Laurie Wiid van Heerden established his studio, Wiid Design, in Cape Town in 2013. Often working collaboratively with other artists and across a wide variety of materials, Laurie’s product range spans furniture, lighting, tableware and collectible objects that combine specialist manufacturing with handcrafting.

The studio has become well-known for its innovative use of cork in high-end product design, architecture and large-scale production manufacturing. Recognised as an African “ambassador” for cork by Portuguese producer Amorim, Laurie has pushed the boundaries of the material to achieve a number of world “firsts” – including the world’s largest cork pendant light and cork cabinet, both of which have been exhibited by Southern Guild.

Laurie Wiid’s work comes from a conceptual and artistic environment, an angle on various topics of contemporary culture, with a focus on traditional handcrafting in combination with avant-garde techniques. By combining handcrafting and specialist techniques, Wiid transforms materials into life-enriching and durable objet d’art.

Born in Cape Town in 1987, Laurie opted for a hands-on approach to studying design and manufacturing. He apprenticed to Otto du Plessis and Charles Haupt at Bronze Age Foundry as well as to a carpenter for three years, and from 2009 to 2013 he worked closely with leading South African sculptor Wim Botha as his assistant. During this time, he started designing and manufacturing his own ceramics and furniture and collaborating with fellow creatives.

The first in his ongoing series of one-off benches, Untitled (After W.B.), is based on the techniques he learned while working for Botha. A tribute to his mentor and an exploration of Laurie’s love for working with timber, the carefully constructed bench seat comprises of a number of faceted and angular planes that form a controlled point or climax.

True to his polymathic approach to manufacturing, Laurie has since gone on to design a number of other benches in various materials, including terrazzo, Finnish Birch ply, concrete, salvaged antique timber beams, and mild steel finished with automotive paint. He has collaborated with the artist Lionel Smit and designer / illustrator Atang Tshikare on the latter and has enjoyed a long-running working relationship with Ceramic Matters to produce lavishly glazed tiled furniture.

Laurie won the Maker to Market Award At the 2013 Design Foundation Awards for his strong understanding of the value of brand-building and identity, marketing, consumer interaction and packaging. He won the Conde Nast House & Garden Award for production excellence in South African design at 100% Design South Africa in 2014 and the Best Lighting Design Award at the same event a year later. He was also recognized by the Arts & Culture Trust with its ImpACT Award in 2015 and by BRAVE / Rock Girl, a charity organisation, with the 2017 Brave Award for his support of its work to create safe spaces for girls. In 2019 Laurie in collaboration with Ceramic Matters won the Best Lighting Design Award at 100% Design South Africa. He has exhibited at 100% Design in London, Design Days Dubai, Design Miami/ Basel and Design Miami.

Laurie Wiid van Heerden
Founder, Wiid Design Original (Pty) Ltd

Laurie Wiid van Heerden

As a self-taught furniture and product designer, Laurie has been reimagining wood, ceramic, glass, steel, terrazzo, and of course, cork for more than a decade under the auspices of Wiid Design. His studio, showroom and factory in Cape Town’s Observatory is a place where Laurie’s ideas take form; from giant cork pendants that draw the eye upward to hand-blown amber glass tumblers designed to cradle perfectly in the palm of one’s hand or the raw glamour of handmade ceramic tabletops glazed to perfection in an ombré of autumnal shades. It’s a space resplendent in Laurie’s love of art, colour and collectables. ‘The essence of what we do at Wiid centres around a passion for materials and the tradition of craft, a curiosity for experimentation and revealing the artisanal soul and intimacy of the handmade,’ he explains. Laurie’s polymathic approach means that he’s also open to collaboration. ‘For me, the power of the collective means fewer boundaries, more opportunity and learnings and the excitement of building momentum together as a creative community. As a collector of unusual walking sticks, fossils, bones, shells and driftwood since childhood, his obsession with natural history is evident in the life-size tortoise shells and exquisite hyena skulls that are hand carved from solid timber and cork, respectively. As is his sensorial touch, evident in an impressive collection of bespoke products and designs that explore the tension between the natural and man-made and put him at the intersection between art and design. ‘Design to me is not just about function; it’s about how it makes you feel,’ says Laurie. ‘So, instead of a piece of cork, a lump of terrazzo, or a dollop of clay, I try to use these materials to convey a feeling in all who come across them. That feeling, for me, is a successful design.’

