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“Oh, you’re totally an Aesthete,” my friend declared, after surveying my apartment for the first time. “A what?” I asked. Frankly, I wasn’t sure whether to thank him or be insulted at first. But after he explained that it referred to someone who values beauty and highly regards how something looks, I was happy to embrace this new descriptor. After all, I was indeed someone who had spent weeks looking at sofa fabrics, would only buy a water bottle if it matched my car interior, and agonized over the design of even the smallest item in my home.
So you can imagine my excitement when I recently came across a brand that fully embraces the beauty of design while also elevating everyday objects. These aren't just great-looking items, but also highly useful additions for your desktop, home, pocket, travels, or personal entertainment. And luckily, you don’t have to be an aesthete to appreciate the blend of functionality, craftsmanship, and visual appeal that is Craighill.
We like
- Thoughtful design
- Well made with high-quality materials
- Products you can have forever
We don't like
- Some items are quite expensive
A Brand With Design In Its DNA
Founded in 2015 by two college friends, Hunter Craighill and Zach Fried, Craighill started with a simple question: how does creativity provide a path into commerce? The duo (one artistic, one musical) had a deep sense of curiosity and were compelled by beautiful things, how they are made, and what purpose they serve. But more than building a brand, they aimed to create a design and manufacturing company rooted in ingenuity, visual appeal, and satisfaction.
Their first product, the Wilson Keyring, certainly embodies that initial aim. Inspired by a simple piece of metal that was used to store trombone mouthpieces, they aimed to repurpose it for wider use. By modifying the design, they created a key ring from a cold rolled metal wire that uses tension to elegantly and securely keep keys in place. From that first design, the brand, and an innate connection between an object’s look, feel, and function, was formed.
A Painstaking Process of Creation
Craighill products are far from your average, everyday objects. Yes, they are packed with function and intended to really be used. But unlike most items on offer, every detail and component has been thought about, and even obsessed over. The process of product creation begins with words and images, and examining the practical and emotional goals. From there, the team deep dives into research, exploring photos, techniques, and materials. Sketches are created, then 3-D designs, then 3-D printed prototypes. (Sometimes, 20-30 prints are made of a single product.) When they’ve finalized the form, engineering and technical elements are then fine-tuned, and the item is ready for a final prototype.
The entire process can take up to a year (!) to complete, but Craighill wouldn’t have it any other way. They believe “responding to the tiny details is the difference between a good and a great product.” After seeing their products firsthand, I can indeed confirm that the painstaking design process has made for some supremely stylish and highly considered items.
Products That Feel Good (And Materials That Invite Touch)
When selecting materials for products, the brand focuses foremost on one thing: how they feel. They gravitate towards tactile materials that are notable and feel good in the hand. From stone to wood to metal to fabric, each material offers an invitation to connect to the item. Also, within the constellation of over 60 products on offer, how they physically feel remains the common thread that ties everything together.
Take the Radial Cuff for example. An elegant and precision-machined piece of curved metal, it has a smooth feel against your skin. The oval form easily contours to your wrist (and is available in 5 sizes), providing a stylish piece that doesn't demand attention, but will receive it nonetheless. Though it looks quite substantial, it feels rather delicate and light while wearing.
Another product whose use necessitates touch, the Arris Tote, is constructed of water-resistant nylon. Part of a larger collection that includes a duffle, backpack, and sling, the quilted construction is both pleasing and extra sturdy. However, I found I was most attracted to the rubberized nylon webbing used for the handles. They’re much more pleasing in hand than a cloth or nylon handle and are designed at an ideal length for over the shoulder and carrying at your side. The tote isn’t lacking in functionality either, with two interior side pockets and a zip pouch, which came in quite handy for stashing my phone and wallet on a recent outing.
Well-Designed Delights For Your Desktop
Craighil’s consideration for form and function also extends to a number of products created for any surface in your home or office. Among them are carefully crafted pens, elegant bookends, and eye-catching puzzles. A standout piece for me happens to be something I never knew I wanted (or needed): the Eyewear Stand is a simple, weighted metal cylinder with a notch at the top to perfectly hold a pair of glasses. This minimal perch has turned my sunglasses into a mini sculpture – and created a dedicated, design-forward spot for them to live.
For a more multi-purpose product, the Facet Bowl (available in wood or stone) is an ideal pick.
Inspired by topography, the gently curved vessels are like little islands that appear to float on a surface. It’s equally suited for a kitchen counter, an entryway, or a desktop, and since I’ve had mine, I’ve been moving it about my apartment, admiring it in each location. It certainly speaks to Crighill’s ability to make an everyday object that really comes alive through its form.
Bringing Even More Elevated Design To The Market
Not content with just resting on its existing product array, a big part of Craighill’s identity is keeping things interesting – and coming up with new ideas. Thus, they have a number of new products in the pipeline, from a new mechanical puzzle, ruler and caliber, and a supremely stylish magnifying glass. For the holiday season, they will also be launching a wine key with sommelier and winemaker Andre Mack.
In a disposable and oversaturated product market, it can be a real treat to discover an object that is more than just something to be used (and eventually tossed). Craighill’s products have longevity, masterfully bring together form and function, and encourage you to slow down, admire, and connect with how you experience an item. To touch, see, and feel, whether it’s a bag, keyring, pen, or bowl, is a pleasure definitely worth experiencing every day.
Shop Craighill’s full line here.
