The image above is of my thesis project in the 2012 degree show at the Cranbrook Art Museum. It consists of my project for Herman Miller, Clip Tree, and Quill Light.

This morning we met with Gary Smith from Herman Miller to show him the results of out 2 semester long project.

I will post more in depth information regarding the project soon. But in the meantime, here are some images of Integrated Workstation. (Thesis work image taken by PD Rearick)

Dimensions:

Floor Version: Milled Maple, Steel, and Rubber. 67.5″(h)x 30″(w)
Wall Version: Milled Maple or Walnut, and Rubber.26.5″(h), .75″ offset from wall, variable width depending on number of posts used

What it is: Clip Tree is a configurable valet for use in the home, office, or hotel room. Taking functional inspiration from early hall trees and coat stands, Clip Tree combines both forms resulting in a product that is designed to hold onto all of the things we carry around with us during the day. From cell phones to spring scarves, messenger bags to a child’s raincoat, Clip Tree provides a way to elegantly frame our possessions.

How it works: Rubber components can be clipped into notches that run the length of each wooden post. This design allows for a flexible platform which accommodates the needs for people of all ages and sizes. And as seasons change or children grow, the clips can be rearranged to receive different objects. Assembly is very simple, requiring only an allen wrench for the floor version and screw driver for the wall version.

I am currently looking for a manufacturer who sees the commercial potential of Clip Tree and is able to help bring it to market.

Contact:00 1 248.797.4838 | macpdesign@gmail.com

Images:Click here for a 25MB zip of Hi-Res Images

About Me
I am focused on designing objects that support our natural and changing behaviors in both domestic and work environments. I strive to bring, through rigorous form-making and research, a clear expression of an artifact’s usefulness, relevance, and value into our lives.

I studied painting at Maryland Institute, College of Art, but ultimately received a BFA in furniture design at Minneapolis College of Art and Design after having worked for Adobe Systems for almost ten years. I have an MFA in 3D Design from Cranbrook Academy of Art as of May of this year. I interned at Bludot Design and Manufacturing and Peter Stathis & Virtual Studio, both places were invaluable to me in my development as a designer.

The latest Quill Light prototype is complete. Formal changes include a smaller shade, a lofted stem that slowly changes from a rectilinear head to a round end that terminates at a magnetic point, and a refined base. The overall effect underscores the formal connection to a quill pen. It is also lighter physically and visually which is more consistent with the use of a thin LED bar as the light source.

The ‘switch’ mechanism is more subtle. To turn the light on, simply lean the stem forward to make a connection with an embedded copper component. To turn it off, lean it back, facing away from the task area.

The stem is held in place primarily through a magnetic connection.

On April 23rd, Tejo Remy of Droog Design fame and his studio partner Renee Veenhuizen will be at Cranbrook to review the graduate work for my department which will be on display in the Cranbrook Art Museum and to give the annual Knoll Lecture that night. I am really looking forward to hearing what they have to say! I appreciate the departmental tradition of bringing in a design professional or critic to review our final projects.

I have recently completed the first working prototype of a task light that is turned off and on by physically moving the stem. Metaphorically this action references a quill and ink bottle. In this case the light is dipped into electricity. One pulls the light stem from a central hole (off position) and places in into an angled hole (on position).

The primary use for this light is for reading and writing at a desk. My interest was in making the use of the light more deliberate and less mindless. Many task lights are almost over-engineered for their intended purpose. Often, laptops and monitors provide enough light to work by. At best, a task light helps to help bring additional illumination to a workspace that harbors virtual activities which are no longer reliant on strong lighting to complete. Drafting, writing, etc. are now done digitally. With this in mind, I limited the articulation and angling which helps to express the on/off position of the light; when vertical, the light is off, when angled, the light is on.

I had a formal critique of this project today with my classmates. The feedback that I received will help make the experience of using the light more enjoyable as well as strengthening the semantic expression of the form. I intend on producing one more iteration before this school year is out.

It appears that I am going to be a busy man in May! Not only will I have my project for Herman Miller on display at ICFF, but yesterday I found out that I am one of 10 people to be selected to debut a product for ICFF Studio!

I will have my own booth for showing Clip Tree. I am, needless to say, very excited!

More about ICFF Studio here.

On Friday a few of us headed back to Herman Miller’s Design Yard to meet with engineering, color & materials specialists, design facilitation, and research to go over our prototypes.

