Object, Hardware and The Space Between
This hardware driven design class will live in the Bot Lab, Wood and Metal studios, exploring the creative and structural possibilities of the interstitial space between glass, metal, wood, textiles, and found objects. Students will investigate joining, supporting, and displaying elements in sculptural or functional forms. Jay will act as atelier, producing designs, Jakub will pull it all together. Emphasis will be placed on material dialogue, conceptual development, and problem-solving in mixed-media construction. Through demonstrations, hands-on experimentation, and collaborative projects this class encourages innovative thinking and is ideal for design students interested in sculpture, lighting, installation, or interdisciplinary practices.
Jay Macdonell is the Director of Material Research and Development for Bocci, a process based design and architecture firm based in Vancouver, Berlin and Milan. He is a gaffer, designer, teacher and balances personal explorations with working for various artists, designers and architects as a project manager, design consultant and gaffer.
Jakub Pollág is a product designer based in Prague, Czechia. Founder of zeitgeist.limited, a design and manufacturing studio that seamlessly combines craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainability. His work brings together a deep understanding of production processes with a clear design language. Graduate from the Royal College of Art in London, Jakub gained hands-on experience with mass manufacturing at British brand Buster+Punch, co-founded Studio deFORM, and served as co-creative director at Czech glassworks BOMMA.
