Project
Cutlery
Client
Taylor's Eye Witness
Production
2007 - 2009
In discussions with Alastair Fisher, director of Taylor's Eye Witness, the subject of low-cost cutlery sold in supermarkets was approached, which could best be described as poorly made pseudo-craft that uses mass-produced methods of production. The cheaper the cutlery, the more grandiose it tries to present itself. The conversation was extended with Muji Europe, who agreed to partner in the production of a low-cost everyday set of cutlery, similar in principle to the conditions of Mono Cutlery designed by Peter Raacke in Post War Germany, where resources were limited.
To do this, Industrial Facility set about looking into a very different direction – not to mimic quality, but to elevate the vernacular of disposable plastic cutlery.
The first experiment was to literally make a transfer of material in our workshop. The result of turning plastic cutlery into metal showed just how beautiful these unseen designs were. It was then a process of refining them, and editing the place setting down to four pieces – including a spork (a combination of a spoon and fork).
Permanent Collections
The Art Instutute of Chicago (AIC)
Design Museum London
Exhibitions
Some Recent Projects, Design Museum London, 2008
Extraordinary Stories about Ordinary Things, Design Museum London, 2012
Project
IF4000 Knives
Client
Taylor's Eye Witness, UK
Production
2004 -
A lot of knives are shaped to fit the hand with what could be called pseudo-ergonomic aesthetics, the claim being that they position a form into a hand perfectly, yet this approach limits the many different ways we actually hold and manipulate a knife. With IF4000 the simple tapered oval was resurrected, which means that even with the eyes closed, you know which way the handle is facing. For the materials and processes, the blade uses a technique of precision-forging and grinding which allows a smoother transition between blade and handle. For the handle, an investigation was made to find a ‘cool’ material, rather than a ‘warm’ plastic. After much testing, a white polyester and melamine composite seemed to work. This was followed by a black version, with slight adjustments to the blade, in 2007.
Awards
IF Hannover Gold Award, 2006
Design Plus Award, 2006
Grand Designs Award, 2006
Permanent Collections
Museum Fur Kunsthandwerk, Frankfurt
Exhibitions
Found, Made, Thought, the Work of Industrial Facility, Israel Museum / British Council, 2006
Love & Money, Ozone Gallery, Tokyo, 2006
Films
International Sales
Project
Knife Rack
Client
Taylor's Eye Witness, UK
Production
2006 -
To accompany the IF4000 range of knives, a knife rack seemed a relevant product. But it needed a ‘useful but odd’ character which was very much the interpretation of the company itself.
The Knife Rack presents itself as a simple strip of wood mounted on a wall. When a knife is attached to it, the usfulness becomes visible. The product uses the strength of layered Bamboo in combination with five submerged magnets.
Awards
Design Plus Award, 2007
British Housewares Gold Award, 2007
Permanent Collections
Museum fur Kunsthandwerk, Frankfurt
State Museum of Applied Arts and Design, Munich
Exhibitions
Found, Made, Thought, the Work of Industrial Facility, Israel Museum / British Council, 2006
Love & Money, Ozone Gallery, Tokyo, 2006
Films
International Sales
Project
Chantry Modern Sharpener
Client
Taylor's Eye Witness, UK
Production
2004 -
Ever since its invention in 1929, the Chantry, manufactured by Taylor's Eye Witness, has been one of the world’s most popular knife sharpeners. The design of its casing has been updated over the years, but the internal mechanism of two small butcher’s steels precisely angled and spring-loaded, to ensure that they sharpen the knife rather than grind it, has remained intact.
Industrial Facility was asked to ‘modernise’ the then current design, executed by the late Robert Welch, hence the name ‘Chantry Modern’. Welch’s design had a certain character, but he favoured the idea of the sharpener resembling a cooking object – rather than a machine.
Small alterations in size and weight were made to make the product stable enough not to require fixing to a table top. The advantages of the new design are numerous, but the most enduring feature is that the cook’s hand is now well away from the cutting area, resulting in a more safe and graceful product.
Awards
Design Plus Award, 2005
Permanent Collections
Museum fur Kunsthandwerk, Frankfurt
State Museum of Applied Arts and Design, Munich
The Art Institute of Chicago (AIC)
Exhibitions
Import Export, British Council, travelling, 2004
Some Recent Projects, Design Museum London, 2008
Super Normal, London / Milan, 2009
Films