We brought with us detailed specifications of our work which included information about how we intended to assemble them, as well as the materials we were thinking about using.

Each of us had 40 minutes to go through our specs and work out any red flags. The time flew by of course but the feedback was very helpful. There are a number of changes to my project that I will make. None of them are major departures from what I had prior to getting there. But each of them will make my project stronger structurally.

I was really impressed with the level of engagement by all the people at Herman Miller. The ideas and suggestions came rapid fire as one would expect from professionals who work on related projects day in and day out.

After everyones’ work was reviewed we got a more detailed tour of the materials room as well as a room that is full of classic furniture (a lot of it by George Nelson) as well as some new additions to the Herman Miller offerings that extend current lines of work (like a molded plywood version of the Eames’s DCM)

It was really great to have the opportunity to take part in a meeting that was not too dissimilar from one that I would have as a professional designer. Not many get that opportunity!

Last week the 3D Department and I went to NYC for 3 days to soak up as much as we could from designers, museums, galleries, and show rooms in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

While intense in terms of pacing, the lasting effect was one of informed excitement. We were able to see the work and studios of many of the big names in our field- IDEO, Rich Brilliant Willing, The Rockwell Group, Antenna Design, Ecco, Tod Williams and Billie Tsien Architects, Bill Moggridge, AMT Studio & Jan Habraken, Jason Miller/Roll&Hill, and others.

Obviously it was great to see their work. But most of it I had seen before. So the added value for me was the ability to ask questions and hear personal anecdotes.

I learned a lot about the numerous paths a designer can take in defining his/her career. But as Eric Chan, principle of ECCO Design said, it is really important to follow the path that feels the most like ‘you’, and not force yourself into an area that will not bring you satisfaction at the end of the day.

I am very grateful to the many people who took the time out of their day to talk with us. Thank you!</>

Below is a photo gallery (using an iPhone-sorry!) of some stops along the way. I wish that could have taken more photos, but you know how these things go…

An outdoor art installation involving city light posts being completely covered by zip ties.

Billie Chen and Tod Williams showing us a current project in India.

Tucker Viemeister and Josh Walton sharing stories about working at Rockwell Group.

The Rich Brilliant Willing guys. They aren't as pissed off as they look. They're actually really nice (for the record).

Moooi showroom.

Moooi showroom.

Plywood show at MoMA.

Eva Zeisel display at MoMA. RIP Eva!

Plywood object from MoMA show.

Flavin time.

Gaudi artifacts at MoMA.

Over-photographed work from the Bouroullecs.

Gratuitous Grcic at MoMA

Drone at MoMA

Love Egon

Bill Moggridge is talking to us at the Cooper Heweitt offices.

Tour of the empty Cooper Hewitt from Bill.

Materials Connexions front window.

Material Connexion library.

Sample materials from Materials Connexion.

Sample materials from Materials Connexion.

Material Connexion library signage.

Korea Town after korean BBQ with the gang.

Front door at Kikkerland.

Jan and Alissia at their studio. Jan is talking about the work that he is doing for Kikkerland.

No description needed.

Kitchen at IDEO NYC.

Pretty pretty lights at Flos.

Starck is perhaps first to the high-end market with a domestic object for the iPad.

The fog made the Empire States Building look like it was ablaze.

Repose at B&B Italia

Shiny Alessi

Today is the first day of my last semester at Cranbrook. I already wish that I could stay for another few years and get additional Masters degrees from other departments here…

It is time to bring everything together so that I have a solid showing in the degree show in May (not to mention a completed thesis).

I was one of the 6 students in our department to have my work selected by Herman Miller to be fully prototyped and ultimately shown at ICFF and/or NeoCon. What this means essential is that each of us is given some money to use for the creation of our projects. I wish I could show the renderings of it, but we promised to keep it under wraps for the time being. A hint- it has something to do with work space (ok- lame hint).

I believe we will head out to Herman Miller again to consult with their engineers and materials specialist regarding our projects and how best to put them together. I have a fairly good idea about how to put together what I have, but they may offer suggestions and hopefully point us to some preferred services for things like upholstery. The great thing about being in Detroit is that there is no lack of machine shops, upholsterers, etc to work with.

I am really excited to start working on it once we get back from New York. I am hoping there may be yet a little bit more time in this semester to squeak out an additional project. I guess we’ll find out soon enough!