Merril Design – Merril (Ford) Williams have been shortlisted for the Private Jet Design – Concept Award in The International Yacht & Aviation Awards 2021. Read more about Merril (Ford) Williams below:

Name: Merril (Ford) Williams

Company: Textron Aviation & Merril Design – Merril (Ford) Williams

Position within company: Industrial Designer

Website: Ford Williams

Tell us a little about your background in design:
I grew up in Mississippi in a bubble. It was probably a little weird for me to take such a big interest in sketching and painting in high school, but that was where I had talent. I ended up going to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Savannah Georgia on a scholarship where I thought I would become a car designer. While pursuing a degree in Industrial Design, I realized that becoming a car designer is basically impossible without getting a specialized degree. I ended up switching my focus to the interior of vehicles and I fell in love with the possibilities and experiences that come from all the products inside. In three SCAD Pros in which hand picked students collaborate with a Fortune 500 company for 10 weeks, I
worked with Samsung Think Tank Team, BMW Group, and Clayco. In between junior and senior year I landed an internship with Textron Aviation designing future interiors of their private jets. My eyes were
opened to the possibilities in the industry and I accepted an offer at the end of the internship. I have a dream job at Textron Aviation.

How would you describe your personal design style?
I love this question because I’ve really thought about it alot and want it to be my design philosophy. I want my design to create an immediate sense of serendipity. This feeling in which it just feels right almost to the point it can’t be explained. My design style tends to blend flowing organic and proportional geometric languages. The most important aspect of my design is creating everything together to make sure it all flows beautifully into one wholesome product. That is how you create an immediate sense of serendipity.

Where does your design inspiration come from?
Primarily Automotive Concept Cars. That area of design is on another level of freedom. Gorden Wagener and the Daimler Mercedes Design team are my biggest inspirations. They truly create new, unique products. Wagener’s Sensual Purity design philosophy is incredible. I draw most of my inspiration from them as well as architects like Bjarke and Zaha. Oh and
Pinterest.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
Minimal design without a doubt. Everyone is trying to remove as many lines as possible. Technology is changing everything. You could ultimately design the entire interior of a vehicle without a single button. And I think we will in the next year or two.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2021 and beyond.

1. Keep in clean and minimal.
2. Subtle use of color. Keep it neutral with a low-saturation color pop.
3. Texture. Suede, vintage leather, cloth, marble, displacement. Texture is key for visual interest in
   minimal design.
4. Sustainable Materials and Efficiency
5. Finally, PLANTS! Incorporate greenery whenever you can.

What was your favourite project to work on and why?
Precedent the 2035 Flying Yacht. It felt like the accumulation of everything I had learned and lived for at the time. Every single project, moment, thought, and conversation led to that project. There was nothing that mattered more to me in those 30 weeks than creating something entirely new. Everything I had went into that project. It’s more than just a new product. It’s a new experience. It’s me.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?
Also Precedent. The hardest part of the project was the sheer scale of it. I designed over 25 products in that one project. From ideating and sketching to modeling and rendering, I pushed my own limits. This looks like something you would see come out of a design studio. I knew what I wanted to do for the most part, I just had to do it.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?
Number one for me is music. I jam when I am working. Music is art, so it fits perfectly into my routine when creating. Second, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without pen and paper. That’s where my talent really shines through, but I am starting to sketch more digitally now.

How important are The International Yacht & Aviation Awards?
To me these awards are more than awards. They create standards. They identify who the leaders of design are. Those are two incredibly powerful characteristics. There isn’t really anything else out there for these unique categories of transportation, which are possibly the most luxurious and lavish forms of transportation in the world. These awards give credit where credit is due, to the designers of the future.

What projects are you currently working on?
I’m designing concept interiors of Textron Aviation’s private jets. Outside of that I am always sketching concept cars and crazy interiors just for fun. I also usually have a painting I’m working on.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
I want to continue to become the best designer I can be. Working at Textron Aviation is an amazing opportunity for me to grow and expand my talents. The people I work for here want to look towards the future and become even more prominent leaders not just in this industry but in the design world. I want to lead that wave. Everyday I am trying to get better at modeling and diversify my skills and the softwares I use. I try to live like tomorrow is five years away. What can I do today to make me a better person and designer?

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:

Your most treasured possession?
My Alfa Romeo Giulia. It’s the first car that I’ve personally purchased and it’s just absolutely gorgeous plus amazing to drive. I have always felt happiest in my car blasting music with the windows down.

Your favourite holiday destination?
I’m a spontaneous person. I change it up all the time. It could be
snowboarding in Colorado, going to the beach in Georgia, or traveling the world. I’ve visited over 20 different countries. Whatever it is though, I like to have friends or family with me.

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?
I love hostels, and specifically one in Lake Como, Italy with a ping pong table outside it. You meet the coolest people. P.F. Chang’s is my favorite restaurant. I get the Kung Pao Chicken every time. I have yet to discover my favorite bar. There’s another goal for me to accomplish in the next twelve months.

Your favourite book, film & song?
12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson and The
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams are my two favorite books. The first changed my life and the second made me laugh out loud. My favorite film could be any Marvel movie. They make incredibly exciting stuff that also makes you laugh. What could be better? My favorite song is Chasin’ You by Morgan Wallen. It’s just a beautiful song.

Your favourite food and drink?
It’s hard to beat spaghetti Bolognese with super meaty sauce. My
favorite drink will always be a margarita. I’ll drink it anytime, anywhere.

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
My ideal afternoon would be a quick trip to the gym, then go eat with my friends, and finally read myself to sleep.

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
Oh I would be a spy. Without a doubt that’s what I am in another world. I watch too many movies and read too many books dealing with spies I guess.

Merril Design – Merril (Ford) Williams have been shortlisted for the Private Jet Design – Concept Award in The International Yacht & Aviation Awards 2021.

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