Maker to Maker: Miles Taylor, it's all about user-centred design

Miles Taylor is a Naarm (Melbourne) based designer whose core values are designing for sustainability and user-centred design. While completing an Associate Degree of Furniture Design in 2018, he became conscious of the importance of craft in context to the 21st century and our reliance on digital technology. In 2021, Miles completed a Bachelor of Industrial Design at RMIT. He enjoys the design process and iterating prototypes to create meaningful furniture and objects. Recently, his work has concentrated on the accessibility of designing and making for all people, with a focus on sustainable design practice. We asked Miles to tell us more...

Q: How did you get into woodworking?
I was always outside building and repairing things in the backyard growing up. Once I even made a catapult in an empty block of land next door! It was the catalyst that propelled my interest of how things were made. 

Come Fly With Me laptop table. Inspired by 1960s futuristic aviation, the table is ergonomically proportioned and can slide underneath couches or benches.

Q: Who are your woodworking heroes/gods/gurus?
Hisao Zen – a master at Japanese joinery and woodwork. Once an admirer now a friend, I’ve learnt so much from him. Olive Gill-Hille – I studied furniture design with Olive and I admire how she sculpts timber in ways I would have never thought of. Paul Sellers – incredible woodworker/teacher and always has great tips and something to learn.

Small dining table in Tasmanian blackwood top with reclaimed and ebonised eucalyptus legs. ‘Perfect for flexible apartment living.’

Q: What do you mainly make?
Lots of different pieces of furniture with reclaimed timber. Lately, I have been making record player cabinets, custom wall mounted shelving and small tables. I’m influenced by mid-century and traditional joinery techniques.

Made for Head Honcho cafe in Prahran, this 7.5 metre long bench is made from Tasmanian Hydrowood blackwood and blackwood veneered plywood. The black highlights and steel work are by CJM Originals with powerpoints by Zetr.

Q: What is your desert island hand tool and machine? And why?
It would probably be a vintage chisel that I can restore to pass the time. For a machine, it would be a panel saw, you can do so much with them; build a raft to get off the island.

Q: Your most often-made mistake?
Always thinking that projects can be completed quickly. Sometimes, I get lost perfecting the details you won’t even see.

Miles Taylor’s Tool Adytum originated after identifying that standard woodworking workbenches are typically not designed with wheelchair accessibility in mind. This bench adapts the traditional woodwork bench for wheelchair users and their needs. Aaptable, portable and easily modifiable, the design is based around a modular interface that allows components to interlock and change. This workbench features a vice, clamping holes, non-slip feet pads, tool storage and height adjustability. 

Q: Your biggest woodworking disaster!!?
When I drilled straight through a table top as I was fixing it down to the base. Don’t trust that piece of tape on your drill bit! Luckily, a teacher gave me the advice to make it into a feature, not a mistake.

Q: The thing I would most like to change about my own woodworking is…
I’d like to continue being inspired by traditional Japanese joinery techniques, and incorporate them into my designs. I also want to find inspiration from architectural and organic forms. 

Moravian/Welsh inspired staked stool built from American white oak shorts with chamfered seat, octagonal legs and Tasmanian blackwood wedges. 

Q: What do you love most about woodworking?
I love transforming reclaimed materials; sustainability is the core of my practice. There is nothing like getting into the flow of making and creating that perfect fitting joint. Plus, learning new skills and ideas from building something that you haven’t made before.

Miles Taylor in the workshop with one of his Come Fly With Me laptop tables.

Q: My best tip to other makers is…
Slow down and think before you do! I’ve made so many silly mistakes by trying to cut corners, and it always ends up costing you time.

This record player cabinet in salvaged Tasmanian blackwood is Miles Taylor's 2025 Maker of the Year entry. See more here

Photos: Miles Taylor
Learn more about Miles Taylor at @m_t_designs_ and www.milestaylor.com.au

Maker of the Year, presented by Carbatec, is a competition for all makers, amateur, professional and student, and showcases the wonderful things they make from wood. In 2025 we present a series of interviews with some of the makers who have already entered their work.

Maker of the Year, presented by Carbatec is open for entry to makers all over the world. In addition to awards totalling A$19,500 in value, The Jan Pennell Award (A$1,500) will be made to an entry that displays outstanding woodturning. This entry will be selected from the Top 100 shortlisted entries across all Maker of the Year categories including Furniture, Arts & Objects and Student. Local and international makers are eligible to win this award.

In addition, the A$1000 Recycled & Rescued Award will be made to an entry that displays outstanding use of recycled and reused materials. This entry will also be selected from the Top 100 shortlisted entries across all categories. Local and international makers are eligible to win this award.

Enter Maker of the Year, presented by Carbatec

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