Designer: Ben Light
Link: blightdesign.com
Location: New York, NY
THE DESIGN
Design: Secret Passageway Switch
Materials: Brass, hinge, pull chain, string, electrical plug
Price Point: @ $50
"An electrical switch used to activate a secret passageway (or turn on a lamp). When placed in a bookshelf, this electrical switch uses your favorite hard-bound book, without damaging it, to conceal its true function."
• Ben's original entry with comments
THE VIDEO PITCH
STUDIO TOUR
I'm lucky enough to have access to three shops, two in New York, one in Pennsylvania. The shop in PA is a small shed in the Poconos where I do a lot of my bigger pieces. Another shop is at the Gowanus Studio Space (gowanusstudio.org), a fantastic place in Brooklyn that is packed with inspiring designers and artists. And the newest workspace is at the NYU Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP - itp.nyu.edu/itp/), I get to use laser cutters and CNC routers there. Like I said, I'm very lucky.
FAVORITE DESIGNER
MacGyver. I know he is not technically a designer, or even real for that matter. But the MacGyver character got me making and designing at a very young age. I still carry a Swiss Army knife around with me just in case I need to build some sort of contraption or dismantle a bomb.
FAVORITE DESIGN
The Eames Lounge Chair, it's a classic for a reason. It is not only beautiful but incredibly comfortable. Just about any Eames design can be considered a favorite, but ever since I've sat in one of these babies, I've been hooked.
• Design Showcase Main Page• Design Showcase Judges• VOTING ON ALL 6 FINALISTS BEGINS TUESDAY, 10/4 at 1pm
3 finalist entries will be posted on Monday, 10/3 3 more finalist entries will be posted on Tuesday, 10/4 VOTING CLOSES on Friday, 10/7 at 5:00 pm EST Two winners will be chosen: 1 judge favorite and 1 crowd favorite WINNERS ANNOUNCED on Friday
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He won me over at MacGyver.
Ben had one of the best designs from last years design showcase too. He is a fantastic designer. Best of luck to you Ben!
Another Angus-phile here. Good luck, Ben!!
I was lucky enough to meet Ben shortly after last year's design contest. He's a super nice guy and very deserving of the win. Best of luck!
His idea was the coolest and nicely done, but won me over was the picture of him working on the wood lathe (a JET 1642 I think, looks just like mine - a FINE lathe). A great tool that designers understand immediately (I'm no designer, just a hobbyist woodturner at night)
Hey, nice arms!