Special things

Joel Kefali (left) and Cam Hooper of design collective Special Problem. Photos / Martin Sykes

Campbell Hooper and Joel Kefali are two-thirds of Special Problems, a design collective based in Auckland. The pair are joined by London based Darron Lilley to make up the multi-disciplinary creative studio which works on music videos, art direction, website design and other wide-ranging creative projects.

Their distinctive aesthetic, which incorporates elements of video, illustration, animation, painting and photography, has seen them collaborate with everyone from hairdresser Stephen Marr to The Mint Chicks to Cut Off Your Hands, and recent work has included a film for designer Cybele, TV commercials for Max, music videos for Bionic Pixie, Die Die Die and Australian band Midnight Juggernauts, and working on the design for Lucy Vincent Marr's soon-to-launch skincare range, Sans. Hooper and Kefali, who both have fine art backgrounds and have formally worked together under the name Special Problems for just over a year, tell us what things are inspiring them creatively right now.

10 favourite things

Joel

1. M & Co Bodoni watch

Designed by the late Tibor Kalman's M & Co. I like the simplicity of this watch. No frills. If someone were to make a Pictionary drawing of a watch and get it manufactured, it would look like this.

2. Tim Thatcher painting

I got this painting from Tim when he was in his final year at Unitec. I have fond memories of that particular time and place.

3. Yamaha CS 15

So it's no minimoog and doesn't have wood veneer or chrome knobs but it does the job (the job of sitting around collecting dust). I love the analog synthesizers that were made around the late 70s. My parents gave me this for my 21st.

4. Good luck tea pot

Cam gave me this for my birthday this year. I love the handpainted handle that looks like it is supposed to be wooden, and the silver edges and horse shoe.

5. Handknitted soft toy by Hannah May and Vincent Lum

This is a collaboration between two friends from Uni. Hannah May knitted this elephant based on Vincent Lum's drawings.

Cam

6. Kate Newby piece

A piece Kate made me for my birthday, from her welding phase.

7. Andrew Barber "Boy named Sue"/"A view to Lion Rock" 2005-2008

A diptych by Andrew Barber. His "re-addressing" of his older works: repainting and re-stretching.

8. Nick Austin painting

A painting Nick gave me for something I did for him but I can't remember. It's the best thing about doing "swaps" with friends who are artists: what they give you is infinitely better than what you gave them.

9. Sriwhana Spong batik

A batik Sriwhana gave me in exchange for composing the soundtrack for one of her video works. I had to get a mortgage to frame it.

10. Demeulemeester boots
I feel a little embarrassed choosing expensive shoes as one of my favourite "things", but they're one of the only non-vintage pieces I'd buy. I wear them every day. They're totally worth not being able to pay rent for a month.