Hey, Maker! 8 Quick Questions with Colin of Paramorph

Welcome to Hey, Maker! our (sometimes) weekly feature showcasing the awesome artisans we carry at Apartment 528. Follow along for Q+As, home & studio tours, and instagram takeovers. 

This week we're getting to know Colin Deckner of Paramorph. His original, geometric designs have been transformed into shelves, tables, stools, and more. Shop Paramorph at our Chicago storefront or online at apt528.com. And don't forget to follow along as Colin takes over our instagram.

MORE MAKER FEATURES:

   === Paramorph Apartment Takeover on instagram

   === past maker features, Q+As, and tours

   === past instagram takeovers

First important question, what word do you hate and why?

It’s more of a term. I absolutely hate “like­-minded.” For me it’s a pretty good tell that the person I’m talking to has no idea what they’re talking about. As soon as I hear someone talk about the desire to bring together the “like­-minded” I run, because the next thing that person asks for is free work. Even though I agree with the sentiment, I much prefer “competent” people who aren’t afraid to speak their minds and disagree.

When you're not busy working, what do you do to relax?

I eat! I work a full time job, a part time job, and Paramorph in between. Since I don’t have much time off the clock, I eat well on my lunch breaks and dinner and I eat as much as I can. I try to cook 2­ to 3 times a week, mostly pizza. The other day I made my own paneer for the first time. It’s so easy I’ll probably do it again soon. I also found a good portobello burger recipe that I’m sure to make again.

If you could learn any craft or skill in minutes, what would it be?

How to pour a leaf in a latte. I say this because I tried it every day for a year and still couldn’t do it. After a while I started posting a bunch of my fails to annoy my friends but then the captions got too real about the artist struggle.




You're an architect by trade. What led you to start Paramorph?

Paramorph started in my last year of architecture school. I have a studied architecture at CCA in San Francisco. I was in a relationship with my college sweetheart and we were building our nest, I really enjoyed building things for us. Finding a job sucks, you might have had the same experience. For every 4 jobs I applied to I’d get 1 interview. I was told those were good numbers. Most of the jobs I applied to said things like “wow this is really cool work but we just want more clean line modernism, because that’s what our clients ask for.” Hearing that so many times really drove it home that the majority of people’s tastes haven’t come around to “parametric” design yet. This is where the ethos of Paramorph comes from - the goal was to build parametric design culture from the bottom up by making small scale work that people would want in their homes.

The piece that started Paramorph - a custom bar table in his San Francisco apartment.

What was the first piece you ever designed and built? Do you still have it?

I have a small wooden box I made in elementary school. I still use it. The first thing I ever drew out then built was a really really terrible quarter pipe so me and my friends could drop in on our razor scooters. This was like 1999 or 2000. This was not the last really awful skate­ ramp I built. (HAHA!)

The lines and shapes you use in your work are so natural and organic. How do you keep coming up with new, original forms?

I created a process of branching forms, so rather than creating a drawing with dimensions, I set up parameters and let the forms play themselves out. After making enough of the shelves, I started seeing patterns emerging, so it’s not completely random. In production right now there are many products that use digital fabrication techniques to mass produce the same object over and over. This misses the point of the technology which was to allow us to customize each product to the user’s needs. Paramorph is 100% pro digital fabrication, but with an emphasis on the human element of parametric design thinking and the proper use of craft, I don’t CNC (computerized wood cutting machine) unless it is the best use of my resources.

When you're creating a table or shelf, do you often imagine it in one of the buildings you designed, or vice versa?

No never. I’m more inclined to think of how these things could fit into existing homes. I try to make things as functional as possible. I see my shelves in someone’s kitchen holding spices, or utensils with oven­ mitts or towels hung from the bars. Or maybe in the bathroom holding towels and a candle on the shelf. Or even a shelf in the bedroom next to the mirror with make­up on top and the one or two outfits you’re thinking about wearing being hung from the bars.

What's next for Paramorph in the coming year? Any new products or projects in the works?

I’m just gonna make a list:

1. Bookcase
2. Guitar Stands
3. Media Console
4. Pot­Rack
5. Table Legs
6. Desks
7. More Coffee Tables

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Thanks for following along, and thanks to Colin for letting us pick his brain! Head to apt528.com to shop Paramorph shelves. After that, check out our past maker features:

   === Paramorph Apartment Takeover on instagram

   === past maker features, Q+As, and tours

   === past instagram takeovers

   >>> SHOP apt528.com

8 Questions With: Amelia of Vectorcloud

Today we welcome our newest designer, Vectorcloud. We've been following Vectorcloud for over a year now, waiting for the perfect moment to bring them over to Apt528. I'm a sucker for anything mid-century so their retro-styled bamboo desk and wall clocks immediately caught my eye. But my current Vectorcloud favorite has to be the custom engraved, wood floppy disk coasters. The 80's-inspired coasters are perfect for keeping for yourself or giving to friends as a personalized housewarming/wedding gift.

