Elliot Hartwell

My work examines the parts that make a whole and how focusing on a single detail can provide endless results. The outcome is often a subtle intervention that draws attention to something hidden or disregarded.

'Planed & Grained' involves the accentuation of a prominent attribute of wood; its grain. We predominantly see this detail as a two-dimensional graphic that results from the planing process. By applying an abrasive brush to the planed timber, the softer part of the grain is removed to reveal the material’s natural hidden architecture. In this new state the material offers additional functional and aesthetic qualities. The raised grain provides an organic grip texture, an alternative to routing formal lines into the wood. The contrast of the planed and grained finishes on the same piece acts as a visualisation of its manufacturing process.

'Cause & Effect' appears to be an entirely different project yet involves the same approach of focusing on a single detail. In this case, the focus is the push-button. The push-button has come to be the predominant method of operating the products we use today. It replaced actions such as winding, twisting, pulling and dialling to offer a faster and effortless way of turning something on. 'Cause & Effect' examines what has been lost as a result of this and demonstrates how reconsidering this brief moment can influence emotionally responsive and more intuitive product behaviours.