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Will Meyer

Will Meyer

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  • What do you do and how did you get here?

    I design homes, restaurants, luxury retail stores and of course, hotels.

  • What inspires you most?

    My clients. At Meyer Davis, the ideas and vision of our clients drives our creative process. Our role is to turn those ideas in to something real, something beautiful, something unique. The problem solving process is incredibly inspiring.

  • How important is collaboration and who have you enjoyed working with most?

    Obviously collaboration is very important to me. I work side-by-side with Gray Davis, my business partner; we are both from the South (Nashville) and have authentically grown our individual design practices and business together. So Gray is exactly who I want to work with every day.

  • What are you inspired by or who do you admire in the field of hospitality creativity?

    I’m inspired by the work of Philippe Starck for his rigor and precision. In my view, he has transformed the hotel and lobby experience. I really admire his attention to detail.

  • The majority of your work is hospitality focused. Was that always your intended direction?

    No. When Gray and I first started we focused on residential design. I think we bring that luxury residential feel to our hospitality projects and clients appreciate that.

  • What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the industry over the past few years?

    Everyone is more design savvy now – there is a collective higher “design IQ.” Clients have the world at their fingertips, so everyone from corner market to mass market is exposed to good design. It doesn’t matter if it’s Target doing a line with Philip Lim, or a restaurant in Williamsburg starting to build a brand. Because of this, clients demand and expect more, and that is worldwide.

  • How important is it to be versatile? Should you aim to be known for one thing or diversify?

    I definitely believe in aesthetic diversity. Gray and I grow each time we push ourselves to take on something new. This push is important, because we would get bored doing the same thing.

  • What advice would you give to young designers?

    Working professionally is not the same experience as the education process. I think that students and young designers should spend their time working at different firms to acquire the experience and skills that school can’t teach you.

  • Where will you be on your next day off?

    I’m going to head to Miami for Art Basel to enjoy the week and see a new project we’ve just completed.

  • Do you have a favorite hotel in the world?

    Okura hotel in Japan. It’s a completely grand experience.