Matt Withington

Born in Hertfordshire and raised in Surrey, England, Matt Withington graduated from Bournemouth University in 2000 receiving a Bachelor of Science with Honours in product design. His graduate project won an award for best project out of around 150 of his fellow students.

Following his studies, Matt trekked around the world before returning to the UK to work as a cabinet maker and project manager. This experience informed his development as a designer, allowing him to blend the design skills honed during his education with traditional arts and crafts. Matt joined Johnny Grey Studios UK in 2003 and has been senior designer since 2004. In 2009, he was selected as finalist for the kitchen design award of industry magazine KBB.

Matt likes to inject his kitchen designs with a bit of a wow factor after he has addressed the functionality aspects. He sees each project as an opportunity to do something different, experimental or challenging.

Away from work, Matt is keen portrait painter, exhibiting and accepting local commissions. He has a portfolio of faces painted in oils inspired by the characters he has met while travelling. When not fulfilling his creative urges, he can usually be found on his bike or climbing up (or skiing down) a mountain. He lives in Guildford, England.

Who is your favourite designer or architect and why?

Ron Arad for the sense of fun that is so evident in his work.

If you weren't a designer, what would you be?

An Olympic down hill skier!....but I looked silly in an all in one lycra suit so gave it up.

What is your favourite kitchen implement?

The humble cheese grater - it transforms the simplest of dishes!