -TheoA pet piglet with a leather police cap. -CharlesLooking forward to?My first electric vehicle, my first commercial space flight. -Alex

View 14 Photos
Modeled on the simplicity of a Shaker chair, Rich Brilliant Willing's Dining Chair from 2009 brings a kind of clear simplicity of form and materials to a classic shape.
Modeled on the simplicity of a Shaker chair, Rich Brilliant Willing's Dining Chair from 2009 brings a kind of clear simplicity of form and materials to a classic shape.
The Excel floor lamp comes flat-packed and used two CFL bulbs.
The Excel floor lamp comes flat-packed and used two CFL bulbs.
Here is the Excel in a different set of colors for a more playful interior.
Here is the Excel in a different set of colors for a more playful interior.
A series of rods, dowels and a drum shade make up the guts and the goodness of Rich Brilliant Willing's design.
A series of rods, dowels and a drum shade make up the guts and the goodness of Rich Brilliant Willing's design.
The Matryoshka series is defined by overlapping wooden slats, as though paint had dripped down the side of this end table, drying in rectangular globs.
The Matryoshka series is defined by overlapping wooden slats, as though paint had dripped down the side of this end table, drying in rectangular globs.
The Newtility line from Rich Brilliant Willing offers not just the functionality of a lamp, but a spot to rest a glass of water, and a place to plug in that perpetually-dying cell phone.
The Newtility line from Rich Brilliant Willing offers not just the functionality of a lamp, but a spot to rest a glass of water, and a place to plug in that perpetually-dying cell phone.
The smallest of the lot, this wall-mounted light and plug is due out in 2010.
The smallest of the lot, this wall-mounted light and plug is due out in 2010.
Taking their approach to a bit of packaging design, here is Rich Brilliant Willing's 2009 foray into Scandinavian liquor. Linie is a Norwegian producer of aquavit which hopes to penetrate the American market with the little-drunk spirit.
Taking their approach to a bit of packaging design, here is Rich Brilliant Willing's 2009 foray into Scandinavian liquor. Linie is a Norwegian producer of aquavit which hopes to penetrate the American market with the little-drunk spirit.
Should your cabinet of curiosities lack an illuminated crystal formation, this 2008 Table Chandelier for Swarovski will surely brighten your Fortress of Solitude.
Should your cabinet of curiosities lack an illuminated crystal formation, this 2008 Table Chandelier for Swarovski will surely brighten your Fortress of Solitude.