Aratani's Roommate lamp, which has a cloud-like shade of bent wire, and Fay's Lawless sofa, a rigid framework woven with foam ribbons, aren't obvious companions. But when the designers met at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, they discovered they had similar interests despite stylistic differences: a desire to break from the rigors of industrial design, make things by hand, and celebrate incongruities. Since graduating in 2016, they've shared a Detroit-area studio and resources while maintaining individual authorship of their creations.

We asked the breakout designers about who inspires them, their most treasured possessions, and what daily rituals get them in the zone. Read the answers below.

Hometown:

Aratani: Chiba Prefecture, Japan

Fay: Traverse City, Michigan

Current location:

Pontiac, Michigan

Something you always carry with you:

A: Pen and notebook.

First childhood memory related to design:

F: Building blanket forts.

Daily ritual to get into a creative space:

A: See the nature, feel the wind outside.

Musical artist or album that inspires you:

F: “We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service” by A Tribe Called Quest.

Person you most admire:

A: Ruth Adler Schnee.

Talent you would most like to have:

A: Communicating with any living things.

Your most treasured possession:

A: A letter from a friend.

Advice you would give yourself five years ago:

A: Believe yourself and keep going.

Describe your work in one word:

A and F: Irregularity.

Favorite or least favorite design trend:

A and F: Using natural, raw, authentic material.

You can follow Aratani Fay on their website or on Instagram.

Meet the rest of the Dwell 24, our selection of up-and-coming designers to watch in 2018.

Also Appears In

Dwell 24: Ayako Aratani and Evan Fay