Interview with Will Acland, Maker of the Year Judge 2025

Will Acland is a designer maker and partner in Waters & Acland, a furniture workshop and school situated in the Lake District of England. The stated ethos of Waters & Acland is “perfection in the making” and that attitude is evident in the often sculptural works which are made in the workshop of Will Acland and Oliver Waters.

Will Acland is one of the judges for Maker of the Year, presented by Carbatec. We asked him about his background and to give us some insight into what makes an award-winning piece.

Equinox Sideboard, designed by Will Acland and made by Waters & Acland head maker Tim Smith. Photo: Florence Acland

With an international reputation as a maker and partner in a school which produces award-winning sudents, you must understand some of the secrets of success. If you could sum up the key to mastering skills in fine woodworking, what are the essential attributes that students should possess?
There are many attributes that are key, but some of the things I would focus on would be; developing great hand-eye coordination, formulating a methodical design process, being organised with your making process by creating process lists and doing dry-runs and lastly- being patient; allowing those core hand skills to bed-in really does require lots of patience and I would say that impatience is often the number one reason a person will struggle to reach the standards they would like to.

Detail of Equinox Sideboard, designed by Will Acland and made by Waters & Acland head maker Tim Smith. Photo: Florence Acland

Many people undertake short and year-long courses. How long does it take, in your opinion, to achieve a functional level of mastery?
Interestingly posed! This really depends on the individual. We’ve had students who’ve established very successful businesses after only doing a six month course with us, and so a ‘functional level of mastery’, even though they had never done any woodwork before joining us. Others have required a year or two in the industry, working within an established business, before they have the confidence to feel they have a level of ‘mastery’.

Two views of Waters & Acland's 14-12 chair. Photos: Harry George Johnson

What’s your background in respect to learning woodworking?
I grew up surrounded by woodworking tools/machines in an old water mill in the Lake District. My dad was an antique tool dealer with a very liberal parenting style. He brought a treadle fret-saw into my primary school when I was nine years old and I cut jigsaws out for the other students, whilst the teachers covered their eyes!

From there, as a teenager, I did various courses and got in to green woodworking and turning. I had free rein in the mill and made all sort of things from salad bowls which I sold in a local shop, to small pieces of furniture, to commissions for friends and family. After this my skills were developed further whilst studying for three years at university (my degree was very much workshop based- 9-5, five days a week). And then developed further on-the-job for the next 20 years...

Detail of the 14-12 chair designed by Will Acland. Photo: Harry George Johnson

Where did you learn your design skills?
I believe that my creativity – a fundamental aspect of my design skills – was significantly shaped during my youth. My mother and stepfather, who were antiques dealers specialising in Arts & Crafts furniture, encouraged me to explore my creativity from early on. During my school years, I passionately engaged in creative subjects and spent much of my teenage life hanging out with a family where the father, an architect, was heavily influenced by Finnish design. Their home was filled with iconic modern pieces that ignited my enthusiasm for design.

Following school I initially studied fine art for one year, followed by a year of stone carving. However, it was during my design degree at Brighton University – where I majored in wood and minored in metal – that I truly honed my skills. My tutor, Chris Rose, a highly respected design academic, profoundly reshaped my perception of what design truly means.

Arundo Lamp by Will Acland. Photo: Florence Acland

What’s your industry experience?
Following Uni I worked for a furniture making company near Brighton for a year and then, with a friend that I studied with, successfully ran a small business called Square One design studio. After a few years we (my wife and I) decided to move back to the Lake District. For three years I practised as an independent maker before finally setting up Waters & Acland Ltd with Oliver Waters.

What’s most important to you in designing a new piece?
With new design, the most important factor for me is the harmony and balance between functionality and aesthetics. A well-designed piece should not only serve its practical purpose but also evoke a sense of connection and appreciation in those who interact with it whilst being aesthetically appropriate for the situation. A designer should also be sure that they’ve obsessed over all details to the point where they know there’s no way of improving.

Detail of Arundo Lamp by Will Acland. Photo: Florence Acland

What’s the first skill for a woodworker to master?
Setting up a hand plane, tuning and sharpening it then gaining control of it with deep practice.

What defines an award-winning piece in a competition such as this?
For me, a well resolved design that shows that great care has been taken to fully resolve and refine the design. I’ll also be looking for: quality over quantity. I’m interested in subtlety not superfluousness, and coherence. Incongruity without justification is a problem.

What’s your best tip for entrants?
Explain how you arrived at your final result. The story and concept behind the development of your design add significant value, offering insight into your creative evolution and thought process. By sharing this narrative, you create a deeper connection with your audience and enrich their understanding of your work.

Obviously not everyone will win an award. Do you see value in competitions such as these?
Accolades are undoubtedly good for raising your profile. Critical acclaim adds value to your business by increasing your credibility as a designer which in turn gives confidence to potential customers.

Learn more about Waters & Acland @watersandacland at www.watersandacland.co.uk

Enter the 2025 Maker of the Year Awards, presented by Carbatec

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