Whisson founded South Australia's first industrial design consultancy in 1961. He helped establish the SA chapter of the DIA, serving as its 1st president, and later as National DIA President from 1971 to 1973. Whisson led the Colour and Design Department at Chrysler Australia and in 1960, he established his own consultancy, Hugh J Whisson Design Associates. A 2025 Inductee, Design Institute of Australia’s (DIA) Hall of Fame.