The Story:

Steven Tomlinson and Jeannie Choe both earned their BFAs in Industrial Design from the prestigious Pratt Institute in 2003. They soon founded The Design Can, a firm that celebrates a lighter, but just as beautiful, side of design.

[Jeannie and Steven in the May 2006 issue of New York Magazine]

While growing The Design Can, Steven had many experiences with fabrication and carpentry, especially while seeing through “The Gates” project (NYC 2005) from beginning to end as a skilled craftsman and creative problem-solver. He has also worked on projects dealing with graphic/print design, branding, and product development. Jeannie, meanwhile, has had a variety of professional experiences, including exhibit, interior, and print design, as well as branding and product development. Her clients include Federated, Macy’s Home Store, Watermark Designs, and The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. Follow Function got the opportunity to probe their brains, and this was the result:

Q. Many of your products are designed with a certain level of humor. Was that one of the original goals when The Design Can was founded?

A. We certainly encourage the feeling of joy/humor/curiosity in the user. We most definitely design with that in mind- all the time, every time.

Q. Has any sad person/professor ever tried to tell you that design should not be funny?

A. It happens. However, we are never swayed by such comments, as we strongly believe in what we do. Moreover, I think this mirror would fit nicely into all modern bedrooms.

Q. I feel a little like I know the designers when I look at your products. Do you gravitate towards design that is infused with a lot of the designer's personality?

A. While we both have an excellent sense of humor, we are polar opposites when it comes to personality; therefore the blend is unique and fresh.

Q. Are there any designers or products that influence your work or the way you think?

A. We reference things to design on a daily basis- we don't discriminate. Our inspiration is derived from a myriad of experiences and thoughts jumbled up in our brains. We have the most respect for those designers and artists who obviously don't give a rat’s ass about what anyone thinks- and they do their art/design because they feel strongly about it and are honest about it.

Q. How many hours a week do you work? Have there been any obstacles in your quest to design a product for The Design Can?

A. We both work other jobs in order to survive in this crazy city. We spend every waking moment of free time that we have available in dedication to The Design Can. Our main obstacles are financial, but that is slowly improving with increased media exposure and product distribution. The biggest obstacle, of course, is being discovered and being offered that "big break" opportunity. We're patient though, and we're working on it.