Now in its third year, Australian Design Review’s 30UNDER30 program has established itself as the leading mentorship and career development program in the architecture and design industry. The unique program brings together game-changers, industry leaders, practice founders, product manufacturers, suppliers and sponsors to celebrate and empower the young interior and product designers of the future.

Chris Hardy has built a diverse career over two and a half decades, spanning industries from commercial furniture design and LED lighting solutions to consumer bathroom products. He now serves as head of industrial design for global product for small kitchen appliances brand, Breville.

Australian Design Review (ADR) recently sat down with Hardy to discuss the importance of mentoring, building a community and his passion for design, art, creativity and people.

What motivated you to become involved with Australian Design Review’s 30UNDER30 Interior and Product Design stream for 2024/25 and share your expertise with the next generation? 

As a manager of potentially the most significant industrial design team in Australia, I understand the importance of the senior members of our team sharing their experiences with more junior members to help support them as they grow in their careers.

Was there anything like 30UNDER30 when you were just starting out in your field?

Not to my knowledge. I used to enter design competitions like Workshopped and Launchpad to surround myself with like-minded people, hoping to learn from their experiences in various ways.

Were there any other early-career opportunities that you recall as a turning point for you?

Reflecting on this has been interesting. I thought not initially, but I realised that becoming a lecturer in my early 30s opened the door to a large community. I haven’t worked as a lecturer in more than a decade, but I’m still in touch with many of the people from that time. On reflection, it has greatly impacted my career.

What is the best advice you have received in your career?

There are so many great pieces of advice that I’ve received over the years, one of which is that designers need to be confident in their opinions but hold them lightly. Great solutions come about by iterating through many ideas to solve the various problems uncovered while developing a concept. If a designer is inflexible, this can prevent extended exploration, which might leave an incredible avenue unexplored.

How important is it for designers to build a community of industry peers and mentors?

A healthy community is essential in terms of providing opportunities to enhance individual growth through networking and collaboration. Creating a forum where people can easily share their experiences is also critical to helping individuals feel supported, not just technically, but emotionally too. Design can be a challenging profession on occasion, and being able to seek advice from like-minded people with similar experiences can be incredibly valuable.

What do you notice about young designers you have worked with that makes them different from generations before?

There are two areas in which I’ve noticed significant shifts in my time in my profession. Global forces have influenced both.

The potentially negative impact of the industrial design profession related to mass production was very much a concern when I graduated from university (and it still is). That said, the last two decades have seen a significant shift in the emphasis on sustainability principles across  various design professions. Thankfully, this shift is very evident in the attitudes of young designers of today.

The second area relates to the fact that an incredibly robust digital proficiency has become increasingly evident over the 33 years I’ve been studying design and working as a designer. Digital tools available to design professions today are incredibly powerful, and the current digital native generation eagerly navigates them with ease to great effect.

What will you be looking for when you are judging the entries into this stream?

I’ve learned over the years that you need to be passionate about your chosen field if you want a successful career as a designer. I’ll be looking for applications that illustrate how people think and set themselves apart in terms of originality and stretch.

As well as being a judge of 30UNDER30, you will also mentor the selected cohort. What do you hope to gain from mentoring the 30UNDER30?

All I want to gain from this experience is the satisfaction that I may have helped some people to accelerate their careers.

Australian Design Review’s 30UNDER30 Interior and Product Designers stream is brought to you by major sponsor Neolith, alongside gold partners Interface, Miele and Tongue & Groove. The program is supported by practice partners Arent&Pyke, BVN, Billard Leece Partnership, Cera Stribley, COX Architecture, Hassell, HDR, Richards Stanisich, Rothelowman, SJB and Williams Burton Leopardi.

Check out the program here!

For information and entry criteria for the 30UNDER30 Interior and Product Design stream in 2024/2025, visit the website.

Lead image: Creatista Pro prototype in clay.

Images provided.