The Nugget: Ryan Henderson

Issue: 006 · January 2017 · 3 Wise Men About Town

No.6 Ryan Henderson

Creative Guy · DIY Guy · Culture Guy · Top Guy

When it comes to cracking genius ideas, designer Ryan Henderson likes to think more than he likes to talk. He prefers to sit back, ruminate, noodle and let things wash over, before scamping thoughts on an A3 pad, using anything but a biro.

This exacting nature is probably the reason he named his brand and packaging design studio, Degree - started 13 years ago with his partner Alicia.

It can probably also be traced back to his rather exacting banker father.

Indeed, Ryan even had a back-up plan to be an accountant until creativity took a fairly obstinate and obsessive hold from about five years old.

As a kid he was always drawing, painting and making stuff. Even today he still loves a bit of DIY, especially plastering, where it’s all about careful application followed by stripping back anything unnecessary to get a great finish - a bit like his own design philosophy really.

It’s also why he likes the mix of simple style and functionality of 3 Wise Men gear, evident in our huge range of shirts (all $120 or 3 for three hundy) and our Hitchcock leather satchel (available in cognac and black, $250).

Ryan draws creative inspiration from everywhere, in particular, music. Not as a musician, however (his career peaked in a high school band that had no name and played no gigs) but rather, spending hours conscientiously “disappearing down eclectic rabbit holes of musical discovery”. Current rhythmic trips include Nigerian boogie, esoteric spiritual jazz, and Japanese ‘80s Fourth-world ambient/pop/new wave.

Fair to say dinner parties are never dull at the Hendersons’.

Quick Questions

  1. Sporting/concert event you’d travel back in time for? Velvet Underground at Warhol’s Factory. Would have been life changing.
  2. Last supper meal? Masala Dosa.
  3. Best ever dinner party guests? Louis Theroux, author Malcolm Gladwell, author & director Paul Auster, film agent Shep Gordon and Alicia.
  4. First ever concert? The Ramones, front row at the Power Station in the ‘80s. We looked about ten. We felt bulletproof.
  5. Favourite ever album/band? The next thing I’m wanting to listen to.
  6. Finish the sentence: No man should ever wear... Outdoor ski-style jackets with a suit.
  7. Beer or wine? Beer and wine.
  8. Stones or Beatles? Beatles for sheer innovation and a flawless catalogue.
  9. Favourite city? Tokyo.
  10. Shirts in or out? I like the look of shirts in, but normally wear mine out… weird.
  11. Favourite 3 Wise Men piece of kit? The new range of cotton trou. Just the right mix of smart and casual. (George trou, $120 or 3 for three hundy in black, navy, charcoal and Air Force blue).
  12. Best thing about working with your partner? You always know where you stand.
  13. Worst thing about working with your partner? You always know where you stand.
  14. What was the last picture you took with your phone? A deluxe plastering trowel at Mitre 10 Mega.
  15. Favourite typeface? Classic typefaces that never go out of style. I’m fence sitting. Avenir.
  16. How big should the logo be? Normally 10%-50% smaller than what most clients want.
  17. Person who’s influenced you most (not your family) and why? Anyone who swims against the tide and forges their own path.
  18. Best life lesson/Life motto? Simplify.
Ryan Henderson - The Nugget magazine page

As seen in print

The Nugget: Ryan Henderson

This story first ran as a full page in The Nugget, our 3 Wise Men About Town series on good buggers from around the country and the 3 Wise Men kit they love.

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