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The Project,
Declassified is a design project exploring how processes of interaction and discovery around an artefact can make that object more valuable. This theme is being explored through the use of secret compartments in furniture: exploring how people interact with and enjoy the surprises and process of discovery. My goal was to merge the sense of joy and satisfaction gained from completing a puzzle or challenge with the interaction the user has with a piece of fine furniture. Making the furniture unique, fun, and more valuable. In addition to the joy of discovering or interacting with a secret compartment such an addition can also be valuable in a very practical way. Storing valuables or personal items, keeping infrequently used things tucked away out of sight, or even just a party trick to share with friends and family. For these pieces to retain their use and value as pieces of furniture it was essential to me that the core function of the product was not undermined by the secret compartments, the pieces can still be used for their original purpose with no problem. In this way the additions only ever enhance the experience of using the product. The culmination of this project was the production of the custom poker box and two bespoke handmade wallets, all with secret compartments just waiting to be discovered.
The Products:
Poker box

The Poker box is a custom Games box designed to fit all the essentials needed for a game of poker. Made of Sapele and Cherry, with a Sapele, Walnut and Maple parquetry lid, the box holds 100 Bicycle brand poker chips, 2 decks of premium Bicycle playing cards and 3 custom leather buttons for the Dealer, Big blind and Small blind.

 

  The interior is upholstered with a green felt reminiscent of the felt of a poker table, contains a card holder in stunning bird's-eye Maple, and a removable chip tray in flame Walnut and Bronze.

 

  Concealed within this box are also two hidden compartments, one to hold your winnings or hide your secret documents, and a further concealed tray hiding five special custom printed chips for when you need an emergency bailout or want to up the stakes of a game. Can you guess where? Head to the interactive discovery experience to explore the box and find out.

Bifold Wallet

This custom leather wallet is of a bifold design, the interior sporting a 3-slot card holder, coin pocket and fabric lined notes sleeve. The exterior of this wallet is decorated in a bold pattern of alternating natural leather and blue-dyed chevrons, giving the wallet a unique and bold appearance as well as enhancing the tactility and texture of the design. In addition to the pockets and sleeves already mentioned, this wallet conceals an additional three compartments! A second notes sleeve, and two extra pockets for cards manage to fit into this slim, simple design. Perfect for keeping drivers licences, a second card or that cash you keep "in case of emergencies" out of sight and out of mind.

Coin Wallet

This adaptation of a traditional design allows you to quickly and easily find the correct coins without having to fish blindly through a coin pocket. The coins easily slide out into the cover/tray when opened, allowing you to see every coin individually. This sleek design is very compact but still has room for a three-slot card holder. The wallet also manages to squeeze in a secret pocket with an ingenious opening mechanism to conceal notes within the design. Finally, due to the fold over design of the wallet, once closed there is no way for coins or cards to fall out or get lost.

The Maker:

Hi! I'm Dan, a 21-year-old designer and furniture maker studying at the University of Plymouth in the UK.

 

I’m never happier than when I’m in a workshop with a tool in my hand, experimenting with new ideas or techniques and generally making a mess! You can normally navigate your way to my desk in either the studio or workshop by looking for the piles of wood shavings, prototypes, tools, diagrams and/or general chaos.

 

Making, the use and manipulation of tools and processes to transform a raw material into a finished, refined product, That is my passion. How traditional techniques can be brought forward into contemporary design. I love making by hand- this way each piece is closely connected to the maker in a unique and personal way. My experience and experimentation span many different mediums- primarily wood, but also metals, plastics and leather. I can be quite eclectic in my work: I’m equally happy pounding metal in a forge or turning accurate metal components on a lathe, hewing rough forms with an axe or spending hours doing a detailed carving.

 

Growing up in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, and I was lucky enough to spend my childhood outside in the woods and the mud. I feel most at home when outside in nature, and I try to show this connection to the natural world in my design work and material choices.

 

The debate can frequently be heard in design: form before function or function before form? I try to find the perfect mix, a balance of form and function where a piece of furniture can be considered beautiful, but that beauty does not affect or impact the functionality of the piece.