Kevin Michael Reinders

If we ever needed evidence that creativity is a numbers game, we need to look no further than Kevin. For although he is a chartered accountant with a decade of experience in the financial services industry, Dutch-born Kevin is also responsible for a thriving new arm of the Wiid business, the manufacturing of ceramics. ‘Technically I do not have a defined role at Wiid, but I oversee all financial, compliance and administration functions,’ says Kevin, whose calm, unruffled demeanour compliments Laurie’s energetic dynamism. ‘And I ensure that Wiid is a financially sound and sustainable business by measuring the performance of the business against expectations and budgets as well as determining and implementing the company’s strategic objectives.’ He readily admits that the more exciting part of his job entails experimenting with new glazes and glaze application techniques. ‘I love the diversity of working here. Not being confined to working with numbers and spreadsheets solely and being able to get my hands dirty from time to time gives me headspace.’ For Kevin, every day is different from making ceramic products to glazing tiles or painting wall panels. As the business grows from strength to strength under his watchful eye, he’s also keen to learn more about every aspect of the business. ‘At some point, I’d like to be able to master the 3D modelling programmes that we use here, I’m quite fascinated by that. ‘For the first time I have someone that can assist me at an executive level,’ says Laurie. ‘Kevin understands the vision of the business and has a passion for what we have created. As a highly intelligent individual he provides valuable input on various aspect of the business that is crucial for our growth. It’s allowed me the time to focus on new things.’

Dylan Human

‘Unpretentious, quietly confident and technically exacting’ is how Laurie describes Wiid’s senior designer Dylan. A passionate creator and problem-solver, Dylan has a leadership role in the team and is responsible for the conceptualization and ideation stages of all projects. This  has him collaborating with all team members and clients to generate creative, functional and beautiful world-class pieces. ‘I started out designing in China where I was able to learn a lot about scale and the technical side of things and how they are made. This prepared me for the unique and interesting designs we create here on a daily basis,’ he says. ‘Dylan’s design skills and software know-how turn great ideas into incredible outcomes that align with the aesthetics and design language at Wiid’, says Laurie. Dylan’s role involves managing projects from inception to completion, and ensuring that design standards are consistently met. ‘He has a talent for problem-solving and his understanding and quick assimilation of highly technical programmes make him an invaluable member of the team at Wiid Design,’ says Laurie.

Marcel Stevens

The newest member of Wiid’s growing design studio and our junior designer, Marcel joined Wiid after doing a stint as an intern, post his industrial design studies. ‘He’s keen, curious, talented and a quick learner,’ says Laurie. Working in close collaboration with the talented design team at Wiid, Marcel assists in bringing concepts to life through renders, 3D models, and rapid prototyping to help effectively visualise the team’s ideas. Researching materials, finishes, and manufacturing techniques are a key aspect of his role, to ensure that designs are both practical and aesthetic. He supports the entire design process from the initial concept to prototype development and final production. ‘I enjoy design reviews, brainstorming sessions and client meetings as they help me to refine concepts while keeping my eye on the pulse of industry trends, and emerging technologies. Design innovations also fuel my passion.’ Marcel cites the balance of digital design work, hands-on prototyping and manufacturing as the most exciting aspects of his job. The niche market within which we work means that every project I work on is unique and interesting while the creative atmosphere in the studio and the passion of my colleagues is hugely fulfilling.’

Alison Kuzma

‘In the short time that Alison has been with Wiid Design, the ease with which she has assimilated herself to the daily operations of our busy design studio and factory has been remarkable,’ says Laurie. With a background in the restaurant industry where she fine-tuned her multi-tasking skills and developed a passion for customer service, Alison now juggles the roles of personal assistant, administrator and project manager with ease. Taking on a broad variety of tasks from managing production schedules to organising meetings, handling accounts administration, supporting the workshop team and handling customer orders and queries, her work ethic and proactive attitude, set her apart. ‘No two days are the same,’ she says. ‘I am constantly inspired by the team’s enthusiasm for problem-solving and their willingness to take on new projects, it keeps things exciting and dynamic.’ A stint in the corporate world as an Operations Supervisor and part-time work as a bookkeeper have given her the necessary quality control and financial skills, needed for this role too. ‘Wiid has an amazing company culture in that it feels very personal and its refreshing to be part of a such a committed team that under Laurie’s leadership works collectively to achieve high standards and incredible product.’

