Adam Goodrum

Known for his distinct Australian style and ability to combine functionality with unique design aesthetics, Adam Goodrum crafts furniture, products and collectibles from his Sydney studio.

Each of Adam’s designs involves a transformative process where materials are recast in a way to create not just a piece of furniture or a beautiful object, but an artwork in itself. He feels most creative at his workspace in Waterloo, where he works independently and on his other practice, Adam&Arthur, alongside French marquetry artisan Arthur Seigneur. “We share a vision to do things a little differently … we create pieces with flamboyance, patterns and colours that you wouldn’t normally see,” says Adam.

After high school, Adam discovered industrial design, which was the ideal combination of his love of both art and math.

When it comes to Adam’s inspiration to create, he reflects on the nuanced ways design makes our lives better. “Design can be functional and problem-solving, but at the other end, it can also provoke emotion or a thought.” His intuitive love for making was nurtured during his high school years thanks to a fortuitous pairing of teacher and student. “Off the back of her just being amazing, I realised I wanted to head in a fine arts direction.”

It wasn’t until later in life when Adam realised how his passions aligned with his creative path, and how he was going to get there. After high school, he discovered industrial design, which was the ideal combination of his love of both art and mathematics. He then went on to study the discipline at UTS in Sydney.

With each brief Adam receives, whether it is commercial or more creative, he tries to understand as much as he can about what it is he is trying to achieve.

With each brief Adam receives, whether it is commercial or more creative, he tries to understand as much as he can about what it is he is trying to achieve. “In the beginning I do a lot of thinking, trying to come up with the idea,” says Adam. For commercial projects, this involves investigating how to keep costs low, while for artistic projects it’s about trying to come up with an interesting idea in terms of form and materiality. “I start drawing … then I start making sculptures and then go into CAD, which is where it will be presented as an idea to the client.” Once it’s approved, he begins resolving the idea for production before working with makers to see what’s possible – creating different versions of prototypes until it’s fully resolved.

One of the more significant moments in Adam’s career so far has been his work for Judith Neilson, an Australian businesswoman and philanthropist with a passion for design. He has crafted various pieces for her home and offices that harmoniously combine innovation and function. Key pieces include a boardroom table, a 16-seater square dining table and a mirror and set of drawers for Judith’s bedroom.

“Design can be functional and problem-solving, but at the other end, it can also provoke emotion or a thought.”

Grounded in an unexpected merging of mathematics and art, Adam Goodrum’s designs are highly considered and innovative. “I love it when people have an emotional response to seeing something for the first time,” he says. Striving to elicit that response at every opportunity, the intention behind each design is twofold – practical and beautiful.

Filmed by The Local Project. Edited by HN Media. Production by The Local Project. Design by Adam Goodrum.