 Now it's time to get to know Amelia, the woman behind Vectorcloud, with a little Q+A.

1)  We always start with the good stuff. So, if you could die your hair any color under the sun, what would it be? Hmm. Purple has always been one of my favorite colors. My hair has always been black, but a little highlight of purple may be cool. 

2)What design trends are your most and least favorites? I'm currently loving all the retro inspired patterns and color blocking. I'm very glad that big shoulder pads never made a return.  

3)  Everyone has a favorite room or piece of furniture. What's yours? I love our danish inspired hutch. It was actually left behind by the previous tenant, which makes it even better :D 

4)  How did you get started in woodwork and laser-cutting in particular? I took woodworking when I was at Parsons studying product design. I'm always fascinated with furniture especially wood. One time I worked at a non-profit organization, teaching kids how to use CAD programs and all the different design projects that you can create using CNC router and laser machines. I became very familiar with the process and was inspired to start a line of products myself. 

5)  Vectorcloud's such a neat name. Where'd it come from? Does it have a special meaning? I wanted a name that gives a little insight of what I do, yet at the same time, doesn't sound too serious or 'techy'. Vector is a type of drawing that I have to create to run the machine and cloud just sound so 'light and playful'.

6)  What's your favorite thing to watch or listen to while you work? Because I work from my home studio, I usually watch my son play while I'm working on the computer.  

7)  Your designs are so neat and fresh but with a retro spin. Do you consider yourself a mid-century lover? What's your favorite design period? Definitely. My work is very much inspired by mid-century design. I love how wood was utilized and transformed into beautiful furniture during that period of time.  

8)  What's next for Vectorcloud? Any new products on the horizon? At the moment, half of my work is based on custom orders and I am exploring the different ways I can expand that. I'm looking into wedding decorations among others.


>>>SHOP VECTORCLOUD

Studio Tour: Cordinate's Lofty Studio

Happy Friday!

Today we're taking a peek at the studio of Cordinated creators Juli and Dan.  I love the bright colors and the bookcase filled with yarn.  I don't knit or sew but it definitely makes me want to learn!

By the way, we're offering FREE SHIPPING all weekend!  Enter "FREESHP" at checkout to save on your favorite handmade and vintage goodies, including colorful headphones and iCords from Cordinated and new vintage housewares.

>>>SHOP Apt528
>>>SHOP Cordinated
>>>8 Questions With: Juli and Dan of Cordinated

8 Questions With: Juli and Dan of Cordinated

***WARNING***  Reading this Q+A will cause you to feel lazy and unaccomplished, giving you a desire to finish all the projects on your list.  Proceed with caution!

Monday, we introduced you to Cordinated, the newest company to be added to our stable of amazing designers. Their yarn-wrapped cords give your electronics a big boost of color and turn them in to works of art.  What we didn't know at the time was just HOW amazing Cordinated is.  Creators Juli and Dan are quite possibly the busiest people in the world.  Don't believe me?  Read down a bit and see just how many projects Juli has going on.  I got tired just reading it all!  Thankfully, they still have time to make sure your headphones are wrapped in cozy sweaters and your iThings are never without their colorful cords.

We always ask the most important questions first. So, mayonnaise or Miracle Whip?
We are a no mayo or miracle whip household.  (As a HUGE Miracle Whip lover, I'm a little hurt.  I'll try to soldier on!)

I know it's hard to play favorites, but what's your favorite room in your house and why? What room do you try to avoid?
My favorite room is my living room. It's the only one I feel I have successfully "decorated" The rest of my house I like to refer to as "flex-space"

We hear you've got a lot going on (grad school, work, Cordinate). What else do you have going on?
Here is the master list:

• Grad School
• Being a band called Ham Siobam
• Office Job
• Food Delivery Job
• Running Cordinated
• Slowly phasing out my vintage shop
• Freelance web work

Wow. You guys do EVERYTHING! How do you relax at the end of the day?
Watching Netflix keeps me sane. Even if it's 1 am and I just finished my work for the day. I always make sure to wind down with an episode of Mad Men. I've also been watching a cheesy teen drama called Make It Or Break It about 4 teen girls who are training to go to the olympics in gymnastics. It is fantastic(ly cheesy)!

We love your fun, colorful headphones and iphone cables. What else do you guys make?
We actually started by making our own guitar cables and have just recently expanded our line to headphones earbuds and iPod cables. We actually hand solder all of our instrument cables. This makes them last longer because we make them right, the cables you buy at the store for cheap usually break really quickly.