Brenda Charouma

For those of you who have visited us at the Wiid Design Studio and workshop, you’ll know that despite the heavy-duty work that happens here, our building is always spick and span. We give all the credit to Brenda, whose unerring eye and attention to detail keeps it looking good 24/7. ‘Most people would be intimidated with cleaning a place like this,’ laughs Laurie. ‘Not Brenda. She’s takes her job seriously and is super hard-working, while gently ensuring that we all keep to her standards too.’ As a mother and wife, Zimbabwean-born Brenda is devoted to her family and treasures time spent with them. She cites the beautiful environment at Wiid as a highlight of her job. ‘I’m grateful to Laurie for he has not only taught me about having systems in place in order for things to run smoothly but he has also opened my eyes to the beauty of everyday things.’

Samkelo Ntoba

As the longest serving member of the Wiid Manufacturing team, Samkelo’s love of working with his hands, his fascination for the process of design and his curiosity with the way things work, has made him an invaluable member of the team. ‘In the early days, Sam and I made everything ourselves,’ says Laurie. ‘His loyalty, dependability and talent for solving problems made him my right-hand man in the factory, the self-same values that have earned him the respect of his peers in the production team.’ Samkelo credits his rural upbringing in the Eastern Cape for his love of beauty and appreciation for the materiality of things. ‘Although I wasn’t able to realize my dreams for a tertiary education, I have learnt so much here and take pride in passing on this knowledge and curiosity to my own children.’ Easy-going and optimistic, Samkelo’s dreams are aligned with that of Wiid.

Dumisani Chiota

As a sculptor, artist, mould-maker and carver extraordinaire, Zimbabwean-born Dumisani is a multi-disciplinary creative and key member of Wiid’s manufacturing team. ‘I grew up in a rural area near Harare where carving is a big part of our culture,’ says Dumi. Known for their individuality and brilliance of form, Zimbabwean’s tradition of sculpture transcends human language and Dumi’s ability to express himself through carving is remarkable. Dumi puts it down to fate that he had hardly been in South Africa a year, when a series of chance meetings brought him to the attention of Laurie who had been looking for skilled artisans for his team. The rest, as they say, is history. ‘Dumi’s gentle reserve and measured approach together with his incredible skill have made him a mentor for many in the tight-knit, production team. ‘I love what I do because it gives me expression, headspace and a livelihood. To be able to support my family and set an example to my kids is everything,’ he says, in his baritone voice. His ability to make magic across a variety of mediums from wood to bone and of course cork is what sets him apart. ‘He’s incredibly versatile,’ says Laurie. ‘I can give him anything from a hyena skull to a tortoise shell and he’ll produce a beautiful replica with a unique spin in no time.’ Dumi’s ability to see his creativity as an adventure means that he’s always up for a challenge and relishes the possibilities presented in a beautiful piece of wood or a chunk of cork.

Willard Mahleza

Described by Laurie as ‘a man of intuition, wily intelligence and green fingers’, Zimbabwean-born Willard is a stalwart member of the Wiid manufacturing team and one of the company’s first employees. A builder and electrician by trade who hails from Harare, Willard’s curiosity and hands-on approach to life has seen him work his way through various aspects of the production process at Wiid. ‘I’ve realized that I’m a details person and that I like to understand how things are made and why,’ he adds with his characteristic grin. While he’s now involved mostly with the ceramics and mould making; he’s also taken on responsibility for keeping the studio’s enviable collection of indoor plants and trees alive and flourishing. ‘Willard’s an incredibly dependable, can-do type of person,’ says Laurie. ‘And he’s got a sixth sense about things that I’ve come to rely upon.’ Citing the satisfaction of seeing products that he’s worked on through to the final installation, Willard admits that his interest in the design process has surprised him. ‘I love my work because it’s opened my eyes to my own talents. And because I get opportunities to learn in a place where my input is valued.’

Fortune Mabvuka

There’s a quiet confidence to Zimbabwean-born Fortune that seems fated by his birth name. Unassuming, gentle and with a happy disposition, Fortune may be a newcomer to the manufacturing side of the business but he’s settled in with ease. ‘I love my job and have learnt so much about cork and how clever nature is,’ he says. ‘I’m currently sanding, chopping, cleaning and finishing off products but I’m curious about everything and want to learn more.’ There’s a humility to Fortune that coupled with his confidence and the responsibility of his young family, makes him a committed and engaged member of the team. ‘He’s definitely one to watch,’ says Laurie. With his sights set on learning how to make the tortoise shell, dog and hyena skulls out of cork, as well as the newly launched ceramic fish; we’re looking forward to what Fortune will bring to the Wiid creative collective.‘

