Angharad Summers

I write articles about design for Australian Wood Review magazine.

As an independent designer-maker I have completed numerous private and commercial projects, organised exhibitions and collaborated with others. Earlier this year I organised a solo exhibition for Berlin Design Week 2025. I am currently designing and making custom furniture for an art gallery in Berlin Mitte. This involves all aspects of the project from start to finish: measuring, designing, writing a quote, ordering material, building, installing and making any adjustments according to the client’s wishes.

As part of a collaborative team with the Visual Merchandiser and external contractors, I played a key role in the development and execution of new store openings across Germany. I was responsible for maintaining and enhancing the existing store network by repairing and building custom wood and metal displays. My role required strong project and time management skills, as I traveled to multiple sites to coordinate and execute various tasks. Unfortunately I was made redundant due to company insolvency.

Employed by temp agency W.I.R. I primarily worked for Hertis Tischlerei in Bohnsdorf, Berlin. Tasks included all aspects of furniture making (cutting using table saw, drop saw, panel saw, jigsaw and handsaw, routing, sanding, staining, painting, oiling, assembly), assisting with on-site measurements and installation and more. After this assignment I worked at Tischlerei Gericke, Tischlerei Bernd Aepfler, Tischlerei Raschke and Schneider Wood. All of this work was carried out in German.

Working within a small team I am responsible for quality checking, touch-ups (painting or sanding), finishing touches (e.g, adding rope details to armchairs), furniture making (using tools such as drills, rivet guns and glue guns) and packaging. Being a designer furniture company all work is completed to a very high standard. Occasionally I also help out in the powder coating and timber departments with prepping raw metals, cutting, sanding, oiling and finishing timber.

Assisting the lead designer with various design and product development tasks including product testing, creating fastenings, prototyping and modifying jigs for new products (using tools and machinery such as a jigsaw, grinder, drill, table saw and more), creating powder coating guides for factory staff using Adobe Illustrator, creating assembly guides and other documents using Adobe InDesign. Unfortunately, this position was dissolved until further notice due to a company re-structure.

Sole charge of a custom furniture store in Fitzroy. Making sales up to $5000. Tasks included serving customers, opening and closing the store, website management (Wordpress), Facebook management, website content and tickets, writing invoices and quotes, establishing and maintaining an Instagram account, training new staff, designing new business cards, organising delivery for customers, ordering items for the store, creating sales, magazine advertisements and more.

Permanent part-time role. Tasks included serving customers, website management (Shopify), social media management (Instagram, Facebook and Twitter), assembling furniture, photography, answering phones and delivering furniture to customers.

I consulted and advised on various design and product development projects with my knowledge of materials, construction methods and more. Carrying out research in various areas such as recycling, software and investment. Also using Adobe InDesign to create logos, product catalogues, business cards, website templates and more.

I worked on a project on the theme of minimalism, beginning with research and developing a solid conceptual direction. I then developed this idea and began designing a website using Adobe InDesign and InVision.

Transforming existing SolidWorks parts and assemblies into detailed technical drawings, including exploded and section views, for Sir Ray Avery's Lifepod design.

Tasks included sanding, spray painting, filing paperwork, painting, assembling furniture, packing orders, soap soaking, catalogue design (Adobe InDesign), social media management (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn via Hootsuite), website management (Shopify) and more.

Tasks included model making, assembling furniture, sketching, SolidWorks, sanding and oiling wood, sculpture installation, packing orders, moving stock, painting and more.

Product and Furniture Design major, completed a furniture design internship at Goldsworthy Studio (https://goldsworthystudio.com).