Ewan Crallan

I am a designer / maker. 

My public showcase, KEEP, features both a family of extruded ceramic products and wooden furniture.

The furniture is made from locally sourced, discarded wood. Oak, MDF, plywood, and unknown. I was astonished at the volume of laser and CNC (computer numerical control) offcuts in the RCA studios – there was a vast supply of material with shapes removed heading to the bin every day. I hypothesised that I could re-cut a circle from these sheets to construct something new. I would use myself as a measure of the diameter of the circle, and thanks to the friendly technicians who put aside sheets containing my ‘bum-width’ (I supplied them with a measuring stick), after several months the stack of circles of wood, card, plastic, and paper had reached over 2m in height. The rule I set was that all materials had to be in the bin before I could use them.

I was intrigued by how I might stack these ‘circles’ and what the discarded shapes would look like once reconstructed. While cutting these circles I came across other discarded wood – off-cuts, etc. – and I expanded my process. The restrictions remained about everything being waste and locally sourced. I allowed a new element – legs. Eventually I moved to three-legged stools. In a bid to add value and longevity to these materials once considered ‘waste’, I have refinished all the stools with pigmented natural oil stain. I hope you enjoy sitting on them. 

The extruded clay form was inspired by a public performance I initiated, inviting strangers to draw a large circle with one swift rotation of one arm on a wall. Trials included using paint, chalk, pen, brushed ink, and spraycan. In solidifying this performance – the multiple circles created by so many different arm lengths, heights and stances used – the restriction of extruding developed into a huge area of study for me. Through this rheology – the science of the deformation of material – I experimented with the extruder die material and shape, as well as clay body and firing temperature in order to achieve a consistent output. The corrugated form I designed can be extruded and manipulated while wet and fired with least irregularities in the greatest number of ways. 

Mounted easily on the wall with custom metal brackets, a family of coloured shapes and sizes make up the range. The ceramic KEEP product allows you to elevate that special, precious thing you don’t know where to put. 

I get a lot of energy from collaborating with others, and I’m enthusiastic to see where a suggestion might go… Most recently I collaborated, designed, made, and exhibited with Karl Sebastian a lamp made from glass, brass, and steel. This will be on show at London Design Week 2023.

I make useful products for simple pleasures. I am enthused and energised by the connections between people and design. My work is playful and friendly. I believe that good design comes from a spirit of generosity in designing for others and that products can improve someone’s everyday experience.