The esteemed 10 recognises influential voices in the multidisciplinary design community in 2025. Criterion is based on approach, notable achievements and completed and anticipated projects.
This piece originally appeared in est magazine issue 55: ‘Faces of Design’.
Pattern
Founders Josh Cain & Lily Goodwin
Gadigal Country / Sydney, Australia
My design work is best summed up as:
Sumptuous minimalism.
What aspect of your work are people most curious about?
There seems to be a curiosity about our residential work; people are particularly interested in how others live.
What has recently challenged the way you think about design?
We love the boundary-pushing, genre-defying work of zero-waste designer and florist Joost Bakker. His tenacity is inspiring, and his enthusiasm is infectious.
What person, building, product or art piece has had a lasting impact on your work?
A visit to Japan some years ago has had an immeasurable influence. Not only from the esteemed architectural works by the likes of Tadao Ando, SANAA, Sou Fujimoto, and so many others, but we also sensed a deep appreciation for design and attention to detail across society broadly. From the elegant plating of a dish to a carefully decorated manhole cover on the street, beauty was everywhere.
The three words I would most like people to attribute to my work are:
Thoughtful, considered, inspiring.
What is the one piece of advice you would share with an emerging designer?
Try to find a balance of looking outward and inward to develop your unique ideas and sensibility, leaving you energised and inspired, not overwhelmed.
"Thoughtful, considered, inspiring"
– Founders Josh Cain & Lily Goodwin
Where do you go to appreciate exceptional design?
Teshima in Japan is a small island in the south, home to an incredible collection of sculptures and museums. The contrast of these incredible works against the sparsely populated coastal landscapes was striking. It was a memorable experience.
Something you want to see more of in 2025? And less of?
We want to see more of the exciting, original work emerging from Australia’s rich pool of design talent. When clients fully trust their design teams, unimaginably magical results can ensue. We would like to see a more sensible, considerate, and restrained approach to fit-outs that will only exist temporarily. We are excited to see dynamic, creative responses that inspire while significantly reducing waste.