 

I like clean, simple design, that lets the inherent beauty of the material speak for itself, and I firmly believe in durable, lasting design which, through the use of quality materials and traditionally inspired process, can produce products to last a lifetime.

 

The Project,
Declassified is a design project exploring how processes of interaction and discovery around an artefact can make that object more valuable. This theme is being explored through the use of secret compartments in furniture: exploring how people interact with and enjoy the surprises and process of discovery. My goal was to merge the sense of joy and satisfaction gained from completing a puzzle or challenge with the interaction the user has with a piece of fine furniture. Making the furniture unique, fun, and more valuable. In addition to the joy of discovering or interacting with a secret compartment such an addition can also be valuable in a very practical way. Storing valuables or personal items, keeping infrequently used things tucked away out of sight, or even just a party trick to share with friends and family. For these pieces to retain their use and value as pieces of furniture it was essential to me that the core function of the product was not undermined by the secret compartments, the pieces can still be used for their original purpose with no problem. In this way the additions only ever enhance the experience of using the product. The culmination of this project was the production of the custom poker box and two bespoke handmade wallets, all with secret compartments just waiting to be discovered.
The Products:
Poker box
Bifold Wallet
Coin Wallet
The Maker:
The Project,
Declassified is a design project exploring how processes of interaction and discovery around an artefact can make that object more valuable. This theme is being explored through the use of secret compartments in furniture: exploring how people interact with and enjoy the surprises and process of discovery. My goal was to merge the sense of joy and satisfaction gained from completing a puzzle or challenge with the interaction the user has with a piece of fine furniture. Making the furniture unique, fun, and more valuable. In addition to the joy of discovering or interacting with a secret compartment such an addition can also be valuable in a very practical way. Storing valuables or personal items, keeping infrequently used things tucked away out of sight, or even just a party trick to share with friends and family. For these pieces to retain their use and value as pieces of furniture it was essential to me that the core function of the product was not undermined by the secret compartments, the pieces can still be used for their original purpose with no problem. In this way the additions only ever enhance the experience of using the product. The culmination of this project was the production of the custom poker box and two bespoke handmade wallets, all with secret compartments just waiting to be discovered.
The Products:
Poker box
Bifold Wallet
Coin Wallet
The Maker:
The Project,
Declassified is a design project exploring how processes of interaction and discovery around an artefact can make that object more valuable. This theme is being explored through the use of secret compartments in furniture: exploring how people interact with and enjoy the surprises and process of discovery. My goal was to merge the sense of joy and satisfaction gained from completing a puzzle or challenge with the interaction the user has with a piece of fine furniture. Making the furniture unique, fun, and more valuable. In addition to the joy of discovering or interacting with a secret compartment such an addition can also be valuable in a very practical way. Storing valuables or personal items, keeping infrequently used things tucked away out of sight, or even just a party trick to share with friends and family. For these pieces to retain their use and value as pieces of furniture it was essential to me that the core function of the product was not undermined by the secret compartments, the pieces can still be used for their original purpose with no problem. In this way the additions only ever enhance the experience of using the product. The culmination of this project was the production of the custom poker box and two bespoke handmade wallets, all with secret compartments just waiting to be discovered.
The Products:
Poker box
Bifold Wallet
Coin Wallet
The Maker:
The Project,
Declassified is a design project exploring how processes of interaction and discovery around an artefact can make that object more valuable. This theme is being explored through the use of secret compartments in furniture: exploring how people interact with and enjoy the surprises and process of discovery. My goal was to merge the sense of joy and satisfaction gained from completing a puzzle or challenge with the interaction the user has with a piece of fine furniture. Making the furniture unique, fun, and more valuable. In addition to the joy of discovering or interacting with a secret compartment such an addition can also be valuable in a very practical way. Storing valuables or personal items, keeping infrequently used things tucked away out of sight, or even just a party trick to share with friends and family. For these pieces to retain their use and value as pieces of furniture it was essential to me that the core function of the product was not undermined by the secret compartments, the pieces can still be used for their original purpose with no problem. In this way the additions only ever enhance the experience of using the product. The culmination of this project was the production of the custom poker box and two bespoke handmade wallets, all with secret compartments just waiting to be discovered.
The Products:
Poker box
Bifold Wallet
Coin Wallet
The Maker: