john tree published by daylon hicks
When looking at how design is conducted today, the level of detail that John Tree brings to his projects feels truly unmatched. Based in London, his work reflects a refined, pared-back approach both visually and functionally where simplicity is never superficial but the result of rigorous thinking and engineering.
With a forward-thinking mindset and a continual desire to push his craft further, Tree has collaborated with global brands such as Motorola and Hydro. His achievements include receiving the prestigious iF Design Award, the Red Dot Design Award, and a Gold Good Design Award in Japan. He has also been selected for the Millennium Products and has work held in the permanent collection of Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).
His personal projects is where his design philosophy becomes most evident. Pieces such as the Annex Table, Billet Chair, Hoop Lamp, and Truss Chair showcase his meticulous attention to material and structure.
The Billet Chair further illustrates his engagement with industrial processes and material exploration. Drawing inspiration from solid metal billets, the chair celebrates strength and integrity while maintaining an unexpected sense of elegance. In contrast, the Hoop Lamp explores lightness and spatial interaction. Defined by its circular geometry, the lamp creates a continuous line that appears almost to float within a space. The Truss Chair perhaps most clearly reveals Tree’s structural curiosity. Inspired by architectural truss systems, the chair openly expresses its framework rather than concealing it. Each component has a clear purpose, creating a visual rhythm through tension and compression.
In a time where visual noise often dominates, his approach as a designer stands as a reminder that true innovation lies in refinement. His designs are not only aesthetically resolved but intellectually considered, revealing the complexity behind what appears effortless.