How did Cordinated get started? What inspired you?
I am a musician. And I love color. I am a bass player and all the equipment that comes with playing bass is designed to look very "rugged" or like a monster truck. I'm a girl, and I wanted to make at least a small piece of my gear look good. So I wrapped it in yarn! I had so much fun making it I thought others would enjoy it. And I'm still making them so something must have clicked. I am inspired by all musical gear that incorporates design as well as well designed electronics. I'm a bit of a tech geek.

With music being at the root of Cordinated, I have to ask, what tunes get you moving and grooving while you work?
Recently I have been listening to a lot of St. Vincent. I love new music that sounds different than anything I have ever heard before. I value artists that break the mold and are genre defying. I also like music you can dance to, but is not technically described as "dance music". I'm a sucker for an upbeat and I tend to lean towards songs that are arranged well.

Close your eyes and make believe you no longer have a plate full of activities. (Crazy, I know!) What would be next on your list?
Oh! I started a project before I started grad school and I've been itching to finish it. I'm repainting some old shelves I had as a kid and turning them into side tables. I wish I could finish them because I have so many books for school that I could store in them when I'm finished instead of having them clutter my desk.

I also would love to do some music based visual art. I've had this idea to map out the arrangements of songs I like graphically and see what shape they take. That would be my next shop if Cordinated somehow got put on hold. It would be more "fine-art". No one is allowed to steal that idea!  (You heard it here first folks.  I'd better not see this idea anywhere on the market...idea stealers are NOT cool!)

Another thing I've wanted to do is have more live shows in my "flex-space" I think I'd make a pretty good booking agent and it would be fun to have friends come over more often to listen to some tunes.

I also want to travel more and get a dog.

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Didn't I tell you they're crazy busy?!  Before you feel the need to finish all your to-do's, grab your own iCords, headphones, and earbuds at the Apartment 528 store.

>>Shop Cordinated

Handmade Designer of the Month: Cordinated

Today we're welcoming our newest designer, Cordinated!

We've been stalking Cordinated for over a year now.  We fell in love with their brightly wrapped cords and knew we just HAD to have them for Apartment 528.  Now our dream has finally come true!

Cordinated was started by Juli and Dan, two musicians tired of the standard boring black cables in their Chicago apartment.  Their solution?  Juli started wrapping their cables in yarn while Dan, an engineer, soldered the connections for better quality.  Thankfully they were smart enough to realize that others were looking for the same colorful designs and thus, Cordinated was born.  Lucky for us, they've also expanded from music cables to include extras like headphones, earbuds, and iCord cables (compatible with the iPhone, iPod, and iPad) for those of us who like to listen to music in style!

Stop by the store now to grab your own iCords available now in a variety of colors, or to pre-order earbuds and headphones for shipping on October 31st.  Gift a cord or keep a pair for yourself!

SHOP Cordinated

8 Questions With: Ashley and Todd of Branch Handmade

You've been snatching up tea towels from Branch Handmade like crazy.  Now it's time to peek into the lives of the creatives behind the brand, Ashley and Todd, our designers of the month!  Don't forget to VOTE in this month's You Decide where you choose which new Branch Handmade products will make it into the Apartment 528 Store.  Each vote qualifies you for a chance to win $10 in store credit!



First, the important things.  Coffee or tea?
Coffee. I need my one cup every morning or the day just doesn't start out right! 

What's the song you can't live without right now?
I’m not the music person in the family. So I’m going to have to differ to Todd on this one- he loves music and usually has something playing in the house at all times…Todd says Ashville Blues, Pete Bernhard

Of all the furniture in your house, what's your favorite piece?
That’s like asking someone which of their kids is their favorite! Most of the furniture in our house is custom made- things that I helped design, choose the fabrics, so just about everything is one of a kind. I would probably say that my favorite piece is our Isamu Noguchi coffee table. I coveted it from afar for years and was so excited when we finally put it in our living room! 

What's your favorite design trend?
I don’t really have a favorite or least favorite design trend. I think trends in general should be used sparingly to accent classic looks. For example buy a really basic neutral sofa and pump it up with trendy pillows or throws that can be changed out as the seasons or trends change. 

What's your LEAST favorite design trend?
See above.

The images you use on your clothing and housewares are super fun and quirky.  How do you come up with the graphics?
Todd and I will usually brain storm ideas for designs or hit flea markets and antique shops for inspiration. We have pages of lists of things we are inspired by, we see, or we think would make a great design.  We will sit and throw them back and forth. We come from different perspectives as far as what would be a successful design and usually the prints that are actually created have to pass the test of what we think will be sellable to our clients and what we think will look good and be interesting. I think our different aesthetics are a major contributing factor to the success of our line.

