Teresa Alber requested a design and build project for a 17 foot expandable privacy screen. The design brief requested that the screen be functional, sculptural, light weight and easily stored. The purpose of the screen was to allow her children to have a separate space from visitors during consulate events.

CLIENT:  British Consulate General in Chicago, Teresa Alber
SKILLS:  Design, Build
MATERIALS:  Enameled cold rolled Steel, “Poly Parchment” (Polyester sheeting)
DIMENSIONS:  17’ L. X 5’H

Michael Koehler, the lead designer for P - 45; a clothing boutique located in Chicago Illinois, requested that I design and build a clothing rack that incorporates randomness, to accommodate the varying amounts of designer clothing represented within the store.

CLIENT:  Koehler Design Build
SKILLS:  Design, Build
WEBSITE:  koehlerdesignbuild.com
MATERIALS:  Welded Square Tubing
DIMENSIONS: Four sections @ 10’ L X 14” D X 5’, Assembled length 40’

Push- Pin, is a collaboration between fellow designer Jason Rosenblatt, and myself. Shown here is my contribution towards the project.

Push - Pin is a user centered design project that is based on the observation of seeing people prick their fingers while trying to pick one up.

The problem is the actual design of the pin itself because the pin is exposed.

The solution to pricking ones finger is to cover the pin. When the pin is pushed into the wall, the pin will eject outward and when pulled out of the wall, the pin will retract back in. To make The Push - Pin easier to pick up, I have designed it to self-upright. A stylized form of the current push - pin has been used to inform the user where to grab.

SELF-INITIATED PROJECT - Currently in development
SKILLS: Design, Prototyping, Rhino, 3d Printing
MATERIALS: Injected molded Polyurethane,
Metal insert, Straight pin

Jack is a unique and innovative book holder, reimagining a classic book carrying tool for modern use. With its sleek design, Jack balances functionality and aesthetic appeal, making it an ideal solution for book storage. Featuring a sturdy belt-and-baseplate design, it secures books in an upright position, keeping them both organized and easily accessible. The angled baseplate leans against the wall, preventing books from toppling over, and ensuring a clean, efficient, and stylish storage system.

Jack’s belt buckle attaches securely to the wall, providing extra stability and support. This feature makes Jack not just functional, but also a reliable choice for space-saving book storage. Inspired by the traditional Book Strap, Jack merges the past with the present, offering a nostalgic nod while delivering a modern, practical solution for book lovers.

Whether you’re looking to organize your library or display your favorite reads, Jack is the perfect addition to any space, seamlessly blending vintage charm with contemporary design.

SKILLS:  Design, Manufacture, Rhino 3D
MATERIALS:  Powder Coated Steel, 100% Wool Felt
DIMENSIONS:  10” W X 8” D X 2 . 5” H

Blatt (English translation, Leaf), is a wall mounted malleable device used to hold one’s coat, hat, notes, keys or any number of objects, dependent on the user.

Blatt resulted from observations of how household objects dictate their function, their footprint, and their placement. These observations led me to explore the idea of how an object can adapt to one’s own dwelling and environmental constraints.

Blatt’s process began with choosing to reinvent the common household coat tree. The word “trees” is used as inspiration for their ability to adapt and conform to their environment.

While Blatt is not a living organism, it is organic in nature because of its ability to bend, adapt and conform itself within environments.

SKILLS:  Design, Manufacture, Rhino 3D
MATERIALS:  Powder coated Steel, 100% Wool Felt
DIMENSIONS:  10. 5”L X 6 . 25”W X 2 . 25”H

PURCHASE: Store - Blatt

Flat Pack is a responsibly designed object for today’s DIY culture. It utilizes natural materials, durable construction methods for long life, creates an emotional connection by allowing the consumer to assemble it, uses minimal package materials, and is designed for disassembly.

SKILLS:  Design, Build
MATERIALS:  Walnut, White Oak, 1/2” Plywood, 100% 1/2” Wool Felt
DIMENSIONS:  20” W X 22”D X 31" H

PURCHASE: COMING SOON!

Second Glance is a multi-functional object intended for public use. The design was inspired by the observation that bags are often unsecure within public spaces due to there being no place to store them. Second Glance provides this place. When stored, the participant gains a sense of security of their belongings, by allowing the user to hover over them.

JURIED DESIGN COMPETITION: Design Within Reach

SKILLS:  Design, Manufacture, Rhino 3D
MATERIALS:  Bent Ply Lamination , Walnut Veneer, Solid Walnut. 100% Wool Felt
DIMENSIONS:  19” W X 15”D X 30 H (Stool)

“Any form that has been produced by a single sheet of folded paper can also be produced in any sheet material.”

This is what has always been said and it has been proven in plastic and metal many times over. But what about wood?

This projects aims to develop 20 functional objects that are folded from a single sheet of wooden veneer. Some of the patterns will consist of straight lines and yet others will be bent along curved line, forcing the form into convex or concave surfaces. This is the first!

SKILLS:  Design, Pattern Making, Hot-water bending,
MATERIALS:  1/8 Solid Walnut Veneer,  
DIMENSIONS:  4" W X 12” H

Grasshopper is an experimental joinery project that was sparked by the observation that trees have the amazing ability to engulf or embed objects within them as they continue to grow. Often times the only evidence of these objects is through small fragments that have been left, or a mass of growth that has taken on the form of the original object. WORK IN PROGRESS.

SKILLS:  Design Build, Rhino 3D,
MATERIALS:  Walnut and Ash Veneer Stainless Steel Rod 100% Wool Felt
DIMENSIONS:  18” W X 19”D X H 27.5"

PURCHASE: COMING SOON!

Is a collaborative project between a few AIGA members. The intent behind the project is to design a set of recipe card. To start the development process a single ingredient is sent to a group member who adds another ingredient to develop a new recipe. For example: Peanuts turns into Peanut butter. Peanut butter turns into homemade chocolate peanut butter cups.

Along with topographically laying out the the recipe, the participants are to illustrate the front of the card which visualizes the dish to be prepared. This too will change as the recipe changes.

Shown here is my proposed package design and my recipe card.

The package is designed to not only stores the card but also gives a way for the cards to display the illustration or to assist in reading the recipe when creating the dish.

SKILLS:  Sketching, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign,