When Savannah College of Art and Design gave us an open invitation to conduct a series of workshops on a topic of our choosing for a mix of graduate and undergraduate Industrial Design, Systems Design, and Furniture Design students, we began our planning by asking ourselves a few simple questions:

“What kind of experience would be valuable to such a broad range of design students?”
“What sort of experience is our studio uniquely equipped to give to design students?”

Solution

These questions fueled a productive dialogue in our studio, providing opportunities for us to reexamine our own processes and assumptions. Our area of focus emerged as we identified a frequent gap in design education between instruction of technical skills and instruction of critical thinking.

It occurred to us that this relationship between craft and visual thinking is a common point of friction for students, design educators, and professionals alike. Despite the perceived difficulty of balancing these elements, our own attempts yielded the best results when technical skills and critical thinking were practiced together as an interrelated set of techniques.

We began referring to this practice as “thinking through making” and it became the foundation of our workshop pedagogy. We wished to convey to the students that design was both intellectual and physical; fetishizing either element would only result in thin blood.

To communicate this concept, we planned a series of exercises in designing and prototyping elemental objects (paper products and, eventually, simple lighting devices) as an armature for uptake of our “thinking through making” lesson.

The first part of the workshop was conducted over three days on campus in Savannah, culminating in a design competition with the prize being admission to the second workshop. That heralded second workshop took place two weeks later in our own studio in Atlanta.

Results

We sought feedback from the students (through video interviews) and many of them viewed our workshops as a welcome opportunity to step out of their ordinary routine and explore fundamental boundaries of their philosophies and processes.

We were also pleased to see the students emerge with new practical skills (book-making and prototyping) and, in some cases, portfolio-worthy product outcomes.

We at People of Resource were pleased to debut our design exhibition, Yall & Us, on Saturday, June 5, 2010 at our studio in the historic Telephone Factory at the end of Modern Atlanta’s design week.

Although the focus was on design from all over the US, it was certainly our goal to put a bit of a Southern accent on the proceedings.

Toward that end, we sought to align every aspect of the event with that combination of scrappiness and hospitality for which the American South is known. In contrast to the typical trappings of the design exhibition world (wristbands, “no sit” signs, and corporate sponsors), Yall & Us attendees paid no admission and enjoyed complimentary Bourbon & Blenheims and Pimm’s Cups while admiring 40 design objects by 15 designers from across the US.

Hands-on interaction with the objects was encouraged and those who were especially intrigued were able to order prized pieces for themselves from their mobile phones thanks to e-commerce support from Subports.

The design of the exhibit itself drew on the utilitarian language of workshops: information about the objects and designers was displayed clearly on clipboards throughout the space. Illumination was provided by generic, everyday clamp lamps fitted with halogen bulbs.

FEATURED DESIGNERS

Craigton Berman, Chicago
Design Glut, Brooklyn
Et. Al., Etc., New York City
Jason Miller, Brooklyn
Joey Roth, San Francisco
Jonas Damon, New York City
Kiel Mead, New York City
Materious, Chicago
Object Group, New York City
Refined Sugar Studio, Cincinnati
Rich Brilliant Willing, New York City
Studio 1 AM, Chicago
Thoughtbarn, Austin
Von Tundra, Portland
Wintercheck Factory, Brooklyn

COLLABORATIONS

One exciting aspect of planning, designing, and producing this exhibition was the opportunity it presented to work with talented friends on various components of the show. We were pleased to commission Jason Travis to photograph the weekend’s events. In the weeks leading up to the show, we commissioned Farbod Kokabi of Armchair to create the exhibit’s bold, minimalist promotional graphics. Finally, we designed an e-commerce site filled with objects from the exhibit for Subports. For their part, Subports handled development of the site and provided their innovative text-to-buy platform as the e-commerce backend for both the site and the exhibit itself.

From a very early age, Alex King has been interested in machinery and tools. For Alex, this interest is more than just a predilection, it’s in his DNA: Alex got his start making machinery for his father’s company and grew up with a grandfather who worked for Lockheed, the Oakridge US Arsenal, and the CDC.

