“In January 2009, Zachary Feltoon launched David Zachary with David Wright, a fellow Industrial Design classmate at Pratt. Based in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the duo specializes in domestic interior products. Meanwhile, Zachary also designs for Domestic Aesthetic and is an active participant in Project H, NYC chapter, while serving as a TA for Abstract 3D design at Pratt Institute. We had the pleasure of hearing Zachary speak at this month’s IDNY meetup at Heller.

Through a brief anecdote, he explained what motivates him to design – and what he strives for when doing so.

When I was fourteen years old I had a ritual. Every morning I would wake up…have a bowl of cereal and use the exact same spoon that I had for my entire life. This one morning I wake up and I’m going through this same ritual – but I happen to pick out a different one and up until this point I hadn’t realized. But when I put the spoon into my mouth to take the first bite – something incredible happened. This was a better bite of cereal than I’ve ever had in my entire life.

What it made me realize, is that when you’re designing you can change the rituals that you go through every day. This is something that I really strive to think about in all of the projects that I do.

His Dual Height bench is no exception. Sure, it still provides the same primary function as a standard bench, but makes slight alterations to its form to improve upon the experience one has when using it. DHB “allows two sitters of different heights to sit comfortably and interact with each another,” Zachary explained. The design consists of 15 unique profiles in maple (beautifully produced using wood-joinery techniques) separated by mahogany spacers.

Fore more of his work, check out the video of Zachary’s short-but-sweet presentation from IDNY – and pay attention to his explanation of the TiZ Bed: Energy Reclamation System.”

Via: 3Rings

Written By: Jenny Rector

Photography: Holly Haffner.

Nesting Works Event sponsored by DWR | TFL and Housing Works to benefit AIDS research

“The Pratt Design Incubator”, founded and directed by Deb Johnson, “is a vibrant and energetic atmosphere supporting the entrepreneurial talents of designers, artists and architects selected from the Pratt community who share a common goal: linking the social entrepreneur with the business of design. The Incubator sponsors environmental, social and cultural initiatives and benefits from a growing network of legal, business, engineering and manufacturing experts.”

We are very excited to forge this new partnership and look forward to both the support of our fellow Incubees and the opportunity to give back to the academic and entrepreneurial communities that have already given us so much.

The thesis of this project is a reaction to the proliferation of media and the widespread use of personal mobile devices. It seems that everyone on the street is plugged in to a BlackBerry or iPod, insulating themselves from their environment. Interactions between people have also dwindled as emails and text messaging allow us to be that much more removed. The Wishbone Lollypop cuts through the noise and invites two people to come together, even for just a moment.

The Wishbone Lollypop (Red, Crushed Cinnamon Flavor)

Because this is the blog straight from the studio of David Zachary, we wanted to show you the process behind the Hang Out hook. This was a very hands-on process where we refined proportions and experimented with materials almost completely in 3 dimensions. Beginning with a 3 minute sketch that hung around the studio for a month or two and finishing with a fully resolved, elegant and structurally sound everyday object that is both exceptionally functional and eco-friendly.

Nesting dolls for DWR | TFL Auction supporting Housing Works

We are currently working in our studio at the Brooklyn Navy Yard designing a set of Matryoshka nesting dolls for the “Nesting Works” event with DWR | TFL in SoHo on July 23^rd at 7:00pm to 10:00pm. The dolls will be auctioned off at the event and will benefit Housing Works and their charities. Eight artists and designers were asked to participate in the event of which we are the only industrial designers. The event will have free refreshments and is open to the public. Come out and help us to support Housing Works by bidding on our dolls.