NOVEMBER 2015 - DECEMBER 2017
In order to truly understand furniture design/production, I firmly believe you need to put in the hours of production labor. The 4 hours of sanding are just as important as the CAD design from the comfort of your desk chair. From the tight corners on the band saw, to changing the blades on the jointer, and even losing part of your finger to the table saw; building brings you closer to the reality of making furniture.
At Ross Alan Reclaimed I was a master craftsman first and foremost. I developed designs in SketchUp, and I managed projects as the Production Manager, but I was in the shop milling and building everyday. Please excuse the beard; it came with the territory.
The rustic aesthetic of reclaimed furniture does not lessen the precision involved in fabrication. On the contrary, the material needs to be very carefully selected, and even more thoughtfully milled. I apply the same precision and high-end quality control regardless the asethetic.
When it came to larger installs, the client or designer needed dimensioned approvals. As much as I love the shop floor, creating in CAD is so satisfying and allows a dynamic between ideation and execution that leaves no question unanswered.