Fast-forward to 2010: Alex King has been in the manufacturing and fabrication business for over 20 years in the Atlanta area. During this time, the web has become a critical source of information and interaction for society. Despite having nothing in the way of a web presence, Alex has built Precision Fabrication into a successful business through hard work, talent, and satisfied clients. Alex realized that even a business like his, rooted in physical manufacturing, couldn’t continue to grow without approaching the internet as a channel for new business.

Solution

With our feet planted in both the digital and physical realms, People of Resource were uniquely suited to understand the realities of Alex’s business, as well as the challenges of translating his value proposition to the web.

Our first priority was in communicating the breadth and depth of his facilities and project experience. Doing this in a simple, powerful, and visual way was the grounding of this project. The outcome of this initiative is an interactive video piece that directly presents Precision Fabrication’s capabilities to each visitor. This device is supported by a flexible, easy-to-update framework that clearly supplies vital information and allows Precision Fabrication to keep a fresh, current web presence.

Results

Using the visual and captivating language of high-quality video, the website serves initially as an interest-grabbing platform. However, the site is much more than just a pretty face: Alex is continuously adding new work and experience to create a deep, living catalog of his firm’s track record as leaders in their field. This visceral demonstration of their prowess has resulted in the fruition of our goals for this project: increased sales and interest in the company. Alex has reported back to us with a pronounced uptick in business. What’s even more exciting is the fact that the majority of new leads are coming to Precision Fabrication through their new website.

After more than thirty years of designing award-winning massage chairs, Human Touch wished to be better understood. Although they had experienced great success throughout their history, they felt that their approach to products made them much more than just “a chair company.” In fact, they defined themselves as a wellness company and brought that approach to their entire product line.

With a new, game-changing product ready to debut, the time was ripe to reassert Human Touch’s identity as a wellness company.

To implement these ideas, HT contacted our partners at Info Retail for strategy and design of showroom and tradeshow environments to be deployed in Las Vegas. When video emerged as an integral part of the project, Info Retail tapped People of Resource to concept and produce the necessary video assets.

Solution

Although the stimulus for this project revolved around the debut of a new product, the opportunity to make Human Touch better understood as a wellness company was also great. Thus, instead of just filming a product demonstration video for Human Touch, People of Resource pitched an illustrative branding piece for the company. While the chairs were vital to manifest the company’s intent, the ideals and values behind them transcend individual products.

To point more to the idea of wellness, as well as introduce the innovative HT Connect features, the video we pitched was a person-centered story of using and benefiting from Human Touch technology.

Results

By underlining, literally, the importance of the experience of rejuvenation and therapy offered by Human Touch products, the video was able to show more of the identity of the company and it’s values instead of just one chair. It also illustrated the effectiveness of the unprecedented HT Connect technology.

The video can be seen in rotation in Human Touch’s flagship store in Las Vegas.

The Jones Group, one of Atlanta’s leading advertising agencies, brought together a team of professionals to completely overhaul their offices. Led by interior designer Caryn Grossman, the team consisted of lighting designer Christopher Moulder, artist Michi, contractor Shane Benefield, and People of Resource. Our contribution was the design and fabrication of all the workstations, along with breakout and conference tables.

Solution

The primary material used is Kirei board, a compressed ply board material created from reclaimed sorghum straw. We utilized Kirei along with 3-Form Chroma, powder coated steel, and formaldehyde-free MDF.

Features of the designs include integrated power routing in the table tops, under-table computer mounts, and magnetic whiteboard partitions.

Results

Upon delivery and installation, the space immediately appeared more cohesive and efficient, with the interaction of Kirei board and antique brick taking on a romantic undertone. This project won People of Resource a 2009 Atlanta Downtown Design Excellence Award.

Malcolm Fontier’s eponymous modern travel accessory line was an instant darling upon its debut. Well-deserved nods from noteworthy publications like Wired, Dwell, and Lucky are a regular thing for MF’s clean, stylish, and vegan-friendly carryall line.

Nevertheless, the designer’s success begged a question: what next? How could his brand’s solid reputation translate into new products? How could the audience for MF products increase? What would those moves look like?

Solution

To answer these questions, Malcolm Fontier again turned to People of Resource. Our relationship began several years ago when Malcolm tapped People of Resource to fabricate his trade show displays. We count it as an honor that he continues to trust us as a collaborative partner.

