Xander Bennett
BA Furniture & Product Design
I aim to create designs that provide functional integrity with an enduring aesthetic, positively changing people's lives in the way they interact with their environment, family and friends. I enjoy the challenge of solving problems simply and elegantly to produce considered and honest designs.
Rak
Rak is a range of modular and functional but versatile furniture which can be used in a number of settings and can be customised to suit the needs of the clients. Rak takes inspiration from the "make do and mend" generation of our grandparents, as well as the Shaker sect where furniture was simple, honest and functional. Rak can be added to and subtracted from to produce unique pieces of furniture. These are flat-packed so that Rak can always be part of your home, wherever that may be.
It is made from sustainably sourced wood and stainless-steel sheets which can be recycled. Having parts that are replaceable enables Rak to have longevity as product that can be repaired, renewed and evolve alongside the user.
Porta
Porta, is a portable rechargeable lamp which can be used both indoors as a bed side lamp or ambient lighting and for outdoors for summer evening parties or even at the beach. I wanted to create an object that would help the user feel a sense of wellbeing, comfort and companionship, choosing materials and textures which reflect that.
The organic feel of the Ash wood base marries with the smooth lines of the opaque 3D printed diffuser, housing the rechargeable LED light, creating a warm comforting glow.
A detachable cotton webbing handle allows the lamp to be transported and to be transformed into a minimalist table lamp. On top of the diffuser lies a wooden tray made again from Ash, which allows the user to place items such as keys or phones or other essentials of modern day life. The lamp has been designed with sustainability in mind; FSC sourced wood, the diffuser printed with biodegradable 3D filament and rechargeable, long life LED lights. The lamp has been designed to be made with detachable parts, to increase its longevity but to allow subsequent generations to replace parts and keep 'passing the torch'.