Grovemade
Andy Robertson
Opening the packaging, unwrapping the cellophane, untwisting the
cable ties and key-cutting tape is as much a part of the technology ritual as meditating on which
device to buy in the first place.
But that first whiff of silica gel and plastic-infused air can
seem a little sterile. Technology has come to mean sleek, metallic
and smooth. Impersonal by definition of its mass
production.
This Christmas I've found the perfect antedote: a selection of
handmade wooden products from Grovemade. As described on the
website, the team is "a family of creators -- close knit and a
little crazy -- handcrafting goods at our workshop in Portland,
Oregon".
The products in question are various Apple-related items that inject some handmade
love into iMacs, MacBooks and iPhones. I've been trying out their Desk
furniture and it's been like having a new friend in the
office.
The Keyboard Tray adds a Maple outer to the standard Mac
keyboard. But not only this, once inserted the keyboard can be
hinged up to store space batteries and bits and bobs underneath.
I've also got the Wrist Pad that extends the Tray for more
comfortable typing.
The Monitor stand extends my Maple makeover and for the first
time puts my iMac at the right height for better posture.
Conveniently, it also creates space underneath to store the
Keyboard Tray when not in use.
It's all very functional but that's not why I have become so
attached to it. Bringing these handmade items into my workspace has
made it feel more creative, less metallic and (if it doesn't sound
too grandiose) more human.
Don't
miss
These aren't perfect products, but not in the focus group
critique kind of way. The imperfections here speak of the process
and the people who made these products. The wood has a grain that
is allowed to show through, the cork and leather and metal join
neatly but not always seamlessly. The dimensions feel precise but
offer a little give one way and another in a way that machined
products iterate out.
These aren't the cheapest additions to my working setup but I
can see the price in the effort that's gone into making them. As
Grovemade puts it, "sometimes the best way is the hard way", I am
inclined to agree.
Next up from them is an iPhone 6 case and a Watch that promises something of an
alternative (antithesis?) to the Apple Watch.
Source Article from http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2014-12/30/grovemade-takes-tech-back-to-earth http://cdni.wired.co.uk/620x413/g_j/Gove2.jpg
Grovemade's wooden accessories bring tech back to earth
No comments:
Post a Comment