To gain increased control over interaction with his customer base, we initiated a two-pronged video campaign that would demonstrate the products’ usefulness and also convey Malcolm’s modern explorer brand message.

To reward loyal retailers and, again, tighten control over direct communication with customers, we developed retail displays that use high-quality materials in creative ways to keep production costs low.

Through a series of creative workshops, we worked alongside Malcolm’s team to research, understand, and expand upon the opportunities that laid in front of the company.

Results

As a result of our video and retail display work, we were able to deliver more meaningful connections between the Malcolm Fontier brand and its fanbase.

As a result of our product design workshops, we were able to expand Malcolm’s audience by creating new bag designs that increase his product offering variety. Further, our design for a new, lower-priced bag, delivers a broader audience while maintaining his reputation for top notch quality.

Roots Atlanta provides an encouraging and challenging support system to enable young people to flourish from the inside out. The heart of this organization and its desire to serve in a meaningful way attracted the People of Resource to run alongside its pursuits and actions.

After creating an identity and web site for Roots Atlanta, we approached them with a program of fun and interactive custom furnishings. When the unexpected difficulties that come with every start-up effort appeared, the time and budget demands tightened significantly.

Solution

We responded to the situation by calling on local organizations for donated materials, and using some clever design details to deliver an exciting, modern, and functional space.

With the help of the local school system surplus and Mohawk carpets, we were able to obtain old art tables, work tables, chairs, and carpet tiles.

We fabricated a shelving system out of a single piece of reclaimed walnut to showcase the best children’s books. By retrofitting affordable Ikea shelving with a mason jar storage system, craft supplies became easy to find and organize. We also utilized extra legs from school desks to make a maple reading table and a twelve-foot, solid, heart-pine bench.

Results

The space is now brimming with fun and excitement. Just from walking in, kids can feel the energy and intent of Roots’ energetic founder, Nicki Keys.

Dex is a leading provider of sustainable product using responsible practices. The firm is dedicated to exploring, pursuing, and executing creative applications of concrete and terrazzo.

When Craig Smith and Lauriel Leonard started Dex in 1999, their manufacturing of beautiful, original finishes made with recycled material and found objects pre-dated today’s green building movement by half a decade.

Having proven our agility by executing both displays and product photography for Dex, People of Resource was Craig and Lauriel’s chosen partner when it became obvious that Dex needed a more robust website to display their prodigious product offerings.

Solution

Dex has an expansive portfolio of materials, products, and custom projects. We began by researching and cataloguing the company’s output throughout its history – we were struck by the many exciting custom projects that, in the steady flow of day-to-day business, simply hadn’t been shown off to the degree that their quality demanded.

By tightly structuring a consistent layout, creating feature pages to highlight partnerships, designing icons for material types, and articulating descriptions of their projects, we primed Dex’s work to be viewed at its best.

Results

We created a clean environment that requires minimal cognitive load to navigate and effectively communicates a commitment to craft and exploration.

Since the relaunch, their visits and exposure improved and exceeded the previous site’s rates.

The good folks at the South’s finest track bike establishment, No Brakes Atlanta, asked us to help them add some pop to their new storefront.

After only two years of being in business, they were growing too much for their existing shop. Their newly acquired spot had a lot of potential, but needed some creative genius to make the most out of the budget.

Solution

We focused on the display of their high-end, minimalist track frames. These pieces are the cornerstone of any great bike, and deserve a proper presentation.

We wanted to see the frames in all their glory, floating and set just off the wall. Our goal was to dematerialize the awkward rack-style frame hangers that already exist. We wanted to boil it down to a simple, elegant, and magical solution.

Results

No Brakes provides a relaxed and comfortable environment for people of all levels and experience. The display we created embodies that with its super-simple, semantic components.

Amy Rouse, a California-based herbalist and consultant, wanted to create a platform to provide quality advice for healthier living. She was seeking a new identity and website to showcase her services and products. She turned to People of Resource for a clean, modern update.

Solution

Our approach to the Backyard Remedies logo was to create a mark with texture, playing off the blending of Amy’s medicines, by overlaying primary-color ink splotches to create specific floral compositions.

The primary goal of the website was to create appropriate avenues for learning about the services and products Amy offers, with each path on the site leading people to contact her directly.