How did the two of you meet and how did you come up with the name Branch Handmade?
Really you want to know how we met? YES!! Ok you know that story boy meets girl in a bar… in our case that’s true. We met about 10 years ago in a bar in San Francisco’s China town. Working on creative projects together has been a consistent aspect of our relationship and when we launched Branch Handmade it was like all the things that we are good at on our own could be combined for something better. We came up with the name because one of our early designs was the tree silhouette print from a tree in our front yard- I would always admire its amazing branches and so Branch Handmade was born. 

You started with pillowcases and now you carry everything from tea towels to super cute lounge pants.  What's next for Branch Handmade?
Branch Handmade has slowly evolved over the last 4 years. We have some new ventures up our sleeve, new prints and new products on their way- but nothing that we are ready to unveil just yet!

Now that you know a little more about Ashley and the super elusive Todd, head over to the store and shop Branch Handmade!

8 Questions With: Valéry Goulet of Valerydesignwrks

Valery

Yesterday, we showed you Valerydesignwrks, the new indie Canadian brand currently available in the Apt528 Store.  We invited you to vote on which VDW pillow makes it into the store! Today we're introducing you to Valéry Goulet, the uber talented illustrator/designer behind the pillows, plates, and decals we've come to love.  So grab a drink, sit back, and get to know our new friend!


Q: What's your favorite piece of furniture in your house?

Valéry:  I actually really like my dining room set. It reminds me a lot of the set that my parents had when I was born. They also had a similar lamp but it was bright orange. I like the rounded table and the molded chairs.

Of all the materials you work with, which is your favorite?

I love to work with fabric. Fabric is as interesting than paper because it comes in different colours and textures. The same illustration printed on silk and on an heavy textured fabric will look totally different and it is nice to play with this aspect. 

I have an upcoming project, which I will keep secret until it is completed, that is made with fabric. I am really excited about it. 

Design trend you hate the most?

I am trying to think of any current trend I dislike and none of them are coming to mind. I think most of the trends are very interesting but you have to be able to replicate them properly. 

There is a style of lamp I don't like that a lot of people have in their place. The Torchière style floor lamp. I am not sure why but I haven't found one that looks good or brings something great to the room (other than light).

Valérydesignwrks is all about being eco-friendly. What's the best green tip we can use around the house?

It is quite easy to get rid of things and I am a person that won't keep things just because. But when I get rid of something, most of the time I will offer it to someone I think might be interested or a non-profit organization. Garbage is always my very last option. 

What's your favorite color to use in your illustrations?

Lately, I have been using more yellow in my illustrations but it might be because I am so looking forward to the summer and the bright and yellow sun. The colours I use are often related to the way I feel. Today, I feel red. I have a lot or energy :).

Many of your designs feature animals. Which animal is your favorite?

I don't have a favorite animal since I find them all interesting. I like the ones that I don't know very much. Those weird creatures that I am not used to and I can learn a lot about. At home, I have a dog, a parrot, a tortoise and a snake.

What music's playing in your studio while you work?

Lately, I haven't listened to a lot of music while working. My bird is often with me and we whistle together. 'Whistle while you work Ta dada da da da da' 

You've illustrated and designed everything from water bottles to wall decals. What's next on your list?

I am currently looking into multiple options. I need to find a product that is affordable for me and my clients and doesn't require to be mass produced. I would love to be able to illustrate on furniture such as chairs, tables, desks and couches. 

I don't know about you, but I love Valéry and hope we eventually get to meet her tortoise!  For more on Valerydesignwrks, read Valéry's bio and shop her line of products featuring original illustrations and designs! You can also vote on which of her fun pillow covers makes it into the Apartment 528 Store!  Click here to vote. Meanwhile, I'll be trying to figure out how to get an accent over my "e" so I can properly spell "Valery" without having to cut and paste...

Handmade Designer of the Month: Valerydesignwrks

Today, the Apartment 528 Store is happy to welcome our first Handmade Designer of the Month, Valerydesignwrks!

Pit Pat Plate

Valerydesignwrks was founded by Valéry Goulet, an illustrator and designer with a passion for green living.  That's right, not only are their plates, wall decals, and pillows the perfect accessory for your apartment, but they're also made of recycled and/or recyclable materials and created on demand to eliminate waste!  That means you can shop guilt-free :)

As part of our Designer of the Month series, we're asking you to help us decide which product from our featured designer goes into the Apartment 528 Store!  While we've already selected several awesome  Valerydesignwrks products, we'd like you to help us pick which pillow makes it in.  

Take a look at the three pillow designs below (available in multiple colors), then vote in our poll at the bottom.  The poll will close Sunday night and I'll post the results Monday morning.  Happy voting!

Dinoz-O Pillow Cover (in both yellow and turquoise) 

Oiso Pillow Cover (front and back)

Pit Pat Pillow Cover (available in Black, Brown, and White)

Which Valerydesignwrks pillow cover would you like to see in the Apt528 Store?