Design
Why a Spoon’s Bowl Curves the Way It Does
Why a spoon’s bowl curves the way it does affects spills, scooping and serving. Read its depth, edge and profile to…
The reading shelf
All pieces
Browse writing on materials, design, craft, object histories and the visual culture of the things around us.
Materials
Wood, Metal or Silicone: Choosing a Spatula for the Job
Choose a wood, metal or silicone spatula by matching its material and shape to your cooking tasks, pan-care rules and…
Object Histories
The Long Life of the Button
The long life of the button reveals how ornament became a clothing fastener and how material, placement and…
Visual Culture
The Handmade Look Is Not the Same as Handmade
The handmade look is not proof of hand production. Learn how to assess a surface, weigh competing explanations and…
Craft
A Closer Look at a Chair Before You Sit
Use this chair observation exercise to map a seat’s parts, visible structure and relation to its room, then write a…
Our point of view
Objects make human choices visible
A handle, seam or hinge is a decision you can inspect. We look at objects as made things, shaped by materials, skills and the ways people use them.