Name: Chad Phillips
Expertise: Design Curator, Idea Man
Location: New York, New York

Interests: Southern Style Sweet Tea, Buttermilk Biscuits and Rock Steady and Rare Groove Records, with a bit of French Pop thrown in.

Background: Originally from Tennessee, I moved from farm life to the slick design world of the city in the late 90's to work for Murray Moss at the world renown moss store in SoHo. There, my basic knowledge of mid-century design was expanded exponentially in every direction of the Decorative Arts. Later on I spent seven years helping to build Kidrobot with Paul Budnitz. You know those quirky design toys you or you co-worker have? I helped create them somewhere along the way! Now I consult for a few different designs brands you have heard of and curate shops when I can.

Why did you curate the Wooden Pencils & Ballpens and what do you love about them? I am obsessed with anything Japanese, like any red-blooded design nerd should be. After years of working with plastic, the appeal of natural materials is super strong and refreshing, especially when it takes the form of something normally not thought of in that material. Sure there have been wooden pens, but not built this way, not built and formed like your favorite mechanical pencils from the 80's, or the disposable, angular clicker you use now. I find these pens to be the perfect combination of form, natural material, and function. Did I mention they write beautifully too?

Favorite meal: Besides the aforementioned Buttermilk Biscuits, I would have to say NYC Coal Oven Pizza.

Recent purchase: Some Buckram for a sewing project.

Hidden talent: I can whistle like a little bird, fools my wife sometimes.

Book/Film recommendation: Any book by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Pierrot Le Fou by Godard.

Restaurant recommendation: Franny's Pizza in Brooklyn.

If I had $20, I’d… : Buy lunch for friends.

Transformative travel experience: Mainland China, the oldest society in the world lives like one of the youngest, America could be next.

Favorite neighborhood: Nakameguro Tokyo, when the Cherry trees are blooming along the canal.

Dream holiday: To see every ancient wonder in the world: Easter Island, Angkor Wat, The Pyramids...

If I could solve one problem, it would be: World Peace, Duh!

I wish people cared more about: Each other.

Recent aha! moment: Happiness truly comes from within and it is infectious.

The world would be a better place if: We stopped racing against each other, and started caring for each other.