Joseph Madondo

Another newcomer to the business, Zimbabwean-born Joseph, who hails from Harare, works mostly with the chopping, sanding and assembling of cork in the manufacturing side of the business. ‘Joseph is calm, curious and with great attention to detail which is important for the work he does,’ says Laurie. ‘His interest in manufacturing and the way things work is obvious.’ While his dreams of becoming an engineer have been put aside for the moment, he’s relishing the opportunity to learn as much as he can from a hands-on perspective. ‘I never thought I would work in a place like this,’ he says with a shy smile. ‘I have learnt so much in such a short time and I appreciate that there are very clear systems in place, systems that focuses on the manufacturing process and ensuring safety in the workplace. This has really assisted me to become more confident.’ Joseph’s goal is to learn how to work on the computer numerical control (CNC) machine and in time to try his hand at carving with wood and cork. ‘I feel very lucky to work in this environment, it’s a calm and happy space and the team in the Wiid studio are like family to me.’

Sylvester Tabulo

‘I’ve always loved drawing, particularly cars, buses and trucks, in fact, I can draw pretty much anything except people,’ says Sylvester, who studied architectural drawing in his hometown of Harare in Zimbabwe. When he first came to South Africa, he worked in the construction industry as a front loader driver before getting a job with Wiid’s manufacturing team. ‘Sylvester is smart, ambitious and confident,’ says Laurie. ‘I have no doubt he will go far in whatever direction life takes him.’ Sylvester is a man with big dreams. Sylvester recently got his driver’s license which has further fuelled his interest in cars and driving. ‘I know my knowledge has a limit and so I want to learn as much as possible so that one day I can achieve my dream of starting my own transport company.’ In the meantime, he is interested in learning 3-D design drawings and how to hand carve under the mentorship of Dumi. ‘The brotherhood in the manufacturing studio, there is so much love, if I make a mistake, I know they will help me as a brother. That gives me confidence.’ says Sylvester.

Patrick Molamba

Zimbabwean-born Patrick is best summed up in three words: humour, positivity, and efficiency. ‘He’s got a twinkle in his eye that is contagious,’ says Laurie. ‘This together with his work ethic and his skill with cork makes him an important member of the Wiid manufacturing team. He not only understands how the material works but his speed, efficiency and skill are super-powers in our business.’ Having qualified with a certificate in architectural studies in his hometown of Mount Selinda, Patrick came to South Africa in search of a better life and in the process found a brotherhood of Zimbabweans at Wiid. ‘There’s a lot that we do here that resonates with the traditional crafts I was exposed to growing up in Zimbabwe,’ says Patrick. ‘I like it, it’s a good feeling, it feels like home.’ Job satisfaction for Patrick comes from seeing the process from concept through to the final product. ‘Installations are my favourite, I’m always curious to see where each product lands up.’ This curiosity extends to all aspects of production too. ‘In future, I’d like to try my hand at carving and working with ceramics, those are skills I’m keen to learn.’

Tanyaradzwa James

Although quite new to the Wiid manufacturing team, Zimbabwean-born Tanya as he’s affectionately known at Wiid is a happy-go-lucky kind of guy, who has made himself indispensable in a short period of time. ‘I glue, chop, sand and finish off all the cork products,’ say Tanya with pride. ‘Although I didn’t realize my dream of studying business management after school, I feel like I’m learning on the job, especially working in a small business such as this one. I’ve also discovered that I love to work with my hands.’ Tanya’s interest in every aspect of the business, including the packaging of products, makes him very capable and an all-rounder. ‘I like that the Wiid studio is calm, it’s a great place to work and I enjoy seeing what the human hand is capable of creating. In future, if I can, I’d like to try working with ceramics and learn how to carve, I know it will give me an enormous sense of achievement and to be able to show my family and in time my young daughter what I’ve made, will make me very proud.’

Sulu Mukaro

As one of the younger members of the Wiid manufacturing team, Zimbabwean-born Sulu brings his generation’s curiosity and interest in popular culture to the Wiid Studio. Music is his passion and he’s the one who starts the singing in the studio when production is running at pace. With a certificate in music studies, experience working as a chef and plans to launch his own clothing label, Sulu’s creative adaptability translates well within the production environment. ‘Sulu is cool, stylish and classy,’ says Laurie. ‘His creative sensitivity makes him a natural fit in the studio, while his big dreams are an inspiration to us all.’ Sulu’s role in the manufacturing team is primarily sanding, finishing and repairing cork products, but he’s set his sights on learning to carve under the mentorship of Dumi. ‘In all honesty, everything is interesting to me here and I really love what I do.’

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